I have read several books about “not speaking language X” and the troubles it causes with family and/or friends. This time, in Squawk of Spanish, we have a young boy, Max, who cannot speak Spanish well (he has trouble with his rolling Rs), but that’s okay, his grandmother’s parrot does! So when the two (abuela and grandson) bake together, between the three of them, they have their routine down and get the job done. But when the parrot has decided to not to come home after a little jaunt one day, how can the two learn how to communicate to get the food ready for them and the cousins?
The best part of Gabriella Aldeman’s story of Squawk of Spanish (read via an online reader; due early August 2024) is how the grandmother’s love needs no words, yet she tries to help her grandson by doing something difficult for her. She speaks some English to scold the cousins when they tease Max. And because of that he realizes he can try too, and figure out the Spanish words. The ending is sweet, a little silly and realistic. This rounds up the bright and not simple, but not overlay complicated either, illustrations by Romina Gallotta. These images are classic (the grandparent/grandchild dynamic) but modern with the grandmother not being the “big, ol’ fluffy, round, grandmother in apron and slippers,” but has a modern look.
Mixed together this is a story about being diverse, the crossing of cultures and is based on the author and their son, and when the ingredients rise, the results are tasty indeed. Also available in Spanish.