Whaaat?

Picture a child who must learn an entirely new language while also settling into a new school in an unfamiliar country. Many young people around the world face this today, as moving between countries becomes more common and children grow up speaking two, three, or several languages.

Anand is a young boy from Mongolia who is starting at an English-speaking school for the first time, and the experience feels frightening. Why do the other children keep repeating the phrase "E el gi piddr"? Anand has no idea what it means.

With patience, regular practice, and encouragement from thoughtful teachers, Anand slowly picks up English and eventually understands the words that once confused him. Through his story, young readers see the difficulties and successes that classmates may experience when they are immersed in a new culture and language, and they learn why compassion matters and why the diversity of the world is worth celebrating.