Reviews
​”I am a school principal and I want to use this for my school stuff and my own children.”–Dr. Irella Perez Martinez, High School Principal
Video Librarian Magazine
Sept/Oct 2011 Issue (Vol. 26, No. 5)
3.5 stars (3=good, 4=excellent)
“This lovely computer-animated short tells the quietly harrowing story of Mei, a five year old girl from China now living in America and attending a typical kindergarten class in the Midwest. Struggling with a language barrier, fearful that her teacher will punish her, and finding herself to be a target for teasing, she would rather be in her garden examining butterflies and other insects, or talking to her doll. Assumptions soon are rise that Mei has a learning disability, but her mother (who also speaks no English) knows better. Suspense builds as it begins to appear that Mei will become lost in the education system — held back in the classroom and criticized at home. Written, directed, and produced by Joyce Lee, Paper Words tugs at the heart while illuminating a scenario that Lee says (in an accompanying interview) is all too common for young Chinese immigrants. Highly recommended.”
Audience: Elementary (grades 1-3), high school, college & universities, public libraries.
​(reviewer: T. Keogh)