Multilingual Learners

by Matt Lamothe 

Follow one day in the real lives of seven kids from around the world-Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda, and Russia! In Japan, Kei plays Freeze Tag, while in Uganda, Daphine likes to jump rope. While the way they play may differ, the shared rhythm of their days-and this one world we all share-unites them.This genuine exchange provides a window into traditions that may be different from our own as well as mirrors reflecting our common experiences.

by Margriet Ruurs 

From Marta in Azezo, Ethiopia, and Luciano in Mérida, Venezuela, to Alina in Taraz, Kazakhstan, and Lu in Shanghai, China, the children who are profiled live in places that truly span the globe. However, while there are huge differences in their environments, all the children share similar desires to learn, read and play with others.

by Anne Sibley O’Brien 

Three students are immigrants from Guatemala, Korea, and Somalia and have trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in English in their new American elementary school. Through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the students learn to feel confident and comfortable in their new school without losing a sense of their home country, language, and identity.

by Eve Bunting

Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn’t speak. It’s hard being the new kid in school, especially when you’re from another country and don’t know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs.

by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly 

Big or small, similar or different-looking, there are all kinds of families. Some have one parent, some have two, and many include extended family. An inclusive look at many varieties of families.

by Lisa Bullard

There’s a new girl in Romelie’s class named Camila. Camila speaks Spanish, and she’s teaching it to Romelie. That gets Romelie thinking. What other languages do people speak? Her own family uses English and American Sign Language. Her mom’s friend knows Somali and Arabic. Can Romelie discover more languages in her city? How are they like her own? How are they different? A diverse cast gives multiple points of comparison.

by Minh Lê

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens.

by Geraldo Valério 

On a gray and crowded city sidewalk, a child discovers a book. That evening, the child begins to read and is immediately carried beyond the repetitive sameness of an urban skyscape into an untamed natural landscape. The child experiences a moment of true joy, and as if in response to that single blissful moment, people seem to come alive in all the other rooms of the apartment block. Thanks to the power of one book, an entire society is transformed.

by Kerascoët 

This book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help.

by Jeannie Baker

In this ingenious, wordless picture book, readers are invited to compare, page by page, the activities and surroundings of children in two different cultures. Their lives may at first seem quite unalike, but a closer look reveals that there are many things, some unexpected, that connect them as well. Designed to be read side by side—one from the left and the other from the right—these intriguing stories are told entirely through richly detailed collage illustrations.

by Mark Pett

Wordless, timeless, and classic, The Girl and the Bicycle carries a message of selflessness and sweet surprises.

by Monique Gray Smith 

This vibrant picture book encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions. Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

by Sharon Newmaster (Author) 

Rula Fakes (Translation) 

Learn how deep breathing can help you to relax when you are feeling scared or anxious. 

Live Well is series of bilingual (English/Arabic) simple readers that was developed by the Waterloo Region District School board to support the language and psychosocial/socio-emotional needs of newcomer refugee students. It promotes positive mental health strategies to help students and their families prevent and/or deal with symptoms of trauma.

by Sharon Newmaster (Author) 

Rula Fakes (Translation) 

Learn how listening carefully helps you to focus your attention on the present when you are feeling sad or worried.

Live Well is series of bilingual (English/Arabic) simple readers that was developed by the Waterloo Region District School board to support the language and psychosocial/socio-emotional needs of newcomer refugee students. It promotes positive mental health strategies to help students and their families prevent and/or deal with symptoms of trauma.