Next Door

by Deborah Kerbel, Isaac Liang (illustrator)

A boy has some unexpected encounters in his neighborhood in this wordless book about celebrating differences and building bridges. In this wordless picture book, a Deaf boy and his mother enjoy a walk through their community. Together, they greet their neighbors, stop by the playground, spy a bird’s nest in a tree and buy cookies at the grocery store. Later, they visit their new neighbors, a woman and her daughter, who have only recently immigrated from another country. Although the girl is shy, and the two kids speak different languages — American Sign Language (ASL) and Arabic — find a way to communicate and become fast friends. This sweet story by critically acclaimed author Deborah Kerbel explores the art of appreciating the world and the people around us and finding points of connection. Deaf illustrator Isaac Liang lends his lived experience to the visual story, choosing details and perspectives that reveal the world as it’s experienced by the boy. At the heart of the story is a timely message about breaking down barriers and finding common ground, no matter our differences. Wordless picture books engage children’s attention to detail as they follow the narrative of the story in the pictures, building their visual literacy and critical thinking skills. This book has curriculum connections to social studies lessons on community building and immigration, as well as to the character education values of empathy and kindness. It also models the practice of welcoming newcomers to our communities. A few ASL signs are demonstrated and translated within the story.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Language, Friendship, Disability, Canada

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Deborah Kerbel was born in London, England, but grew up in Toronto, Canada.
A finalist for the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award, the 2010 Canadian Library Association YA Book of the Year Award, 2019 Blue Spruce Award Honour Book, and winner of the 2020 IODE Jean Throop Book Award, Deborah is the author of ten books for young readers of all ages.
Currently, Deborah lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two book loving teens, and a schnoodle named Fred.
Visit her at www.deborahkerbel.ca

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
Genre ~children's fiction
Publication date ~ October 3, 2023
Page Count ~ 32

An unnamed boy and his mother are on a journey to town to purchase a gift for the new neighbor. Along the way they're seen waving to people and enjoying nature. It's marketed for ages 3-7 and I think that's perfect for this story.

What I liked:
~ how his hearing aids we visible
~ when they used ASL there was a picture showing the hand gestures as a neat lesson for those that are not familiar with the language, however there were only 3 and I could have went for more. There was one instance where it was used, but not written out and I can only assume she said 'thank you'.
~ how the children found a way to communicate, share and work together to create a picture

My thoughts on the illustrations (none of which affect my review):
Isaac Liang is a deaf illustrator and I thought he did a good job.
~ the similarities with the family's features was clear
~ not groundbreaking, but Mom's cross-body purse is not consistently on one side of her body
~ I thought it was odd that the apartment doors swing out and not in.
~ I liked how the moving boxes were all around the place to give it more of a realistic feel, but it seemed a little too soon for pictures to already be hung on the walls
~ the crayon color in hand did not always match up with what they just drew

What I would have liked to have seen:
~ Mom's eyes were almost always on her son or she was holding his hand when they were out and about, but there were a couple of scenes where this was not the case
~ the family next door is Arabic and I liked how she provided an Arabic/English picture dictionary for him to look through, but there were only pictures and I would have liked there to be at least some scribbling to show how that item is written in Arabic

Overall, a cute little, mostly wordless, picture book. There is a beautiful author's note, which states how this book is dedicated to her late sister, Kim, who was born profoundly deaf. I like how she added a picture of them when they were younger.

*Thanks to the author, Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually want a sequel. I can feel that this book came from the heart of the author. I love the multicultural representation and love the good neighbor concept which I feel is challenging in today’s fast paced, high tech super connected but a very lonely world.

I love the illustrations so much! It is a wordless picture book and it is almost like a great graphic novel. Not much words are written which I can understand is quite important in representing one of the main characters here.

Just get this book and read it with the kids. It will help them in understanding how we can start interacting or communicate with people who are differently abled, in this book a deaf character is being represented. I feel it is being done so well in just a few pages.

More power to the author. And more, more power and support for the illustrator, Isaac Laing. You are shining!

Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.

[Lia Anshar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Next Door" is a picture book about a deaf boy who finds a new friend—a normal girl—next door and how they can get along well despite the language differences. I must say this book is genius! There are no words in this book, just pictures since this book is from the boy's POV. It's like, the author tries to make us understand how it feels to him, using other senses other than hearing. But, I don't think the younger children will get this message if they read it without adult supervision. So, for teachers or parents who want to give this to their children, I suggest you give them an insight into what this book is about before they read it.

[ms. hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It opened a great discussion up for the kiddos! We talked about how friends may be different than us, but it is okay. We understood that we can still learn and play with new friends, and we may have to include each other in different ways. We also worked together to learn of the sign language in the book! The illustrations were beautiful, and the hand movements were still shown clearly within a small frame! Great work!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspiring wordless book on friendship and awareness. A series of pictures reflects a deaf boy who befriends a young girl from a different culture. Children do not have barriers. They tend to have barriers when they are made aware of those barriers. A simplistic lesson that tends to get complicated. It makes a great read for parents whose children are starting school to remind everyone to take down those barriers.

A special thank you to Kids Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow our protagonist, a young deaf boy, as he and his mother go into town to buy a welcome gift for their new neighbours. Upon greeting their new neighbours we see that they have language barriers between English and Arabic, as well as the obvious barrier of him being deaf. This does not stop the two children from interacting and becoming friends.

I like that this story is wordless (apart from when explaining some ASL that is used), it is a great way to represent the main characters perspective on the world. I do feel however that more ASL could’ve been represented in the story though and made it a tad longer just to get some more understanding of what they are doing in those first few pages. This would be a great book for an adult to read to young children 3-6 years old to teach them about difference and disability. I would also use this book as a way to work with children on seeing context from imagery in books, as there are no words to explain the situation and they must infer it from the images.

AGE: 3+
GENRE: Children’s Fiction, Disability, Difference, Social
DETAILS: 32 Pages, Picture Book

I received this as an eBook through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wordless picture book is about a young Deaf boy who becomes friends with his Arabic immigrant neighbor. The story is very simple, and there are subtle details in the illustrations to show how the boy experiences things through other senses. However, there isn't much of a story at face value. Wordless picture books typically give kids opportunities to imagine and invent different stories based on the pictures, but this is very much a message book, and I think it would be stronger if it had expressed the message in words. As it stands, the wordless element represents the Deaf character's silence, but adults will need to actively guide children to help them understand the story and absorb its messages.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless Picture Book
I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
Readers meet a mother and son as they head out to run errands. We walk along with them and see everyone the boy greets and interacts with. It is several pages in before the mom uses American Sign Language and we realize he is deaf. When they return home, they take flowers as a gift for their new neighbors. Observant readers will realize the families speak different languages, and the moms will use the picture dictionary on the table to communicate. The boy heads off to find the young girl and they communicate through sharing a cookie and drawing pictures. He also teaches her some signs. The artwork is easy to follow. Character expressions share what they are feeling and pull readers in. A wonderful read together to see what wording young readers will add to tell the story.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to make more of a conscious effort to read wordless picture books, this book is so beautifully done. I loved talking about the pictures with my 4 year old as we moved from panel to panel, page to page, somethings we figured out together, other things I guided him, but after a few "readings" he was then able to tell me the story, and what a sweet story it is.

A new family, a Muslim family none-the-less, visible hijab #Muslimsintheillustrations, moves in and a little boy and his mom spend a day out in the city and pick up flowers for the new family. The little boy is deaf, so some sign language is included, and an Arabic English picture dictionary is shown, so possibly the new family doesn't speak English, but with ice water, a partially eaten cookie shared, and some crayons, friendships are in bloom.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute wordless picture book following a day in the life of a deaf boy as he goes around town with his mother and meets their new neighbors. I thought this was a great concept, that could have been executed a little better. The diversity of characters was good, though I wish we had learned more about the neighbors other than what language they speak, and clothes they wear. I love the inclusion of the boy’s hearing aids, as well as some ASL translations. However, there could have been more ASL translations, as well as one sign was missing the translation. I also felt like the story was just missing something. Overall, it was a cute book, that many kids of different ages would enjoy. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Next Door" by Deborah Kerbel is an inspiring and beautiful book about a family who moves into a new neighborhood. The little boy in the family is deaf and communicates through sign language. You can see the story unfold throughout his eyes, as when you lose the ability to use one of your senses, others heighten. You can see all the details of the new house and neighborhood around him, and he even meets a new friend. They learn to communicate together their own way. This story is absolutely beautiful and can be used in many settings.
Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of this book for an honest review. #NextDoor #NetGalley

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright, colorful illustrations tell the story of a deaf boy and his mother going through the community and eventually meeting their new neighbors, one of whom is a little girl. The children are able to find a way to communicate through drawing and become friends. This is a true picture book and clearly told. There are some scenes, like where the boy ends up crying suddenly, that younger kids might need some help understanding, but it just provides room for discussion and learning empathy. His hearing aids were clearly visible, and the inclusion of ASL keys the few times it was used were also great to see.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this wordless book. Young boy (who is deaf) befriends a new neighbor who is Arabic.

The illustration on page 22 is ADORABLE!

Author is Deborah Kerbel and Isaac Liang is a deaf illustrator based in Singapore.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of Next Door in exchange for an honest review. My 4 year old nephew visits in a couple weeks, if I have time to get his thoughts, I'll update my review. Thank you to publisher Kids Can Press for approving my NetGalley advance read request.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 101 of 200 ~ 2023

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I absolutely love this. The book has a message ... even messages, and this is in spite of not having words.

Follow the kiddo and his mom as they run errands and then head home where they meet their neighbours.

This book for me, reiterates the picture says a thousand words... i also liked the ASL used. Very clever how they teach a couple of words :)

The reason for creating this will melt your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sarah Koski · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Early Childhood Educator I am constantly trying to find diverse reads and perspectives to add to my classroom shelf. I seek to find books that show acceptance and people of all kinds of abilities, ethnicities and family make-ups.

Next Door is a powerful book with very few words. The message of friendship, acceptance and learning from each other is beautiful.

The illustrations were beautiful and the details helped tell the story without a doubt!

I will absolutely be adding this children’s book to my classroom library!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars. 5yo and I really love this one. It models welcoming people into the neighborhood, supporting local businesses, sharing, accepting physical differences and more. Typically, I strongly dislike books without words (just a personal issue) but this one broke the pattern.

5yo was so excited to learn the ASL signs. For weeks, we have practiced the signs in the book and learned more to grow our vocabulary. (Shout out to my sister, who taught me the sign for "poop" today and recently joined Goodreads.)

[Reading With Yeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about the beginning of a beautiful friendship between a boy who is deaf and a new girl with a language barrier. Although they are handicapped in their own way, they prove that friendships can be made easily if they accept and help each other's differences .
This is barely a wordless picture book with a strong message about the power of friendship. The illustration speaks stronger to support this wordless story.
Overall, it is a heartwarming read.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

A beautiful story that was able to be told without the spoken word. I love the occasional addition of ASL, it is a small part of the overall story, but that on the dictionary made you realize that a friendship that you thought would be difficult, can be easier if you think outside the box. Drawing is a perfect example of this.

[Adeisa Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you can say a lot with few words. This book proves that you can also say a lot with no words at all! The little boy in the book is deaf and uses ASL (American Sign Language) as his primary form of communication. His lack of hearing does not affect his ability to have a wonderful time while out with his mom and making a new friend in his neighbor. The ASL examples in the book provide a wonderful chance to introduce children to ASL and even teach a few signs.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wordless, or silent, comic, and for obvious reasons – as the great kid that likes cookies and birdsong wants to welcome the new neighbours, but being profoundly deaf might struggle to get along with them. Except he won't, for the language of friendship will beat everything. Yes, this is one huge platitude, but it's done quite well. Three and a half stars.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet picture book. While wordless picture books don't tend to be my favorite, it actually worked very well in this story. Since the boy in the book is deaf, it further highlights the impact of communication. It shows that even between cultures or languages, we can always find a commonalities.

[Ashri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing this book in exchange to my honest review.

My eyes were teary reading this book. Somehow I could feel how deaf people sense the world around them. The story was gentle yet moving, easy to catch. The illustrations were beautiful and delivered the message well.

Kids need to read this book.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly wordless picture book is a great way to help readers empathize with a deaf character. The story follows a deaf boy through a typical day. At the end he meets a new friend. There are 3 signs in the book that the author teaches readers. If you’re going to throw in an ESL lesson then I think it should include signs on every page. It would make the book more appealing to librarians.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher
In a near wordless book (the communication uses American Sign Language) a boy and his mother greet their new neighbors with flowers and find a way to communicate despite language barriers in many levels.

[Rumaisa Bilal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture speaks more than words. American sign language and Muslim refugees in this book are shown that caught my attention. As a child you don't need to know a language to make a friend, signs are enough. I really enjoyed this book.

[Sharrell Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would absolutely share this book with my future classroom because it shares a story about disability, stereotypes, and immigration. So many things that kids should be told about and this book is something that I would like to share.

[Abby Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a deep story about being curious, making friends, and the pleasant wonders we can find in our own neighborhoods. It encourages readers to see past appearances and value the people around them by having familiar characters and interesting stories.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Kasey Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful unique story with a very simple meaning. No matter what boundaries stand between people, you can always choose kindness and friendship.

[Sachi Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of how friendship the universal language of friendship. Two children with outward differences are able to nonverbally communicate and become friends.