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Summary
Summary
A heartwarming picture book about a young girl on her first trip to visit family in Mexico, who learns there is no language barrier when it comes to love--from debut author Mónica Mancillas and rising star illustrator Erika Meza. Perfect for fans of Where Are You From and Mango, Abuela, and Me.
Mariana is visiting her abuelita and extended family in Mexico for the first time. Her tummy does a flip as she and Mami cross the frontera.
There are all new sights, smells, and sounds. And at Abuelita's house, Mariana is overwhelmed by new faces and Spanish phrases she doesn't understand.
But with a story, some kindness, and a few new words from Abuelita, Mariana discovers that the love of family knows no cultural divide.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Born out of the author's own experience growing up, Mariana's story imparts the challenges and strengths of families that are culturally and geographically distant. Mariana and her Mami are traveling to México to see her abuelita, tíos, tías, primos, and primas. Visiting her large, Spanish-speaking familia in a new country gives Mariana major jitters. When she mistakenly calls abuelita by aguelita, Mariana is overcome with embarrassment. Abuelita beckons to her, "Ven aquí." Together they read a book about the Big Bad Wolf--un Lobo Hambriento--and Mariana is delighted as Abuelita tells the familiar tale in Spanish. Mariana's feelings about not belonging fade quickly when she adds her fotografía to her family's wall of pictures and joins them for a delicious meal. And thus, the joy and love of familia transcends language and distance, making Mariana feel right at home. The dynamism and vibrancy of Mexican culture spills from the page in Meza's gouache and watercolor pencil illustrations. The use of grayscale for skin tone, pops of painterly font, and playful perspective are unexpected visual twists that make this title a standout. VERDICT The warmth of Mariana's close-knit, yet far-flung family practically radiates off the page, and many young readers will relate. An excellent purchase for most collections.--Sarah Simpson
Publisher's Weekly Review
A child's uncertainty in navigating the dual identities of a bicultural upbringing is affirmingly depicted in Mancillas's insightful debut. Though Mami has told young Mariana that Abuelita's house "was your first home," the child's anxiety only increases as mother and daughter drive across the frontera from the U.S. to Mexico. And despite Abuelita's "warm welcome hug and a cheekful of grandma kisses," Mariana is shy around her family, 15 relatives she's seen in photos but who still feel like "brand-new people." Understanding only a few Spanish words, she longs to play with her cousins, "but she was too afraid to join in." Mancillas's assured narrative, which rings with compassion, smatters Spanish words throughout English lines; in Meza's watercolor pencil and gouache illustrations, Mariana swells with love that gives way to bright-eyed affection for a new place and new people. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
Kirkus Review
A Mexican American child meets her whole extended familia for the first time. In Mami's small pink car, Mariana moves across the frontera and into "a jumble of mismatched buildings of all shapes and sizes" as she takes in the sights and sounds of México. Finally, the two of them arrive at Abuelita's door, and Mariana grabs onto Mami as a shadow looms behind some drapes and a couple of other children peek out. Inside, Mariana's whole family greets her, but not even Abuelita's hug and kisses soothe Mariana's worries. After all, who wouldn't feel shy standing in "this house filled with brand-new people"? When Mariana hands out presents to her familia, she misspeaks and calls her Abuelita "agualita," spurring the other children to start giggling. Embarrassed, Mariana retreats into herself until Abuelita comes to her aid with a storybook full of pictures, crispy quesadillas, and creamy frijoles and arroz, subtly teaching the girl Spanish words. By book's end, Abuelita and Mariana--and everyone else--come together as familia. Measured in its empathy, this tale admirably explores a familial scenario that many readers will understand all too well. Kudos also to Meza's eclectic, colorful artwork, which features double-page spreads full of slightly unusual perspectives that reflect Marians's initial discomfort. Though Spanish words are unitalicized, during crucial moments, a few specific Spanish words appear on the page as vibrant standouts, a visual cue of shared affection. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet look at what familia can mean. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Mancillas and Meza's picture book is a poignant reminder that, while loved ones may not speak the same languages, their affection and care for one another transcend any human language and from a language in and of themselves. When Mariana and her mami return to visit their extended family in Mexico, Mariana feels shy and nervous, and the language barrier seems daunting. But when she sees how accepting and welcoming her tíos, tías, and primos are in Mexico, not to mention how excited her abuelita is to see her, she feels more at home and is excited to come visit again. Mancillas' touching story will be relatable to many first-, second-, and third-generation children and grandchildren of immigrants, who may be reconnecting with their own familias after time and distance apart. Paired with Meza's soft, warm illustrations, the the text creates a soothing story of love that can be shared in many different forms. As Mariana shares gifts she picked out with her excited cousins, and kind Abuelita cooks for her and reads her a story she's familiar with--but this time in Spanish--she comes to realize that being with loved ones is another home away from home.
