It's Okay, Just Ask

Ages 4 to 7, Grades 2 And Up

An uplifting immigration story about tackling new experiences with curiosityA little girl and her family are emigrating to a new country. As they say goodbye to their home and move to an unfamiliar place, the girl is full of questions: Will they ever return? What if she doesn’t make new friends? Why does she look different than the other kids? Her mother’s supportive refrain encourages her to voice her curiosity: It’s okay, just ask!Sometimes the answers lead to exciting discoveries. Other times, the answers are unclear, or prompt even more questions. But each time the girl chooses to just ask, she learns more about her community and herself.Partially based on the author’s own experience moving her family from the Philippines to Canada, this is a thoughtful, child-centered look at being a newcomer. While exploring the specific experience of immigrants, it also shares a more universal message about speaking up when uncertain or confused. It welcomes readers to ask questions when they’re unsure, and approach different people and places with an open mind.

About the Author

MONIQUE LEONARDO CARLOS is a homeschooling mom, a former classroom teacher, and a long-time collector of picture books. Born in the Philippines, Monique now lives with her husband, three children, and two dogs in beautiful Surrey, British Columbia.SALINI PERERA has been making art for as long as she can remember. Now, she gets to make art for picture books-a lifelong dream come true. She was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. She lives in Toronto with her husband Michael and their three cats, Victoria, Albert, and Alice.