Common Sense Media Review
By Florencia Orlandoni
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartfelt story of kid translator who needs more playtime.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE INTERPRETER, protagonist Cecilia has a "second job" that is both rewarding and demanding. In addition to her job being a child, she serves as a Spanish and English interpreter for her family. Her role is so special that no one in her family even talks about it. Her job requires her to be available at all times—Cecilia frequently swaps her soccer jersey for an oversized green suit to attend her interpreting gigs. One day, at a parent-teacher conference, Cecilia is forced to confront her parents about working overtime. While being her family's interpreter is already a tough task, asking for time off proves to be equally difficult. Will her parents understand? Who will help them interpret when Cecilia is not around?
Is It Any Good?
This is a moving and compassionate story about the needs of immigrant families and the position their children are sometimes in when it comes to translating. Monica Arnaldo's lively illustrations and Olivia Abtahi's perceptive storytelling creates a powerful story with memorable characters while delivering sharp social commentary. Readers (children and adults) who have found themselves in Cecilia's role will feel incredibly seen in the sensitive portrayal of the rewarding yet emotionally taxing nature of being your parents' translator and interpreter. Arnaldo's choice to draw Cecilia in an oversized green suit when she is acting as THE INTERPRETER perfectly captures the weight of the job. Notably, the predicament Cecilia's parents are in is respectfully represented: they're loving parents who course correct when they realize their child isn't happy. The story approaches the topic in a gentle, poignant way, offering glimmers of hope as the family comes together to support Cecilia as they learn to navigate their majority English-speaking community in other ways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be a kid who has a special role in their family, like Cecilia in The Interpreter. What are your responsibilities in your family? What do you love about being a kid? What do you enjoy doing? What could you do if your family job got in the way of doing the things you love?
What are some other responsibilities that could be too much for a kid? Why do kids sometimes have to take on adult responsibilities? How can people like teachers and other adults help kids in this situation?
Cecilia speaks with integrity and honesty when she says she can't keep being the family's interpreter, but it wasn't easy. Where do you have integrity in your life—something that you'll always tell the truth about, even if it's hard?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Monica Arnaldo
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Family Stories , School ( Elementary School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Kokila
- Publication date : January 21, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : March 19, 2026
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