Angie has been helping her father translate from Cantonese ever since they arrived in Canada. Going to school has helped her learn English more quickly, and she assists with reading menus and labels, and in conversations. When helping her dad make signs for his workplace, she gets the idea to help other Chinese business owners with signs, like writing the daily specials in English on the sandwich board for Mrs. Fong’s canteen. However, when one of Angie’s laundromat instructions accidentally shrinks a customer’s laundry, Angie needs her dad to help smooth things over with Mr. Chu. To Angie’s surprise, Mr. Chu and her dad start speaking Hakka, discovering that they grew up in the same area. This time, Angie’s dad is the one whose language skills make a connection and Angie is the one dependent on his translation. Intentional use of Chinese characters and English text in italics reinforces dialog and language differences in this thoughtful immigration story that concludes with a note from the author. (Ages 5-10)

"Beautifully written and illustrated....I am so glad this book exists in the world."—Bao Phi, author of the Caldecott Honor and Zolotow Award-winning A Different Pond

A young girl helps her dad navigate life in a new country where she understands the language more than he does, in an unforgettable story about communication and community.

Angie is used to helping her dad. Ever since they moved to Canada, he relies on her to translate for him from English to Chinese. Angie is happy to help: when they go to restaurants, at the grocery store, and, one day, when her dad needs help writing some signs for his work.

Building off her success with her dad’s signs, Angie offers her translation skills to others in their community. She’s thrilled when her new business takes off, until one of her clients says he’s unhappy with her work. When her dad offers to help, she can’t imagine how he could. Working together, they find a surprising solution, fixing the problem in a way Angie never would have predicted.

A gorgeously illustrated picture book from up-and-coming author-illustrator Jack Wong (When You Can Swim, Scholastic) that is at once a much-needed exploration of the unique pressures children of immigrants often face, a meditation on the dignity of all people regardless of their differences, and a reminder of the power of empathy.