The Words We Share

The Words We Share unfolds through the perspective of Angie, a young girl navigating the complexities of family, language and connection. Upon her arrival in Canada, Angie, alongside her father, possesses only a basic grasp of English. As she begins to master the language at school, her father searches for employment to provide for them, employment that doesn't demand fluency. Angie steps into the role of her father's interpreter, bridging the gap between English and Cantonese. Her newfound skill not only strengthens their familial bond but also propels her to aid her community members who face similar linguistic hurdles. Her efforts shine brightly until she encounters a disheartening setback—an upset customer criticizes her translation error. This confrontation plunges Angie into a whirlwind of shame and isolation as the weight of her responsibilities crashes down on her. In her moment of despair, she assumes her father cannot comprehend her struggle. To Angie's astonishment, her father intervenes with grace, engaging with the customer through another shared language of their youth—a melody of words that strikes Angie as the most enchanting, unexpected harmony.

Jack Wong, the author and illustrator, was born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, Canada. His narratives have been heavily shaped by the first generation of Asian Canadian experiences. His first work, When You Can Swim (www.cmreviews.ca/node/3581), won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Picture Book Award, 2023. In The Words We Share, Wong’s use of first person narratives enables readers to trace every twist and turn in Angie’s emotional journey, experiencing the joy, surprise, sorrow, and astonishment alongside her. His style of prose is extremely readable and appealing to many readers. The text of the book is especially appreciated in its bilingual presentation. With the striking title The Words We Share, (the Chinese literally translated as “different languages, same heart”), the story gets multi-dimensional. The use of the father’s words written in Chinese adds an extra touch to the text, allowing bilingual readers to read the text in two languages. Wong ends the book with a short note about the narrative and the languages included in the story. His story, a family affair, extends to include broader connections within the community. It illustrates the emotional burden that some immigrant children endure as they navigate the complications of the various linguistic realms which is a subject little or rarely tackled in children’s literature but is of great importance.

The Words We Share eloquently captures the dual challenges and achievements inherent in navigating multiple cultures and languages. The book is a valuable addition for immigrant families, educators seeking comprehension of immigrant experiences, and community libraries looking to broaden their horizons with culturally diverse materials.