Drawn Together (Hardcover)
Summer 2018 Kids Indie Next List
“A grandson and his grandfather - unable to converse - sit in front of a television until the boy loses interest and turns to his drawing utensils. Grandfather then brings out his sketchbook and together they begin to 'talk' without words but with worlds of color, action and excitement. Once again Santat's (After the Fall) illustrations create a powerful book, one of communication between the generations. Sure to be a hit with all ages and perhaps another Caldecott winner.”
— Karen Briggs, The Booknook, East Talwas, MI
Staff Reviews
This book is so lovely and soft-spoken, but packs a powerful and beautiful message. A young boy visits his grandfather, and while the two do not speak the same language, they find communication through things even more powerful than words: art, family, and love. This book is so magical, taking us through this journey of discovery with stunning artwork.
(Picture Book, ages 4+) — Find more Staff Picks by Iz
— Iz
An amazing picture book that shows the power of art. Minh Le and Dan Santat (local author!) team up to create a powerful story about family, love, and strength. All with just a few words and a lot of action on the page. I loved the way the two drawing styles came together.
— From Staff Picks by Jessica
With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picture book about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come. A Junior Library Guild selection!
Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Award-winning The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as The Cookie Fiasco, After the Fall, and others. He is also the creator of Disney's animated hit, The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and a menagerie of pets. Visit him at dantat.com.
* "The power of art takes center stage."—, starred review
* "Phantasmagoric."—, starred review
* "[P]erfectly paced to express universal emotions that connect generations separated by time, experience, and even language."—, starred review
* "Drawn Together is a testament to the strength of a shared love to overcome barriers of age, language and culture, and will leave readers, like Grandpa and his grandson, 'happily . . . SPEECHLESS.'"—, starred review
* "Focus on an underrepresented culture; highly accessible emotions; concise, strong storytelling; and artistic magnificence make this a must have."—, starred review
* "[A] visual language that speaks profoundly to readers."—, starred review
PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
NPR Best Books of 2016
APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner
"Dynamic."
PRAISE FOR THE COOKIE FIASCO
"[B]e prepared for this one to fly off the shelves."
PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
"[S]ure to generate reader anticipation."
PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
"A fun storytime selection for audiences with a good sense of humor."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"Warm moments abound. . . . [I]t overflows with genuine fatherly affection."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"[E]xuberant illustrations."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"[A]n entertaining balance between sweet and goofy, protective and raucous."