The author presents two equally moving themes in Marianthe's story, the first explores her arrival to America and the second involves an explanation of why she came. In her first days at school Mari struggles with English until she realizes that art translates to all languages. One day, as Mari prepares to tell her story through her paintings, the sympathetic teacher announces that there is more than one way to communicate. "Someday Mari will be able to tell us with words." Readers then flip the book over to begin the second installment in which Mari capably uses words to explain her background. Mari's first-person narration recounts her early years in the old country, where extended family and community pulled together to grow food and to weather such tragedies as war and famine. Like her character, the author spins the tale gracefully in two media, placing words and art in impressive balance.
Educators may choose to use this book as the start to a larger unit on cultural diversity or refugees and immigration. It can be easily integrated into the Arts and ELA. It will serve as an inspiration for alternative forms of story telling.
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