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Colorful Mondays: A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras (Stories from Latin America
A beautiful, empowering story about the impact of literacy in underprivileged communities, based on a real bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Luis’s favorite day of the week is Monday, the day the bookmobile comes to his neighborhood. In Villa Nueva, sad stories can gather like dark, stormy clouds. But at the bookmobile, Luis hears stories that burst with life, laughter, and color. Maybe today will bring a song or a puppet show! He might even get to pick a book to read on his own. Every new Monday fills Luis and his neighbors with a joy they can’t help but bring back home.
Co-written by the director of JustWorld International’s bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Colorful Mondays is an inspiring celebration of the ways books and learning can bring joy to a community. Illustrated in captivating swirls of color, this uplifting book highlights the strength of disadvantaged children and the creativity of those who help them imagine a better future.
Luis’s favorite day of the week is Monday, the day the bookmobile comes to his neighborhood. In Villa Nueva, sad stories can gather like dark, stormy clouds. But at the bookmobile, Luis hears stories that burst with life, laughter, and color. Maybe today will bring a song or a puppet show! He might even get to pick a book to read on his own. Every new Monday fills Luis and his neighbors with a joy they can’t help but bring back home.
Co-written by the director of JustWorld International’s bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Colorful Mondays is an inspiring celebration of the ways books and learning can bring joy to a community. Illustrated in captivating swirls of color, this uplifting book highlights the strength of disadvantaged children and the creativity of those who help them imagine a better future.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2023
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 2, 2024
Colorful Mondays is a magical book that portrays the reality of many children in Honduras who lack the opportunity to have or being exposed to the privilege of books. Inspired by the rural areas and neighborhoods that lack the privilege of having libraries or centers where children can have access to books, one of the authors, Nelson Rodriguez, who is also one of the characters in the story, recounts how Mondays are a special day not only for him but also for many kids, especially for Luis.
Luis is a young boy who lives in a small town called Villa Nueva, Honduras, and like other parts of the world, his town is filled with people who have their own stores of life, stories filled with joy and stories filled with challenges that sometimes bring pain and suffering. However, for Luis the bad stories can be erased or substituted by the new stories which Nelson brings every Monday with his bookmobile.
In addition, the illustrators echoed the writers 'voice throughout the different colors of the pictures reflecting the different emotions of the stories in Villa Nueva. The first pages emerged the readers into the dark colors of the emotions and sad stories of villa Nueva. People working hard, kids helping with the work perhaps condemned to repeat the same sad stories of the adults. However, as the reader continues wandering through each page, the colorful characters and settings start emerging and suddenly the reader is back to the magical moments that bring joy to this town. The story of Villa Nueva is the same stories of so many remote areas of the world, different countries, different languages that resemble the same scenarios and struggles of life.
Luis is a young boy who lives in a small town called Villa Nueva, Honduras, and like other parts of the world, his town is filled with people who have their own stores of life, stories filled with joy and stories filled with challenges that sometimes bring pain and suffering. However, for Luis the bad stories can be erased or substituted by the new stories which Nelson brings every Monday with his bookmobile.
In addition, the illustrators echoed the writers 'voice throughout the different colors of the pictures reflecting the different emotions of the stories in Villa Nueva. The first pages emerged the readers into the dark colors of the emotions and sad stories of villa Nueva. People working hard, kids helping with the work perhaps condemned to repeat the same sad stories of the adults. However, as the reader continues wandering through each page, the colorful characters and settings start emerging and suddenly the reader is back to the magical moments that bring joy to this town. The story of Villa Nueva is the same stories of so many remote areas of the world, different countries, different languages that resemble the same scenarios and struggles of life.
October 10, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and plan to add it to my classroom library. This is a story about a boy named Luis who lives in Honduras and wants to spread joy in a time when, the author writes, there is “an abundance of sadness.” The illustrations captured this beautifully, as there is a stark contrast between the blue, which represents sadness, and the rainbow of colors that follow Luis wherever he goes. Luis’s favorite day is Monday, when the bookmobile comes to his community. On this day, the people of his community get a temporary escape from the sadness and have the opportunity to read, share, and write about the books they’ve received. The author writes, “Luis looks around and notices that his friends have forgotten that they’re hungry or that they have no shoes.”
This book would be great to use with younger readers, especially during times of sadness and uncertainty. This could also be used to invite conversations about showing empathy towards others’ experiences and perspectives.
This book would be great to use with younger readers, especially during times of sadness and uncertainty. This could also be used to invite conversations about showing empathy towards others’ experiences and perspectives.
January 2, 2025
Read Around the World: Honduras
This was very well done; an excellent story that shows what life is like in rural Honduras and how exciting it is to have the Bookmobile come and share snacks, puppet shows, and most importantly, books. Based on the author's own experience [and he is a character as well in the story], this is a brightly illustrated, well-written, fantastic way to show littles just how different life is in other countries. I absolutely loved this!!
This was very well done; an excellent story that shows what life is like in rural Honduras and how exciting it is to have the Bookmobile come and share snacks, puppet shows, and most importantly, books. Based on the author's own experience [and he is a character as well in the story], this is a brightly illustrated, well-written, fantastic way to show littles just how different life is in other countries. I absolutely loved this!!
May 10, 2025
I found Colorful Monday by Nelson Rodríguez through the Skipping Stones Honor Award list, a trusted resource for identifying multicultural and inclusive children's literature. I read a physical copy of the book, which allowed me to appreciate the vibrancy of the illustrations. Originally published on September 19, 2023, Colorful Monday was written by Leonardo Agustín Montes and Nelson Rodríguez and illustrated by Carla Tabora and Rosana Faria.
As a preschool teacher working with a diverse group of 4- and 5-year-olds, many of whom are first- or second-generation children with roots in Central and South America, Colorful Monday deeply resonated with both me and my classroom. The story offers more than just a colorful narrative; it reflects what our course textbook calls “mirrors and windows.” It serves as a mirror for some children who may recognize their own families' journeys and as a window for others to understand life in places like Honduras. One of the most powerful aspects of this story is how it captures the joy and excitement children feel when they receive books, despite the difficult conditions around them. This message is a moving reminder of how books can provide both comfort and inspiration. The story introduces the concept of hardship in a developmentally appropriate way, giving young readers a glimpse into the challenges others face while emphasizing resilience and hope.
The illustrations are breathtaking, particularly the depiction of a rainbow, a symbol that captivates the imagination of 5-year-olds no matter where they come from. The vivid colors and expressive characters support comprehension and emotional engagement, aligning with our textbook’s emphasis on the value of high-quality illustrations in early childhood literature. The book also encourages important and meaningful conversations about fairness, access to books, and education, topics that can be gently introduced in early childhood through guided discussion, storytelling, and personal connections. It opens up conversations about where our families come from, what kinds of stories we hear at home, and why books are something to celebrate and share.
Colorful Monday is recommended for ages 4 to 8. While preschoolers benefit from it as a rich and engaging read-aloud, early elementary students can dive deeper into its themes through classroom discussions, writing, or art-based response activities. In my classroom, I would pair this story with a drawing or storytelling activity where children imagine their own library filled with books that represent them and their families. This book supports oral language development, encourages cultural responsiveness, and helps build empathy, a core elements in our approach to early literacy instruction. Colorful Monday is a beautiful reminder that stories can bring light even in dark places, and that reading is a powerful and joyful gift every child deserves.
As a preschool teacher working with a diverse group of 4- and 5-year-olds, many of whom are first- or second-generation children with roots in Central and South America, Colorful Monday deeply resonated with both me and my classroom. The story offers more than just a colorful narrative; it reflects what our course textbook calls “mirrors and windows.” It serves as a mirror for some children who may recognize their own families' journeys and as a window for others to understand life in places like Honduras. One of the most powerful aspects of this story is how it captures the joy and excitement children feel when they receive books, despite the difficult conditions around them. This message is a moving reminder of how books can provide both comfort and inspiration. The story introduces the concept of hardship in a developmentally appropriate way, giving young readers a glimpse into the challenges others face while emphasizing resilience and hope.
The illustrations are breathtaking, particularly the depiction of a rainbow, a symbol that captivates the imagination of 5-year-olds no matter where they come from. The vivid colors and expressive characters support comprehension and emotional engagement, aligning with our textbook’s emphasis on the value of high-quality illustrations in early childhood literature. The book also encourages important and meaningful conversations about fairness, access to books, and education, topics that can be gently introduced in early childhood through guided discussion, storytelling, and personal connections. It opens up conversations about where our families come from, what kinds of stories we hear at home, and why books are something to celebrate and share.
Colorful Monday is recommended for ages 4 to 8. While preschoolers benefit from it as a rich and engaging read-aloud, early elementary students can dive deeper into its themes through classroom discussions, writing, or art-based response activities. In my classroom, I would pair this story with a drawing or storytelling activity where children imagine their own library filled with books that represent them and their families. This book supports oral language development, encourages cultural responsiveness, and helps build empathy, a core elements in our approach to early literacy instruction. Colorful Monday is a beautiful reminder that stories can bring light even in dark places, and that reading is a powerful and joyful gift every child deserves.
October 8, 2024
I found Colorful Mondays on the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative website, and the beautiful cover and subtitle—"A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras" immediately drew me in. The story follows Luis, a boy in Villa Nueva, Honduras, whose town is filled with sad stories. However, Luis brings joy and colorful stories from the bookmobile every Monday. The illustrations shift from muted tones to vibrant colors as he shares these stories, symbolizing the transformative power of reading.
Every Monday Luis has the opportunity to read new stories from the book mobile. One of the best parts of the book for me was how it portrays Luis’ passion for reading and excitement to share happy stories with those around him. It discusses how much he loves the opportunity to hold and smell books and how he leaves with amazing stories to share and dream about. I think this is what makes the book so special is that you are able to deeply understand how important reading was to Luis and the impact it had on his life. As the story unfolds the colors shift from muted colors to a rainbow over the city symbolizing the incredible power of reading and storytelling.
I think this would be a wonderful book for elementary students because it beautifully illustrates the powerful effect books have on children. It opens up meaningful discussions about access to literature and introduces readers to different cultures. Throughout this book you are able to see how reading fosters hope, dreams, and a sense of agency in Luis. Additionally, it portrays the importance of spreading happiness and joy with those around you and how it brings hope and joy to the entire community.
In my classroom, I’d love to read this book so my students can notice the symbolism of color as they follow the story. It would be a great way to get them thinking more critically about why authors and illustrators make certain choices and how those decisions impact the overall meaning of a book. Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce them to deeper themes like hope and transformation through something as simple as the change in colors.
Every Monday Luis has the opportunity to read new stories from the book mobile. One of the best parts of the book for me was how it portrays Luis’ passion for reading and excitement to share happy stories with those around him. It discusses how much he loves the opportunity to hold and smell books and how he leaves with amazing stories to share and dream about. I think this is what makes the book so special is that you are able to deeply understand how important reading was to Luis and the impact it had on his life. As the story unfolds the colors shift from muted colors to a rainbow over the city symbolizing the incredible power of reading and storytelling.
I think this would be a wonderful book for elementary students because it beautifully illustrates the powerful effect books have on children. It opens up meaningful discussions about access to literature and introduces readers to different cultures. Throughout this book you are able to see how reading fosters hope, dreams, and a sense of agency in Luis. Additionally, it portrays the importance of spreading happiness and joy with those around you and how it brings hope and joy to the entire community.
In my classroom, I’d love to read this book so my students can notice the symbolism of color as they follow the story. It would be a great way to get them thinking more critically about why authors and illustrators make certain choices and how those decisions impact the overall meaning of a book. Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce them to deeper themes like hope and transformation through something as simple as the change in colors.
May 2, 2025
I found “Colorful Mondays: A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras” through the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative website. This picture book tells the true story of a bookmobile bringing books to kids in rural villages in Honduras, giving them something to look forward to every Monday. I read the print version, and the colorful illustrations made the story even more powerful. While reading this book, it reminded me of a section I highlighted from “Essentials of Children’s Literature”: “literature invites them into the world of children from that culture and provides rich details about daily life, human emotions, and relationships, answering questions that are significant to children,” (page 68). I recommend it for grades K–3, especially for lessons about community, hope and connecting reading to the real world.
September 29, 2023
"Luis hopes that all the bookmobile’s visitors take away with them, as he does, the feeling of freedom that’s necessary for running, for laughing, for sharing happy stories.”
Based on a real bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Colorful Mondays tells the story of a young boy named Luis who lives in Villa Nueva, Honduras. In his country, so many sad stories fill the lives of his people, overshadowing any happiness that may try to slip through. Luis deeply wishes that he could fill his friends’ and family’s lives with the color and positivity that “happy stories” bring. Being an aspiring storyteller himself, he cheerfully tells awe-inspiring tales with flair. Where does he get these stories from? Well, every Monday, Gerson and Nelson – who run a bookmobile program – come for the Hour of the Chochororochochochó! Follow Luis as he explores the wonders and hues that bloom in his room through the power of storytelling and artistry.
Colorful Mondays is the perfect story to illustrate the powerful effect that children’s books have on youth. It emphasizes the idea of the immense potential that stories, particularly happy ones, have in instilling hope and possibility in a child. I love the “colorful” theme being explored in both the art style and the narrative, as it visually shows the domino effect that storytelling can have on an individual and the community. Rosana Faría and Carla Taboraco’s art style fosters a mural feel, with each panel flowing into each other with swirls of color and strokes of shade. Colorful Mondays reminds me of a picture book I reviewed called Music Is A Rainbow by Bryan Collier, because both stories handle the topic of tough and sad situations and show how art—through storytelling or music—breathes life and promise into the world. It’s clear to see how much care, love, and pride has gone into this book. It not only contributes to the growing collection of diverse Hispanic literature, but it also shows how fiction and reality can mingle to produce a kaleidoscopic world!
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Based on a real bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Colorful Mondays tells the story of a young boy named Luis who lives in Villa Nueva, Honduras. In his country, so many sad stories fill the lives of his people, overshadowing any happiness that may try to slip through. Luis deeply wishes that he could fill his friends’ and family’s lives with the color and positivity that “happy stories” bring. Being an aspiring storyteller himself, he cheerfully tells awe-inspiring tales with flair. Where does he get these stories from? Well, every Monday, Gerson and Nelson – who run a bookmobile program – come for the Hour of the Chochororochochochó! Follow Luis as he explores the wonders and hues that bloom in his room through the power of storytelling and artistry.
Colorful Mondays is the perfect story to illustrate the powerful effect that children’s books have on youth. It emphasizes the idea of the immense potential that stories, particularly happy ones, have in instilling hope and possibility in a child. I love the “colorful” theme being explored in both the art style and the narrative, as it visually shows the domino effect that storytelling can have on an individual and the community. Rosana Faría and Carla Taboraco’s art style fosters a mural feel, with each panel flowing into each other with swirls of color and strokes of shade. Colorful Mondays reminds me of a picture book I reviewed called Music Is A Rainbow by Bryan Collier, because both stories handle the topic of tough and sad situations and show how art—through storytelling or music—breathes life and promise into the world. It’s clear to see how much care, love, and pride has gone into this book. It not only contributes to the growing collection of diverse Hispanic literature, but it also shows how fiction and reality can mingle to produce a kaleidoscopic world!
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
April 28, 2024
This was a hopeful look into how reading can bring happiness to peoples' lives. Luis is a young boy in Villa Nueva, Honduras who loves bringing happiness to people in his village. On Monday's a book Mobile driven by Gershon and Nelson come to his village to put on puppet shows and bring books to the village. This is Luis' favorite day. Luis is so inspired by the book mobile that he decides to write his own stories and share them with Nelson and his friends and family. Nelson encourages this in Luis and tells him he has a knack for writing. This story has beautiful illustrations by Carla Tabora and Rosana Faria. The illustrations blend realism with fantastical imagery and help bring the words to life. A common theme is hope and this is represented by the rainbow that Luis shares with his family and the vision he has of spreading this rainbow to everyone he can. The illustrations are colorful, vibrant, and bring joy to the reader. Overall this a great story about how books, imagination, and positivity can spread hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2023
Bookmobiles will always hold a special place in my heart because I used to work on one. COLORFUL MONDAYS: A BOOKMOBILE SPREADS HOPE IN HONDURAS is a powerful story about a mobile library project that serves underprivileged communities. Readers follow a boy named Luis who loves to share happy stories. Luis and the other children look forward to bookmobile day every week. When the bookmobile visits his town, Luis notices that his friends have forgotten that they’re hungry or that they have no shoes. This book gently acknowledges hardship while also showing how books bring hope and joy. “The bookmobile brings a rainbow with it each Monday: stories of laughter, adventure, hope. And if there are tears, they are of joy, of transformation into something better.” COLORFUL MONDAYS captures the importance and beauty of outreach in such a special way. This honest and uplifting picture book made my heart smile!
October 12, 2025
Colorful Mondays by Nelson Rodriguez and Leonardo Agustin Montes is a Honduran book published in 2021 for young readers. This book has been recognized for the message it brings to its readers. This is a story about how children feel when a bookmobile comes to their town to share books. Luis, a boy from Villa Nueva, brings joy and colorful stories in contrast to the sad stories that his town is filled with. He is excited for every Monday when the bookmobile shows up to share happy stories with those around him through reading. This book shows how reading can make a positive impact on a child's life and make it better than what life expects it to be, based on where you or your family are from.
This book is good for 1st and 2nd graders who can benefit from the wonderful stories that they can come across and change their lives. Reading can become something impactful and open eyes and minds towards different experiences.
This book is good for 1st and 2nd graders who can benefit from the wonderful stories that they can come across and change their lives. Reading can become something impactful and open eyes and minds towards different experiences.
August 2, 2024
This is a debut in the English language for theses Honduran authors one of which, Nelson Rodriguez, is the actual bookmobile librarian featured in the story serving underserved communities. The beautiful vivid hues of colors used in the illustrations are done by two illustrations living in Spain and they are spectacular including the outlines of animals used on the end papers. The translator of the story lives in Spain and has done many book translations.
However, I feel this title will not read in a fluid manner when read aloud. Grateful to have encountered a new Spanish word, merienda, which is defined in the content of the text.
However, I feel this title will not read in a fluid manner when read aloud. Grateful to have encountered a new Spanish word, merienda, which is defined in the content of the text.
September 23, 2023
Brief summary: Luis lives in Villa Nueva, Honduras, and prefers sharing happy stories with his friends and neighbors to take their minds off unhappiness. He is good at storytelling and likes to retell stories. Monday is when the bookmobile comes for the Hour of the Chochororochochochó, where the bookmobile comes to share stories and books. Luis repeats the stories he has heard with his family.
Comments: The back pages tell the factual story of JustWorld International.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Comments: The back pages tell the factual story of JustWorld International.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
January 16, 2024
Inspirational true story about a bookmobile spreading hope and the love of reading in Honduras. The illustrations are what truly bring this story to life- they are colourful, vibrant, and full of emotion! This is an excellent read-aloud for all ages, especially to spark conversations and promote empathy & understanding.
I really enjoyed hearing more about this story on the back pages & seeing the photos.
I look forward to sharing this story with more of my students, and using it as a part of a lesson on the accessibility of books & education in different parts of the world.
I really enjoyed hearing more about this story on the back pages & seeing the photos.
I look forward to sharing this story with more of my students, and using it as a part of a lesson on the accessibility of books & education in different parts of the world.
January 19, 2026
Fantastic book about the luxury of imagination, colour, and happy stories in a setting marked by poverty. How precious and rich are simple joys when we are not so privileged as to take them for granted.
February 6, 2026
Highly recommend this book for our current political climate. This was a lovely book about spreading education and joy, even when the world around us is filled with sadness. The art style and use of color in this book were beautiful.
August 31, 2023
Luis’s favorite day of the week is Monday, the day the bookmobile comes to his neighborhood in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
January 20, 2024
Beautiful book about the hope that stories can bring. Based on the author’s experiences.
February 2, 2024
Buying this for my school library. Such a wonderful, important story.
March 1, 2024
In this beautifully illustrated book, a Honduran boy sees joy and happiness in the form of colors and watches as his community fills with color as a bookmobile visits.
June 10, 2024
Lots of splashes of color, a story of the importance of the bookmobile in Honduras.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews