The Interpreter

A few months ago, I attended and participated in a read-aloud event by

Story Sunbirds

, which commemorated the children’s press conference held at Al Shifa Hospital on November 7th, 2023. One month into what would become a full-scale genocide, a group of children from Gaza orated a speech in English to the press in front of the hospital. The children pleaded for their human rights and asked for the bombing to stop. It broke my heart when I considered the time and energy their parents had invested in teaching them English only for it to be used to interpret Palestinian suffering to a global audience. It further broke my heart that their voices were disregarded and the slaughter continued for more than a year.

During the Story Sunbirds read-aloud, the book that most caught my attention was a picture book about a young girl with two important jobs. In addition to being a kid, Cecilia is the family interpreter, filling in the gaps of understanding at the mechanic, the hospital, the park, the hairdresser, and just about anywhere it is necessary for her parents to speak English instead of Spanish. The job is essential for the family but takes a toll on the character’s well being. In a rare moment of personal attention, Cecilia is forced to interpret her emotions to her family. Soon, help is on the way. An older brother and sister return to help out on the weekend, leaving Cecilia free to play soccer and be a kid sometimes.

Supportive and affirming, The Interpreter is an important new book for children fulfilling adult-sized roles in their family or community. Unacknowledged contributions to family wellbeing can stretch well beyond the demands of communication. This touching story written by Olivia Abtahi belongs in every school and library, but also every hospital. Several years ago, I asked a hospital librarian if there were a book she wished had been written. She said she wished there were more books about sibling carers—children who provide medical care for a sibling or family member. Abtahi has indirectly provided one in the scene in which Cecilia interprets the doctor’s orders to her parents.

The Interpreter was illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. With watercolor and pencil crayons, Arnaldo creates colorful characters and heart-warming family scenes. Cecilia’s emotions were well defined in the illustrations. The reader’s heart crumbles when they all come pouring out.