*Disney Hyperion sent me a copy to check out and is partnering with me for a giveaway for the Drawn Together.*
When my grandmother was younger, she used to speak Polish to me a lot. I have vivid memories of her trying to teach me the language but ultimately being confused. At the end of her life, she really only spoke Polish but it really brought me back to the time when I was young sitting with her, trying to learn the language. That is why I am grateful that author Minh Lê and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat have debuted their first book: Drawn Together.
About Drawn Together:
Author Minh Lê and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat join forces in a heartwarming story of a grandfather and his grandson as they learn to overcome their language barrier through a shared love of art and storytelling.
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—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words. 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.
About the Author
Minh Lê is a writer but, like his grandfather, is a man of few words. He is a national early childhood policy expert, author of Let Me Finish! (illustrated by Isabel Roxas), and has written for the New York Times, the Horn Book, and the Huffington Post. A first-generation Vietnamese-American, he went to Dartmouth College and has a master’s in education from Harvard University. Outside of spending time with his beautiful wife and sons in their home near Washington, DC, Minh’s favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book. Visit Minh online at minhlebooks.com or on Twitter @bottomshelfbks.
Minh Lê’s debut, Let Me Finish!, received critical acclaim, and this new picture book once again demonstrates his sensitivity to readers and mastery of the form.
About the Illustrator
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.
Dan Santat’s illustrations are robust, vibrant, and packed with emotion, a perfect match for Minh Lê’s poignant, and ultimately cheerful, story. Learn about the Drawn Together art process from Dan Santat himself!
This delightful & imaginative book will bring readers’ imaginations to life as the characters create their own epic stories on the page. It really brings back the good ole’ days with my grandma. Boy do I miss her!! Be sure to check out the Drawn Together today to make those special memories.
Will G says
I like how the boy and his grandpa form a bond.
Rosie says
I love the illustrations, they are so touching!
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Vickie L Couturier says
my husband told me that his fathers parents were french and didnt speak english,alhough they had moved to american from canada,,the dad had to translate,,i cant imagine not being about to talk to my grandkids
BIRDIE SKOLFIELD says
I liked the drawing of the dragon …..so lovely
Calvin says
I like how warm the drawings are.. Definitely a sweet book
Angelica Dimeo says
I love the drawings the sweet plot
Dawn Monroe says
I like that the illustrations are bright and 40 pages is perfect for an older child.
Bethany M says
I like the author’s video about using a media different than what he normally works with. Interesting! I like the title too!
Julie Bickham says
I love the bond between the grandfather and the boy even though there is a language barrier.
aaron reck says
I like that it’s about reaching across barriers and bringing people together. Great! Thanks so much.
Rachel says
My favorite part is the message/plot of the book.
shelly peterson says
I love the bond they shared through drawing together.
Misty says
I love how the Grandfather & his Grandson find a common interest & are able to use that to communicate to each other even with a language barrier.
Natalie says
I love that the art was inspired by his Thai heritage! i love that he uses many different mediums including colored pencils and watercolor, etc.
Sarah Hayes says
i love that this is about a child and his grandfather. that is a really special connection
wen budro says
My favorite part is that art and storytelling helps them form a strong bond despite differences.
Shannon says
I like that there is a language barrier because I think it will teach patience.
mami2jcn says
I like the illustrations.
Cheryl B says
I like how art helped form a bond between the two.
Casey Garvey says
I love the thought this book is showing! Theres always some way to bond with others!
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Julie says
I love how they bond over Art..
Sherri J says
The bond between the boy and his grandfather seems sweet. I like that it can show a respect that is beneficial in these times.
Jessica m says
I love the illustrations, so pretty! I love the story too, even if we cant understand someones language we can understand them through art and drawings.
Angela Saver says
I love the bond between them! I also love the illustrations!
Marci says
I like how they bond through drawing
Lisa Brown says
i like the art, especially the grandfather drawinig
Adrienne Gordon says
The message of the story is my favorite.
Dan Dykstra says
I really would love to read this to my new grand child. I like that a child finds a bond with someone from the older generation.
April says
I love how giving and warm the drawings are!
Janet W. says
My favorite part is at the 1:00 minute mark where all the color comes together! Fascinating to watch!
Kim Henrichs says
How sweet!! I love the final drawing!
Cynthia C says
I like that it’s about the relationship between a boy and his grandfather.
Antoinette M says
I like the beautiful illustrations in this book.
Jeanna says
I like that they find a way to communicate with each other!
Betsy Barnes says
I like how the characters are drawn in a different style, as two merge, it creates a new style.
Shelly Dixon says
I like the illustrations
Karley Moore says
I love that it shows the bond between a child and grandparent.
Mita says
I liked the drawing of the dragon
Elle says
I really love the illustrations in the book.
Angelica says
My favorite part is the concept. Family coming together through art despite language barriers is a very sweet sounding story.
Mary Cloud says
This looks like a cute book – I like the drawings
Dandi D says
I think the illustrations are beautifully done and such a great story!
Steve Weber says
I love the bond between them! I also love the illustrations!
barbg says
I like the background colors with all of the pink and other colors of I guess balloons.
Amanda lea says
I love the concept behind the book. The illustrations are great too!
BL says
Building a new world together that words can’t describe. All about love.
Daniel M says
But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.
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Azeem Isaahaque says
I really like the illustrations
Linda Everson says
The illustrations are my favorite.
Melissa says
i like the luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat
Elizabeth Brooks says
I love the illustrations – and sounds wonderful
Susan Smith says
I love the bond he and his Grandfather they shared through drawing together
heather says
My favorite part is the illustrations.
elishia bakle says
I like that it tells a story of grandparent/grandchild relationship. I look for these books for my children to solidify their relationship with their grandparents. I like how the styles blended together.
kjasus says
i liked the different writing/art tools they showed to use to illustrate the book
Debbie Clauer says
I like that the two form a bond that goes beyond words.
Kelly D says
I love that they discover their shared love of art and storytelling.
Tammy Shelton says
I like that it is a picture book. I love the way art is a bridge to different age groups.
Leela says
I like that it’s about a boy and his grandfather.
Cheryl Chervitz says
Sometimes its hard for grandparents and grandchildren to find a bond, this book shows how it can be done.
Jeremy McLaughlin says
Like the illustrations.
Chrissy says
My favorite part is that neither one of them gives up on trying to communicate with each other!
shannon fowler says
I love the colors used. Its so eye catching.
Jennifer Carroll says
I really like the drawings.
Anita Duvall says
I love the illustrations the most in the book. Also just a great story line.
HS says
I absolutely love the neat illustration, very fascinating.
Melissa Hallam says
I like that it’s about reaching across barriers and bringing people together. Thanks for the opportunity!
Shawn Stover says
I love the illustrations
Julie Matek says
I love that by drawing together, they are drawn together:)
Bryan Vice says
I love the story and the illustrations
Kristen says
I like that they have a shared love of storytelling.
Heather D says
I like the shared imagination and creativity. Cute backstory.
S Riches says
I think the illustrations are fantastic.
Debra Holloway says
I like that they overcome their language barrier.
nickie says
I like the illustrations.
Clarissa Hiciano says
I love the Dragon drawings!
Michelle Donovan says
Such a lovely idea for a story and the illustrations are beautiful.
Eric V. says
I really like the nice story line and I also enjoy the the illustrations.
Terri Quick says
As they sit down to draw together, something magical happens—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words. I think that that is awesome!
Nancy says
My favorite part of this boos is that the pair shared a love of art and storytelling.
Terri S. says
I liked how the book’s illustrator, Dan Santat, described how he incorporated some of his own Thai culture into drawing the boy and his grandfather’s use of drawings to communicate.
Christina Gould says
My favorite part is the uniqueness of the story. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jessica W. says
I love how art brings two people together.
Wehaf says
This book is visually stunning! Based on the description I thought it was for middle-schoolers, but the website says it is for kids 3 – 5.
John Smith says
“What is your favorite part?” The fun combination of asian art and graphic-novel art. It’s very cool!
Laura H says
I learned that the story describes how a boy and his grandfather overcome a lack of understanding when they discover a shared love of art and storytelling. I love the great message and gorgeous illustrations.
Emily Smith says
I think it’s beautiful that they formed a bond that was created with art.
Nancy Bowers says
I like how they show that love can transcend language barriers.
Theresa Jenkins says
I like the artwork and I know all 5 of my grandkids would love the story
Patrick Armes says
Nice ArtWork
AJ says
I like the illustrations
Starla says
Goodness! I sure do miss my Nana too! I love that although the barriers, the bond that is formed is amazing. I can’t wait to check this one out!
Clem says
Love the cover art and title
Kim says
the very last drawing is my fave!
Dana Rodriguez says
I really love the illustrations!
Del says
Beautiful story and artwork
Wendy Clark says
This sounds like such a sweet book. And very unique for a children’s book, but a needed one.
marybeth crowley says
I love how it encourages understanding
Amanda B. says
I love how the two styles intermingle through collaboration to make something different and beautiful.
christine says
My kids would love that this story is about a boy and his grandfather
clynsg says
I especially liked the way it was shown that there is more than one way to form a bond between people. The illustrations really emphasize that.
Kathy bergman says
I love how they bond over art and storytelling. I truly art itself can tell such a story. And often children use coloring to speak to adults. We just have to listen.
Stephanie Reed says
Great idea to use drawing to communicate. I have been using photos on my phone to help my mom remember the person coming to assist her because she has memory problems. A picture truly is worth 1000 words.
Jeanne Coulombe says
I love how they share a love for drawing and form a bond with each other.
Rebecca W says
This looks like a cute book that kids would enjoy reading. I think my girls would like all of the pictures in it.
Rosanne says
My favorite part is when he starts the drawings in black and white
Saegan Anderson says
the relationship between the characters
Alma says
I love all the drawings. Very cute book for kids.
Amity J says
I love the story line and the incorporation of art and personal expression that is so lacking these days.
Alexandra Y says
I like that the characters bond.
Maranda Hymes says
That art style is so fresh and is easily my favorite part. I love how slight changes in style have such an impact on art, comics, animations, etc
Michelle C says
I love that there is a shared love of art!
Michelle C says
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elizabeth miller says
My favorite is the story and that it teaches to find a common ground no matter what the barrier is.
Julie Cutshaw says
As a grandparent myself whom loves to draw and free hand paint, I can relate to this wonderfully creative storybook because. My grandson has always loved to draw with me and hear stories. I can think of life changing. Scenarios that this combo creation for communication between. Two age differences would be so useful and result in greats results to bring them together. Such as a stroke, so they can communicate. My favorite part is the art work and how the two brought the story to life.
Susan Christy says
I like the message of the importance of family.
Jenny Q. says
I love the illustrations in this story.
Adriana says
I like how art brought them together.
michelle h says
I like how he took the personality of the grandfather and boys and meshed them.
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Miranda Bashwinger says
I love how you relied on traditional media for this project
Ed says
I heart the artwork!
Amber Cheras says
I love the special bond the grandfather and grandchild has.
Audrey Stewart says
The special bond they have is so touching.
J Brodman says
I love all of the art and the fact that you used a variety of mediums for it.
Sarah Cool says
I love how much thought and authenticity went into the illustrations
Jessica Whitehouse says
My great grandmother didn’t speak much English. She immigrated from Germany when I was 14. We connected watching birds and butterflies in her backyard.
Klydra Pugh says
I like the illustrations
Thanks for the chance
Julieh says
My favorite part is the story.
Nicky Marie says
I LOVE how they are able to forma. Bond through drawing..it’s amazing.. and it’s an amazing way of expression! What a beautiful story!
Daniel Scott says
Art is amazing it doesn’t need words to speak to one’s heart and form bonds.
Kayla klontz says
I love how they communicate thru drawing because of the language barrier.
Angela H. says
I like the pictures and the relationship that these family members have in this book.
Janine Hwang says
I like that it brings generations together! And has beautiful artwork!
Kerry P says
My favorite part is how it teaches that drawing could be used as a bonding in silence method.
Many people, especially kids don’t realize that drawing is healthy for the peacefulness of your mind.
Natalie says
I love that it shows that no matter what kindness and patience is wonderful
susan smoaks says
I like the bond between the grandfather and the grandson. this book looks beautiful.
kathy pease says
I love that it shows through art you can have communication even if there is a language barrier
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rhonda miotke says
The bond between the boy and his grandfather is very sweet!
Robin says
I like the bond between the boy and his grandfather even though there is a language barrier.
Helen says
I love that they find a common language in art.
Anita Jude says
I liked how they come together and understood each other through their art
Sarah Mayer says
My kids would love that this story is about a boy and his grandfather
Alecia Gibson says
My favorite part is the artwork.
Connie Gruning says
I love that they bridge the verbal gap with art. This book looks so sweet!! Thank you for the chance.
Donna porter says
This books shows love. I like how the young boy and his grandfather form a bond.
Celeste says
A beautiful story that has a wonderful message. I love the art.
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DanV says
I like the coloring near the end – great color choices
Michelle H. says
I love the drawings.
joseph clark says
I like they way the communicate through their shared love of art and storytelling
Edye says
I like the illustrations!
Hesper Fry says
The illustrations are so pretty and detailed!
Lisa V. says
I am a big fan of art from various backgrounds. I live in quite the diverse area and I can see how art can be a way to form a bond.
Buddy Garrett says
I love the illustrations.
Betty Curran says
I like that they find a way to communicate even though they speak different languages. And the drawings are beautiful.
Trisha McKee says
I love looking at the illustrations. My daughter is an artist and i’m fascinated by it all. This looks like such a great book- with a fantastic message.
amber says
love the beautiful illustrations, and that it’s about a granddad and grandson bond
sam says
This would be perfect for my 3 year old. He is very creative. I love that this shows a bond between a son and a grandfather. You dont find those very often.
Sand says
Sounds like a great book! I like how it’s an AAPI book written by an AAPI author. Being AAPI myself, I feel that representation matter and look for books that my littles would like!
Julie says
I loved the illustrations what a cute book?
Gabriela Martinez says
Cool!
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