About the Book
Every language is important
“You Are a Language Star” was created with a simple belief: every language is important, and every child should have access to stories in their language.
It can be expensive and time-consuming to create a new language resource, especially a children’s book. While the best resource is always going to be one that was created by and for a specific community, I created “You Are a Language Star” to add another option into the mix. The book is a fill-in-the-blanks story where you can add words from your own language into the rhyme scheme. Just like that, the story becomes your own!
While “You Are a Language Star” may be helpful in practicing some basic words, the underlying goal of the story is to build pride in speaking your language. Every child should have pride in their language, because every language is important!
If you are interested in translating the book entirely into your language, or using the text-free illustrations as a basis for a similar concept, contact me. My intention is for this to be as useful a resource as possible, and so if you can imagine a way to use this that would benefit your language community, please be in touch.
Language is all around us
On every page of “You Are a Language Star” there are hidden characters used in alphabets and writing systems from all over the world. Language is all around us, and this is just one way that the book showcases the beauty and unique qualities of the world’s languages!
How many hidden characters can you find in the picture on the left? There is a glossary of all the letters here.
Download for free
“You Are a Language Star” is available to download as a free, high-quality, print-ready PDF.
If you have the means, please consider donating whatever amount is right for you. All money donated will be used to print and provide physical copies to libraries and community centres.
About the Author
Bridget Chase is a queer, settler language technologist who has worked for nearly a decade in digital mobilization for Indigenous languages. They have been privileged to work with and learn from Indigenous language champions both locally and globally. They speak English as their mother language, and are a lifelong leaner of French, Spanish and ASL. Find them pretty much anywhere @bchasemadethis
About the Artists
Wenny Stephanie, who created the beautiful illustrations for the book, is an illustrator from Indonesia. She has more than six years of experience and loves to draw story books, book covers, character design, etc. Wenny speaks Indonesian as her mother language, as well as English.
Katie Lau, who did all of the hand-lettered characters hiding throughout the pages, is an illustrator and digital calligrapher from the United States. Katie is a college student pursuing the medical field with a passion for art. She loves drawing and hand lettering and sharing it with the rest of the world! Katie speaks English as well as some Cantonese. You can find her work @eggm.art
About the Typeface
The typeface used in “You are a Language Star” is the gorgeous and versatile ‘October’ by Typotheque.
Typotheque is a Netherlands-based type design company, recognised internationally as experts in multilingual typography and creating innovative font solutions for both global and local audiences. Typotheque is committed to supporting the inclusion of language diversity through typeface design, including through the Indigenous North American Type project.
