There are many things to observe about this book and how it is presented that I loved from the start. First the book is separated into two stories, one in the front, and when you turn the book over the other story starts from the back and they meet in the middle. The story, Painted Words, tells of Mari, a young greek girl who has immigrated from her country to a new class in the United States. She struggles to understand the language and it shows with vivid depiction how she appears lost in her new environment, but she still understands gestures and pictures that help her. Mari discovers with the help of her teacher that she can communicate with pictures like an artist and she does just that. In the second story, Spoken Memories, Mari is actually telling her life story, how she grew up in Greece, and how she arrived to the US in front of the class in first person. This book was wonderful in so many respects. I will use this with my students (2nd grade) to show perspective and voicing in writing and reading. It uses clear concise language and you can see the difference in voicing when it becomes 1st person as she tells her story as a child would. highly recommend to any teacher who wants to do a segment on perspective and voicing as well as immigration. ( )

This story is of new beginnings. When a young girl has moved to a country she does not speak the language of. Great beginning from both her hometown and her new city. K-5 ( )

The structure of this book is really two books. Painted Words is one half of the book and when you flip it over you can read the story of Spoken Memories. I'm glad I began by reading with the spine to the left because I would have missed some pivotal moments for Mari's transition to a new school had I begun with Spoken Words.

Marianthe,or Mari, and her family immigrate to the US and Mari begins school. Her mother prepares her with kind words and excitement, but nonetheless there is some trepidation with new customs, languages, and new classrooms. Mari is prompted by her teacher to paint when she cannot find the words. Over time Mari illustrates her stories, sharing pictures of her life and the life that her family left until she learns the words to tell her story in "Spoken Words."

This book briefly features a child teasing Mari and offers some page to the conflict that can occur early in life. After hearing about her daughter's day her mother says, "in life there will always be those who hurt and tease out of ignorance." Mari looks and listens and shows the class, illustrating to her teacher how she feels. I was glad to see the realistic inclusion of conflict.

With the inclusion of Mari's story and her experience there are many possibilities for exercises with students. Introduces the wonderful question early about who can be an artist or an illustrator! ( )

This story helps show children the impacts and methods of visualizing and creating art to convey feelings. There is a young girl that recently moved and does not speak English, the kids begin to make fun of her because of her diversity. She paints her emotions through a picture which eventually the class comes together to support this girl. Recommend for Kindergarten through Second.

Two stories about a child that comes to a new country to live. She paints to express her feelings and one day she gets to share this with the class. She also tells them about how life was in her homeland.