Next Door by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Isaac Liang; Kids Can Press, 2023.

When I first open a book, I turn to the dedication. I then read acknowledgements and the Author’s Note if they are provided. Though not directly part of the story, these portions of the book offer insights into its creation, such as what sparked the writing, who supported the book in its making, and who the creators wish to honor.

Deborah Kerbel dedicated Next Door to her late sister Kim with whom she will “never stop communicating.” In an Author’s Note filled with touching personal detail, Deborah explains that Kim, who was born profoundly deaf, was the inspiration for this story. In his dedication, Deaf illustrator Isaac Liang, who calls upon his lived experience to add authentic visual details to the story, honors his sister “who is the bridge” between his communication with their parents.

Next Door is a wordless picture book about a Deaf boy welcoming his new neighbors. It highlights the joy in appreciating simple pleasures found in our everyday world, and the value in finding positive ways to overcome differences and connect with others.

Why this book? Why will it matter to kids?

Next Door wordlessly follows a Deaf boy and his mom as they amble through their neighborhood appreciating various sights and activities. Their day culminates with a welcome visit to neighbors who have moved in next door. Although the boy and his new neighbors speak different languages (American Sign Language or ASL and Arabic respectively) they find ways to communicate as they begin a friendship.

Levels and Layers of Learning

Grade level: Pre-K-Grade 3

Social-Emotional Learning Themes

Acceptance, compassion, concern, connection, courage, creativity, curiosity, dedication, diligence, effort, empathy, empowerment, encouragement, fortitude, friendship, generosity of spirit, gratitude, helpfulness, hope,  inspiration, integrity, kindness, perseverance, persistence, perspective, resilience, resourcefulness, respect, responsibility, responsible decision-making, relationship building, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-management, self-reliance, social awareness, tenacity, understanding

Content Area Connections: ELA, Social Studies, Community, Social-Emotional Learning

Using This Book in the Classroom

Hit the Ground Running Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents

Learn more about Deborah and Isaac and their creative work.

Illustration © Isaac Liang

Write Away! Ideas to prompt writing

Ask students to choose a page in the book and provide text to accompany the illustrations. Compile the created text. Read aloud the class story.

Have students write about what happens next. What do the boy and his new neighbor do together?

Brainstorm ways we communicate. Have students write about their favorite way to communicate without words.

In the story, the new neighbor is shy. The boy finds ways to offer his friendship. Then the girl finds ways, too. Ask students to write about how they can offer friendship to a new student or a new neighbor. Compile class suggestions. Read aloud and roleplay. Discuss.

Imagine you are one of the characters in the story. How do you feel at the beginning of the story? How do you feel at the end? What caused you to change the way you feel?

What is your favorite illustration? Why?

What is your favorite part of the story?

Poetry Break Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book

Poetry breaks fit perfectly into brief moments in the school day—from opening or closing exercises to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to transitioning from one subject to the next. Reading a poem typically takes less than a minute; yet, it can introduce or reinforce a concept, provide clarity, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding of a concept, increase attention span, initiate reflection, spark imagination, or simply summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes and strengthens the spirit.

“Poetry builds resilience in kids and adults; it fosters Social and Emotional Learning. A well-crafted phrase or two in a poem can help us see an experience in an entirely new way.” ~  Elena Aguilar

Poems reflecting on community and neighborhoods can be found in these books:

• Amazing Faces poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
• Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, And My Town by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
• Woke by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; see “What Is An Intersection?”  by Mahogany L. Browne and Olivia Gatwood

And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study

Related Books of Interest:

Books with Neighborhood Themes:

•  Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
• Windows by Julia Denos, illustrated by E. B. Goodale

Wordless Books:

Wordless picture books engage children by focusing their attention on visual detail. Following a story’s narrative through illustrations sidesteps language barriers as it strengthens visual literacy and critical thinking skills.

Whirl is another wordless picture book by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. About a maple seed whirling about, it is a great choice for the fall season.

Find an extensive listing of noteworthy wordless books in an earlier Children’s Book Corner post featuring the Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng.

Resources for using wordless picture books with students:

Using Wordless Picture Books in the Classroom

A Guide to Reading Wordless Picture Books with Children

A few examples of American Sign Language (ASL) are demonstrated and translated within the story. Learn more about ASL and view demonstrations of a selection of basic signs.

Deborah is a prolific author across genres and age levels. She would be an excellent candidate for an author study. Here is a partial listing of her books. Find more information on her website.

Recently published:

• Feathered
• Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12)
• Grumble Yawn 
•  The Late, Great Endlings: Stories of the Last Survivors
• Slow Moe
• When Spider Met Shrew 
• Whirl

New in 2023:

• Ary’s Trees
• Opposite Identicals (Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection)
• Rainy Days
• Windy Days (Both  these books were named Bank Street Library “Margaret Wise Brown” Best Board Books of the Year)

Scheduled for 2024:

• Iggy Included (Scholastic Canada)
• What About An Octopus? (Owlkids)

Coming in 2025:

• Community Snowman (Groundwood Books)
• No Huddles For Heloise (Orca Books)
• What About An Elephant? (Owlkids)

Scheduled for 2026:

• Gotcha Day (Orca Books)
• Ungapatchka (Owlkids)

Meet the Author & Illustrator

Deborah Kerbel

Deborah Kerbel is the critically acclaimed, award-winning author of more than twenty-five books for young people. From graphic novels to non-fiction, picture books to middle grade and YA, her work has been nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and the Green Earth Book Award, among others. Born in a future police station in London, England and raised in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, her favourite hobbies are reading, writing, cooking, and walking her dog. Deborah lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, their two university-going kids, and a rescue Schnoodle named Freddie.

Isaac Liang

Born deaf, Isaac Liang is an illustrator based in Singapore. His journey began at the age of four when he started drawing on the cupboards of his home with crayons. He grew up looking around without communication with the world. People. Fashion. Shapes. Colors. Textures. When he is not working, Isaac plans spontaneous escapes; he gains inspiration from traveling and cafe-hopping. Through his illustrations, animations, and traditional art mediums, Isaac amplifies visions and uniquely tells visual stories. He lives in sunny Singapore with his parents.

Backstory: Q & A with Deborah Kerbel and Isaac Liang

I am so glad to have met Deborah and Isaac as a result of my interest in Next Door and to be able to welcome them to the Children’s Book Corner. Deborah was abundantly gracious with her time, and both were warm, accommodating, and appreciative.

Judy Bradbury: Tell us about the seeds of this project: how you became interested in writing a children’s picture book about the beginning of a friendship between a deaf child and his new neighbor, and how you came to the idea to create Next Door as a wordless picture book.

Deborah Kerbel: The seeds of this story started forming after I came upon a video of recently-immigrated Canadian children delighting in the joy of their first snowfall. I began thinking about how play is a universal language for children. And, also, about how people, whatever their ages and backgrounds, have a fundamental need for connection, communication, and understanding. The wheels in my head immediately started turning as I wondered how I might explore these concepts in a book.

JB: Isaac, like the boy in the story you are deaf. How did your experiences inform the illustrations?

Isaac Liang: Thank you very much for your kind compliments. The story is kind of related to me. As a kid, I recalled holding hands with my mum. Yes, I experience a lot even now. Some cyclists give bad stares or gestures for me to make way for them when they cycle from behind. I don’t blame them as they don’t know my hearing condition. However, now I always walk on the left in the pavement.

JB: Describe your collaboration process.

DK: You might be surprised to learn that Isaac and I had no direct interaction throughout the creation of this picture book. This is not uncommon, by the way, even for creators who don’t live on opposite sides of the planet (I’m in Canada and Isaac lives in Singapore). Our wonderful editor, Katie Scott, was the middle person in this collaboration. She handled any and all comments/suggestions/concerns during the process (although I don’t recall there being many of the latter).

IL: I usually am given a manuscript that sparks my imagination and fantasy. I imagine myself as the boy in the movie through the book. Then I start rough sketches and add more details for the approved sketches. Finally, I color everything and refine some edits.

Illustration © Isaac Liang

JB: Tell about one hurdle you experienced in the creation of Next Door, or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the creation of the book.

DK: This is not technically a hurdle, but we did have a sensitivity reader go over the manuscript near the end of the editing stage. She had several suggestions for me to work on strengthening the story before going to press. This extra layer of scrutiny was an invaluable asset to the process.

IL: The story is related to myself and my childhood experiences. I grew up looking around curiously without communication with the community (I didn’t learn English at that time). People, shapes, colors, textures, fashion: I drew everything in the book naturally, based on my personal experiences. 

Illustration © Isaac Liang

JB: What is one unexpected joy that came out of the creation of Next Door?

DK: Having the opportunity to include a photo of my dear late sister, Kim (in the Author’s Note at the back) and also to share a bit about her life and experience with readers was a joy that came from the creation of Next Door.

IL: A hearing friend the boy made in the story! During my whole childhood, all my friends were either deaf or hard-of-hearing. I always wondered what it would be like to befriend hearing kids.

JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or the writing of Next Door?

DK: The two child characters in the story have names, which we didn’t end up using in the final version. But if you’re curious, they are Michael and Maya.

JB: What do you hope young children will take away from Next Door?

IL: The idea of no verbal communication. Sign language between the boy and his mother, the boy and his new friend. I believe that readers are used to speaking and talking with words in their lives. Next Door will give them a better understanding of what the deaf world is like.

The story will also offer deaf awareness. We deafies can do anything like the hearing community. We can make friends. It is my hope that they will be patient communicating with the deaf community.

JB: What need(s) does this story satisfy, or who do you perceive your target audience to be and why?

DK: The target audience for Next Door is really anyone and everyone with a young person in their life, who want to share and discuss themes of kindness, empathy, ability, and inclusion.

JB: How do you see Next Door connecting to curriculum or being used in schools or community learning settings?

DK: Wordless picture books, in general, are great resources to use in learning settings. They can be enjoyed by readers regardless of their backgrounds or language, and also by readers at every level of learning. They are, by their very nature, the most inclusive and accessible form of literature, which makes this genre a perfect complement to the themes in Next Door. Teachers can use Next Door for engaging new and reluctant readers. It would also make a great creativity prompt for kids to ‘fill in the blanks’ with their own words and interpretation of the story.

JB: Isaac, which illustration or spread in the book is your favorite, or which are you most satisfied with, and why?

IL: The scene of the boy and the mother making way for the cyclist. The illustration shows shock and surprised emotions.

JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?

DK: I think many people are curious about the process of “writing” a book with no words.

My answer: Wordless picture books actually involve the same amount of writing and revision (sometimes even more) as a regular text-filled picture book. The author’s contribution is similar in many ways to any other book: a fresh concept, a clear vision, a good story, and a well-paced manuscript that leaves plenty of room for the illustrator.

IL: I wish you asked me whether I could communicate personally with my mother. We can’t communicate well even now. I only know English while my mother prefers speaking Mandarin and Chinese. It was hard on me as kid.

JB: What project(s) are you currently working on?

DK: I’m in the final editing stages for my next middle-grade novel, Iggy Included, which will be coming out in May 2024 with Scholastic Canada. I’m also in various stages of production for six upcoming picture books (including another wordless one).

IL: I am currently working on children’s book projects and illustrating signs for the cues for the school in my home country, Singapore. 

Sidebar Spotlight New releases of note

Each month I receive several boxes of books to review from various publishers. As I read and peruse the books, I place them in two piles: those that I will consider featuring on the blog, and those that don’t fit the mission or theme of Children’s Book Corner blog for whatever reason. I highlight some of the books in the “possible” pile on Mondays (most weeks) on Instagram.

Ultimately, I choose the one new release I will feature on my monthly blog post. Yet there are many terrific books I wish I could give a shout-out to, even if I can’t write an entire post about each one. So, Sidebar Spotlight is a means of giving a nod to new releases that, in my opinion, are noteworthy. I’ve linked each title to Bookshop so you can learn more. Happy reading, friends! And feel free to comment on these or other new books below.

All The Small Wonderful Things by Kate Foster is a warm-hearted, hopeful novel centered on eleven-year-old Alex whose autism is just one facet of this dimensional story featuring family, sibling connections, friendship, and a most lovable dog.

I Am Stuck by Julia Mills is a sweet, fun friendship book ideal for little listeners ready for their daily read-aloud. The art is playful and the characters’ reactions to their troubles will have kids and reader laughing—and reflecting—on what to do when they feel stuck. The last page of the book offers additional help.

Maid For It by Jamie Sumner is a feel-good middle grade novel featuring a plucky but sensitive girl and secondary characters who feel as real. Franny is navigating the bumps in the road of life, including bullies, anxiety, a crush, her mom’s addiction recovery, and manages to find creative solutions making for a satisfying read.

The Shape of You by Múợn Thị Vӑn and illustrated by Miki Sato begins with noticing the shapes of big things, like earth and mountains, and gradually shifts the focus to smaller shapes and then those more abstract, like the shape of surprise. The simple text and vibrant, dimensional collages culminate with the shape of love. Highly recommended read aloud—to be enjoyed again and again.

News, Updates, & Items of Interest

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Over to You…

Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts on this featured prompt related to this month’s post:

What recently published books about connecting with others, despite differences, do you recommend?

Share the title and author of the book in the comments section.

You are also welcome to post a general comment.

For last month’s post, author Sue Heavenrich generously offered to send a signed copy of The Pie That Molly Grew to a Children’s Book Corner Subscriber. 

The lucky winner is Patty! Look for your copy of the book to arrive on your doorstep soon.

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Final Thought