My Day With Gong Gong

Young May is anxious about spending a day with her Gong Gong—grandfather—because he speaks little English, and she doesn’t speak Cantonese. As they walk through Chinatown, visiting a shop, a dim sum restaurant, and meeting Gong Gong’s friends in a park, May feels frustrated by the language barrier and not being understood, but Gong Gong surprises her with a gift and snacks that show he has understood more than she thought. This Canadian picture book, with inviting, vivid illustrations, explores intergenerational relationships, the complexity of language and not being understood, and can be used as a read-aloud or as part of a larger exploration of culture, language, and families.