Paper Words

This lovely computer-animated short tells the quietly harrowing story of Mei, a 5-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, Mei would rather be in her garden examining butterflies and other insects, or talking to her doll. Assumptions soon arise 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. Aud: E, H, C, P. (T. Keogh)