Interpreter

Olivia Abtahi is a filmmaker and author. Her debut novel, Perfectly Parvin, received an SCBWI Golden Kite Honor, a YALSA Odyssey Honor, and numerous starred reviews. She is also the author of Azar on Fire and the forthcoming Rostam and the Red Dwarf. The Interpreter is her picture book debut. Olivia grew up in the DC area and now lives in Denver, Colorado, with her family.Monica Arnaldo is the award-winning author of several picture books, including Are You a Cheeseburger? (a Kids' Indie Next pick) and Mr. S (a Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist Best Book of the Year). Her illustrations have also appeared in middle grade novels and children’s magazines. She works both traditionally and digitally when she’s illustrating, combining watercolor, pencil crayons, and Photoshop to create images full of character. She grew up in Ontario, Canada, and now lives in Quebec with her family.

Praise for The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi; illustrated by Monica Arnaldo:A 2026 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Award (PADIBA) PB/GN WinnerA NCSS-CBC 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young PeopleAn ALSC 2026 Notable Children’s Book (Younger Readers category)A 2026 International Literacy Association (ILA) Notable Books for a Global Society Award WinnerNational Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 2026 Charlotte Huck Recommended BookA 2026 Alma Flor Ada Book AwardA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Evanston Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Booklist Editors’ Choice, NPR, Kirkus, New York Public Library, Children’s Book Review, Shelf Awareness ★ “Abtahi masterfully weaves an everyday tale that will be familiar to designated translators of all ages from immigrant families. . . . Arnaldo’s bright watercolor and pencil-crayon artwork provides much-needed levity . . . Sensationally true to life.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ “Abtahi (Twin Flames), making a well-developed picture book debut …[with] lively watercolor and pencil crayon illustrations from Arnaldo (The Museum of Very Bad Smells) show the strain of Cecilia’s moving back and forth, until supportive changes help her become a kid who’s happy to help, ‘...just not all the time.'”—Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ “With its emotionally resonant look at one aspect of immigrant family dynamics, this title is a solid purchase for picture book collections.”—School Library Journal, starred review★ “Abtahi's story about circumstances of bilingual family life that sometimes force children into these adult roles is engagingly rendered in Arnaldo’s colored pencil and watercolor drawings that both reflect the silliness of the situation and neatly show how overwhelmed Cecilia becomes…In addition to nicely balancing an important topic with lighthearted comedy, the book also offers a solution of teamwork that is both thoughtful and respectful to the entire family.” —Booklist, starred review★ “A clever, straight-from-the-heart story . . . excellent.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review “Stellar.” —BookPage“Abtahi, who took inspiration from her own multilingual childhood, strikes an important balance...the necessity of interpreting for immigrant parents is not dismissed or shamed, while the pressure it can place on their children is addressed with empathy.”—The Horn Book“Bright, colorful, and clever, this is one book we’ve been waiting for years to see. We just didn’t know it yet.”—Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Fuse 8 BlogSelect praise for Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi:2023 Texas Lone Star Reading List 2022 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick2022 ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List2021 New York Public Library Best Book2021 Chicago Public Library Best Book★ “A joyful celebration of the right to take up space in the world.” —Booklist, starred review★ “Truly delightful.” —School Library Journal, starred reviewSelect praise for Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo:Amazon Best Book of the Month & Editor's PickA Junior Library Guild SelectionPublishers Weekly Best Book of 2023Indigo Best Book of the Year2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2023 New York Public Library Best Book 2023 School Library Journal Best Book Booklist Editor's Choice★ “Deliciously goofy." —Publishers Weekly, starred review★ “A memorable read-aloud choice." —Booklist, starred review★ “Fun and entertaining." —School Library Journal, starred review