  | Little bird Laila Author: Yang, Kelly | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Laila knows how clever, kind, and funny her Mama and Baba are but sometimes they need her help translating things from English. With English classes being too expensive, Laila decides to become her parents' teacher, even though she's just learning the language too. Together, they embrace the joy and struggles of learning a new language.
| Illustrator: | Yan, Xindi |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/25)
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 03/10/2025 "Mama calls me her little bird. I’m always whispering in her ear, telling her everything that’s going on," begins this enthusiastic picture book narrated by a child, Laila, who often translates English for her Chinese-speaking parents. "It’s pretty cool being so important all the time," but, Laila admits, "it’s also a lot of work." When English classes for her parents prove spendy ("People say America is free, but it’s actually really expensive"), Laila offers to teach them-though she’s still learning idioms ("Maybe I can spread my wings and try!"). As the winning, bright-eyed protagonist takes the lead, Yang and Yan focus on sunny, funny moments while lightly acknowledging that "it’s not easy teaching old birds new tricks." Digital paintings feature fully realized, expressive figures against desaturated scenery. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5-9. (Apr.) - Copyright 2025
Booklist - 01/01/2025 *Starred Review* A young Chinese American girl translates for her immigrant parents in this slice-of-life picture-book celebration of learning new skills and growing together. At the bank, the grocery store, or meet-the-teacher appointments, Laila helps her family navigate an unfamiliar language: “Mama calls me her little bird. I’m always whispering in her ear, telling her everything that’s going on.” The charming, witty first-person narration gives authentic voice to varied emotions experienced by child interpreters. Laila takes pride in her caring efforts and relishes “being so important all the time.” She is hurt and incensed when kids, callously unaware of Mama and Baba’s myriad skills, proficiencies, and awesomeness, mock them for not understanding English. With language classes out of their financial reach, Laila decides to spread her wings and try tutoring her parents herself. The hard work involved in figuring out confusing phrases and homonyms (“‘No’ means ‘no’ but ‘know’ means ‘yes’”) comes through loud and clear. Yan’s expressive, colorful digital artwork captures the fun-loving little girl prepping, pep-talking, and surprise pop-quizzing her pupils with gusto. Learning is a two-way street, especially in the face of new challenges, and Laila picks up some Chinese language lessons (Chinese text and English translations in dialogue speech bubbles are sprinkled throughout), which she then passes on to her classroom peers. Insightful and inspiring, Little Bird Laila soars. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
