Word Trouble

About this book

When Ronnie and his mum and dad move to England, Ronnie only knows a few phrases in English: Hello, My name is Ronnie, I am four, Yes and No. So, when he starts at nursery, he is a little nervous that he won’t fit in with the other children.

On Ronnie’s first day in kind Mrs Seema’s class, he introduces himself – a little back to front – and feels like he’ll never fit in. Yet, when Dad takes Ronnie to the park, he makes a friend and realises that even if he’s not quite there with learning the new language yet, playing is the same in any country!

Vyara Boyadjieva’s warm and caring picture book about moving to a new country – and learning a new language when you’re still learning how to do everything – is a wonderful story about acceptance and resilience. Her pencil drawings are sweet and friendly, and there’s a reassuring message here that if we give new places a chance, they can often turn out to be great.