​Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
Story and Pictures by Duncan Tonatiuh
 
Charlie lives in New York City; his primo (first cousin) Carlitos lives in rural Mexico. Read their letters to each other and admire the illustrations in flat but fascinating Mixtec style. Tell them apart by Charlie’s baseball cap and Carlitos’ tousled hair. Learn 28 Spanish words from comparisons like getting to school by subway or bicycle. Favorite snacks? Carlitos makes quesadillas, while Charlie favors a pizza slice. When it’s hot, Carlitos jumps into a nearby rio, but his primo enjoys cooling off when a fire hydrant’s opened. Of course, Carlitos gets to shop in a colorful market; Charlie shops with his mom in a supermarket. Best is street entertainment: Carlitos loves fireworks and mariachis outside a tall cathedral, while Charlie and friends watch a New York parade. Both cousins decide it’s high time for a visit. Kids will realize that, no matter where they live--or whether their traditions include trick-or-treating or posadas with a piñata--people are People!
2010, Ages 4 to 8

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

​Mama and Papa Have a Store
Story and Pictures by Amelia Lau Carling
 
In 1938, Carling’s parents fled from war in China and emigrated to Guatemala City. Her memoir of a typical childhood day begins when Amelia hears her father opening the shop’s red doors. Outside she sees vendors setting up paintings and sweets. Inside, Santiago and Maria have come from their Indian village to choose colored thread for weaving gorgeous Mayan designs. Amelia watches Mama cooking lunch--she smells fish sizzling alongside piles of corn tortillas. Later, her siblings sail paper boats in the street after a sudden rainstorm. (When the power goes out, Papa lights gas lamps; the children make shadow puppets with flashlights.) Now it’s time to wait on the many customers, as Papa counts with his abacus. The day ends with Amelia dancing on the tiled floor--“Clic, clac, clac.” Lovely watercolors evoke sounds, smells, tastes, and beautiful patterns--a feast for the senses! Sampling traditions from Spanish, Mayan, and Chinese cultures, readers learn about an immigrant family’s contributions to their adopted country.
2016, Ages 7 up

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.