After a family adopts a dog from a local shelter, they cannot understand why he doesn't respond to commands, until a chance encounter in the dog park reveals that their new dog only understands Chinese.
A comical yet thought-provoking story, Norman, Speak! follows a boy and his family who adopt a dog that just can’t seem to learn the things other dogs do. Overwhelmed by dogs in need at the local animal shelter, a young boy chooses Norman, the stray who has been there the longest. But, upon bringing him home, the family quickly learns that Norman won’t respond to commands. He doesn’t even know his own name. During a chance encounter with another dog owner in the park, the family is very surprised to learn the reason for Norman’s confusion; he speaks” Chinese instead of English! And so the family enrolls in a language class, determined to understand their uniquely loveable pet. The humorous text from award-winning author Caroline Adderson and Qin Leng’s delightful illustrations combine to create a picture book that will be enjoyed by readers (and dogs) no matter what language they speak.
Arvustused
Pet lovers will appreciate this familys lighthearted journey toward making this relationship succeed. * Kirkus Reviews * Throughout this lovely story, it is clear that the boy and his parents love Norman just as he is. Simple ink drawings set against ample white space make the endearing dog come alive on paper. This title will be a surefire hit with children. * School Library Journal * This is a fresh and original take on the new-pet story that provides a gentle little paradigm shift along with its slight absurdity; the familys genial embrace of their new dogs language is both humorous . . . and offhandedly heartwarming. * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW * Caroline Adderson and Qin Lengs Norman, Speak! is a timeless story about a boy and his dog with a twist appropriate to todays audience. * CM Magazine * There are lessons hereabout patience as well as intercultural understandingbut theyre very lightly worn, and the casual line of the ink-and-color illustrations reminds us that this is a warm family story most of all. * Horn Book * This is a delightful and whimsically illustrated book. Recommended. * Library Media Connections *
Muu info
Commended for OLA Best Bets (Picture Books) 2015 (Canada) and USBBY Outstanding International Book 2015 (United States). Short-listed for Chocolate Lily Book Award (Picture Book) 2015 (Canada) and Christie Harris Illustrated Childrens Literature Prize 2015 (Canada).
CAROLINE ADDERSON is an author of books for young readers and adults. Her picture books include Norman, Speak! (illustrated by Qin Leng) and the Pierre & Paul series (illustrated by Alice Carter). Early chapter books include the Jasper John Dooley and Izzy series, as well as Babble! And How Punctuation Saved It (illustrated by Roman Muradov). Caroline has won the Sheila Egoff Award, the Chocolate Lily Book Award and the Diamond Willow Award, among many other honors. She lives in Vancouver, B.C.
QIN LENG is a highly acclaimed illustrator and author of picture books. Her work appears in the award-winning Who We Are series by Sara OLeary; Trèfle by Nadine Robert (Governor General Award); Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki (APALA Award, Governor Generals Award finalist); and When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award finalist); among others. Qin has received many awards for her animated short films and art. She lives in Toronto, ON.
