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Critically Recognized
  • Gibberish by Young Vo book cover
  • Gibberish by Young Vo book cover
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Gibberish

by Young Vo

Finding ways to connect

$16.47 USD
$27.45 USD $16.47 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    School Library Connection starred review

    School Library Connection gave the book a starred review and called it delightful.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Finding ways to connect

On his first day at school in a new country, Dat hears the words around him as gibberish. The book frames language difference through a child’s immediate experience: he and his mother have made a long journey, and the unfamiliar classroom leaves him wondering how he will make friends. A classmate recognizes that communication can happen without shared words, bringing play and nonverbal connection into the story’s exploration of immigration, belonging, and friendship.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 encountering stories about starting school or making friends
  • Families and educators seeking picture books about immigration and language differences

Themes

Immigration and adjustmentLanguage barriersFriendshipPlay and nonverbal communication

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

BEST OF THE YEAR: Kirkus - Parents Magazine - APALA - Chicago Public Library - Washington Post - Evanston Public Library - Los Angeles Public Library

A touching story about the power of play to break down barriers -- perfect for back to school season!

It's Dat's first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn't know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says -- from the school bus driver to his new classmates -- sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can't understand each other?

Luckily there's a friendly girl in Dat's class who knows that there are other ways to communicate, besides just talking. Could she help make sense of the gibberish?

Now in Spanish!

P R A I S E

Common Sense Media Selection
Charlotte Huck Recommended Book

"A superb picture book."
--The Wall Street Journal

"Masterly. A tender reflection."
--The New York Times

★ "The execution is stellar. A visually and emotionally immersive immigration story."
--Kirkus (starred)

★ "Delightful. Beginning readers will love this book as the illustrations say it all."
--School Library Connection (starred)

★ "Will give hope to kids dealing with a new country and could inspire others to reach out to struggling immigrant children."
--Booklist (starred)
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In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

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