Starred review from December 1, 2024
A young girl connects with her family on a trip to Honduras with her father despite language barriers. Equipped with a simple "Hi, how are you?" in Spanish, the child prepares to meet her t�os and t�as, primos and primas. Outside the airport, Papa's brother asks her if she speaks espa�ol. "M�s o menos," she responds. As they zip through the winding city streets in a truck loaned by one of the uncles, the girl spots colorful buildings, bustling neighborhoods, and juicy roadside fruits. At her relatives' auto shop, more t�os welcome Papa and the girl, and a t�a and lots of primos are waiting for them at a cozy house. Through all the banter and stories shared between family, the girl comprehends only a few words, and her attempts to speak Spanish falter when her primos don't understandher. Papa and the child drive up a mountain until they arrive at a little house where Abuela lives. There, the girl discovers new ways to bond with the familia she initially didn't know. In her debut as author/illustrator, Alc�ntara deftly explores the unintended but oh-so-relatable awkwardness that sometimes crops up among families due to language barriers. A palpable sense of hope progressively pervades each encounter as the protagonist slowly breaks through that initial discomfort to forge connections, offering encouragement to readers in similar situations. Meanwhile, the vibrant gouache, marker, and Photoshop artwork features earth tones in its vivid portrait of Honduras. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. This thoughtful and meaningful look at extended familia is a true gem.(Picture book. 4-8)
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January 1, 2025
Grades K-3 A young girl travels to Honduras, her father's homeland, to meet her grandmother and extended family. Nervous because she does not speak or understand much Spanish, she is soon put at ease by her family's warm, enthusiastic welcome. Through sharing a meal, playing soccer, and laughing together, the girl realizes that some connections transcend language barriers: "T�a must be very funny! I don't understand her jokes, but Papa is laughing so hard that I laugh too, because laughter is contagious!" Realizing she has such a large, welcoming family in Honduras, the girl reflects, ""Back home, my family is tiny."" The period of awkward self-consciousness because of language quickly fades away, leaving the girl to ponder, ""And I feel as close to them as if I'd known them forever."" The bright illustrations created with markers, gouache, and Photoshop add vibrant, joyful colors. Speech bubbles and the main text intermingle, adding visual interest. Spanish words and phrases throughout the book highlight the language barrier, yet kind facial expressions convey warmth and love.
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