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Review from Kirkus Reviews for We Both Speak English but...
July 18, 2023, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/heather-bradley/we-both-speak-english-but/
"Bradley’s colorful illustrated book compares the everyday terms of two cousins living in different countries.
A young Canadian narrator and her Northern Irish cousin, Arlene, both 'speak English but…' there are differences in the words they use for common items. The charming story begins by addressing a common statement made by children: that people from other countries 'speak funny.' Bradley explains through her main character that Arlene 'speaks differently' than the narrator. Each page compares two commonly used items and the word that each cousin uses for that item. Examples include: 'She takes the lift to the seventh floor. I take the elevator' and 'She has biscuits as a treat. I have cookies as a treat.' On the first page, the Canadian child reveals that the cousin 'has an Irish accent like my mum..' Later, sports balls are shown with the Canadian flag and the Union Jack. In Canada, the game is soccer; in Northern Ireland, it’s football. Bradley infuses humor throughout, which adds nicely to the story: 'My cousin wears trousers. I wear pants. She says that pants are underwear and wearing them in public is bonkers!' Young North American readers will learn 'a poke and a flake' is a soft-serve ice-cream cone with a chocolate bar sticking out of it—and European readers will learn that soft-serve cones across the pond are served without candy bars. Throughout, the colorful cartoon illustrations are certain to appeal to young readers; they complement the text nicely and will add to readers’ understanding. Children will enjoy learning about and comparing differences between the two cultures, and the story ends with a family connection: 'But we both say, goodnight, God bless and sweet dreams' and look forward to visiting each other.
An entertaining cultural comparison for young readers."
-Kirkus Reviews
July 18, 2023, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/heather-bradley/we-both-speak-english-but/
"Bradley’s colorful illustrated book compares the everyday terms of two cousins living in different countries.
A young Canadian narrator and her Northern Irish cousin, Arlene, both 'speak English but…' there are differences in the words they use for common items. The charming story begins by addressing a common statement made by children: that people from other countries 'speak funny.' Bradley explains through her main character that Arlene 'speaks differently' than the narrator. Each page compares two commonly used items and the word that each cousin uses for that item. Examples include: 'She takes the lift to the seventh floor. I take the elevator' and 'She has biscuits as a treat. I have cookies as a treat.' On the first page, the Canadian child reveals that the cousin 'has an Irish accent like my mum..' Later, sports balls are shown with the Canadian flag and the Union Jack. In Canada, the game is soccer; in Northern Ireland, it’s football. Bradley infuses humor throughout, which adds nicely to the story: 'My cousin wears trousers. I wear pants. She says that pants are underwear and wearing them in public is bonkers!' Young North American readers will learn 'a poke and a flake' is a soft-serve ice-cream cone with a chocolate bar sticking out of it—and European readers will learn that soft-serve cones across the pond are served without candy bars. Throughout, the colorful cartoon illustrations are certain to appeal to young readers; they complement the text nicely and will add to readers’ understanding. Children will enjoy learning about and comparing differences between the two cultures, and the story ends with a family connection: 'But we both say, goodnight, God bless and sweet dreams' and look forward to visiting each other.
An entertaining cultural comparison for young readers."
-Kirkus Reviews
