The Interpreter [Hardcover]

A sharp and heartfelt picture book about a young soccer-loving girl who’s an interpreter for her Spanish-speaking parents.

Some kids have one job: to be a kid! Cecilia has two. When she isn't on the soccer field scoring goals, she's accompanying her parents to all kinds of grown-up places, like the DMV, the accountant's office, and the auto shop. She helps them translate from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish. It’s an important job, and it can even be fun. It’s also hard work. 

Sometimes Cecilia's second job is so much responsibility, it feels like she'll split in two! Is it time for Cecilia to blow her whistle and call for a time-out?

Olivia Abtahi’s clever text and Monica Arnaldo’s charming illustrations capture a common aspect of life for immigrant and bilingual families while offering a model for teamwork that helps everyone feel understood.Praise for The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi; illustrated by Monica Arnaldo:

A 2026 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Award (PADIBA) PB/GN Winner
A NCSS-CBC 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
An ALSC 2026 Notable Children’s Book (Younger Readers category)
A 2026 International Literacy Association (ILA) Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 2026 Charlotte Huck Recommended Book
A 2026 Alma Flor Ada Book Award
A 2026 Américas Award Commended Title
A Bank Street Best Children's Books of 2026
A 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