Tíos y primos

by Jacqueline Alcántara

A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language?

It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect—by sharing the love of delicious food, for example, or by enjoying a good soccer game—and soon she feels like she’s right where she in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Spanish Literature, Cultural, Latinx, Travel

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2025

About the author

Jacqueline Alcántara is a freelance illustrator and educator spending her days drawing, writing, walking her dogs and planning her next adventures. She is fueled by dance music, carbs and coffee. Jacqueline studied Secondary Art Education and taught high school art and photography before transitioning to illustration. She is also an adjuct professor of illustration at Columbia College Chicago.

Reviews

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully crafted book with sweet text and vibrant illustrations! Relatable and full of light and love, this book is one I wish I had when I was a kid. A must read for the Whole family!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that represents the experience many kids have of being a part of more than one culture and feeling like they don't perfectly fit in any of them. I love how the tios and primos find ways to communicate through universal things like food, play, and love, while appreciating the people, experiences, and languages of their family. And, the illustrations are stunning! Highly recommend for any classroom, library, or home bookshelf.

[Valerie Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

We absolutely loved Tíos and Primos! This story captures the warmth, chaos, and joy of big Latin family gatherings so beautifully! The blending of languages feels natural and welcoming rather than overwhelming, and the illustrations are incredibly bright, vibrant and full of personality.

My 6-year-old is an English speaker in a bilingual school where all of his classes are taught in Spanish, and half his classmates are native Spanish speakers.

Tíos and Primos mirrors his life at school as he navigates learning how to communicate with—and understand—people who speak a different language. He’s able to see himself in this book, and to realize he’s not the only kid having this kind of experience.

It’s quickly become a staple in our home! We love it so much that I donated a Spanish copy to his school, where it’s become a favorite in his kindergarten classroom as well.

Books like this matter.

[Solange Guillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tíos and Primos is a beautiful celebration of family, culture, and connection that transcends language. Jacqueline Alcántara’s illustrations are vibrant and full of life — each page feels like a joyful dance of colors, music, and movement that perfectly captures the warmth of family gatherings.

As someone originally from Latin America, I deeply appreciate how this book reflects the experience of introducing children to their extended families back home. It wonderfully portrays that even when words are limited, love, laughter, music, and play are universal languages that bind us together.

This book is a heartfelt reminder that cultural roots and family bonds can be nurtured no matter where we live. It’s a delightful and meaningful read, highly recommended for any immigrant family — and truly, for any family that values diversity, connection, and the joy of being together.

[Marissa Bonham]

This book is about the relationship between a young child and their relationships with their extended family. The child’s family consists of uncles (tíos) and cousins (primos). The story focuses on their shared experiences, cultural ties, and the love that connects them. This story teaches children about the importance of family and that family bonds can extend beyond just parents and siblings. I can use this book in my future classroom to encourage students to share stories about their own family relationships, including their extended families. I can also use this book to foster discussions about different family dynamics.

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think many kids will be able to relate to the experience of meeting distant family members for the first time: who are they? how are they related to you? do the other kids like the same things you like? Add some layers of beginner bilingual communication and travel to a new country, and readers can understand the protagonist's challenge and apprehension. However, readers will also be at ease as the protagonist's father guides her through his hometown and her family enthusiastically welcomes her. This is an educational and joyful family tale based on the author's own experience visiting Honduras with her father.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

       What do you do when you meet family whose language you don’t speak? First of all, I loved the vibrancy of the illustrations in this book. The colors and life pop out on every page, showing you that even the land is rich in culture. I also love the message that there are other ways to understand each other if you don’t speak the same language, especially if it is with family. The love and acceptance is clear throughout the book and it is a great way to show how we are all connected no matter where we are.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl travels with her papi to his homeland, which is never named but looks like it could be Colombia(?). She's worried as she doesn't speak much Spanish: how will her uncles & aunts & cousins & abuela understand her? It's a sweet story for anyone who has lived the bicultural experience, and even those, like myself, who haven't but have many family members who have.

Note: While the story isn't strictly bilingual, it is English with a lot of Spanish sprinkled in.

Themes: culture, family, bilingual
Ages: school age, grades 2-5
Pub year: 2025

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this bilingual story, a girl visits her father’s homeland to meet the many uncles, aunts, and cousins of her extended paternal family, including her grandma, for the first time. Spanish words are interspersed throughout the tale, making this book a good introduction to the language for young learners like this little girl. The story also demonstrates how to manage social anxiety among foreign-language speakers. Engaging illustrations show that love is a common language that everyone understands.

[Paola Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tios and Primos," with beautiful text and stunning full-color illustrations by Jaqueline Alcántara, explores the experience of a young protagonist visiting family in Honduras. She speaks little Spanish, but she longs for connection. Soon, she learns that love and family go beyond all barriers, especially language. This is a wonderful book for sparking conversations about culture and family bonds. A perfect addition to any library!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in English and Spanish, this little girl worries about communicating with her father’s family on a visit to Honduras. Her words tumble out in English and Spanish as her relatives welcome her in Spanish. Her father provides help and guides as she quickly learns new words. Beautiful illustrations provide the perfect support for what Honduras looks like. I turned back multiple times to drink in the words and the beauty of a country I have never seen before. This was a wonderful book!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl and her father visit family in her father's homeland. She speaks limited Spanish and is worried she won't be able to understand anyone. As they travel to visit different family members, the young child feels more comfortable as she realizes that family always finds ways to communicate.

I love the examples of sports, music and food as forms of communication!

[Beth Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for families to read together! The story explores the layered relationships of extended families and the roots of that family. The cultural references are vivid and thoughtful, and highlight the celebration of heritage and family connection. We loved the colorful pictures that helped tell the story of this little girl seeing her family.

[Maritere Rodriguez Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharing one’s country of origin with our children is always a memorable experience. In Tíos and Primos, Jacqueline Alcántara takes the young readers in that amazing journey where a child meets his uncles, aunts, cousins and grandmother for the first time, and realizes that language is not a barrier, and that family love is everything! Illustrations are magical!

[Gema · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that explores intergenerational family connections and how language, despite its barriers, doesn't limit the formation of meaningful connections. As I read, I was transported back to my childhood, visiting my family in Latin America. I wish these narratives were more represented in literature.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about getting to know extended family and how that can sometimes be difficult when there is a language barrier. But the little girl makes the best of it and she tries her best as she meets all her tios, tias, primos, primas and an abuela! A sweet celebration of family near and far.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 281

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

[Tracyp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touched my heart/corazon! Beautiful illustrations give us a peek into what life in Honduras looks like through the eyes of a young English-speaking girl who visits her uncles and cousins and a special grandmother. It looks like it takes place in one day as the color of the sky changes from the beginning to the end of the book. Very fun to learn a few Spanish words in context.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book because the conflict is basic and incredibly relatable for kids. Many children know what it’s like to be shy, feel out of place or not be able to fully express themselves in a new environment. Alcántara converts that into a mute tale of identity and love while never forcing it as didactic.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with color and culture, this wonderfully-illustrated book tells the story of a child who struggles to communicate with her Spanish-speaking extended family, before finding things that bond them all together.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and warm celebration of familia! The gorgeous art shines on every page, and the love of family is wrapped into the text in such a beautiful way. This story really pulled at my heartstrings! It’s a fantastic story for all to share and a perfect bedtime read!

[Moth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book about connecting to your family even with cultural and language differences. The depiction of all the ways that the family helped each other and came together was super sweet to see.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful. Really enjoyed it. I've been through this first hand with my bestfriend's family. Many times though there was a language barrier it was all love from there. its amazing to read a book thatbhas that first hand.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute quick (32 page) book about a girl visiting her Tios (uncles) and Primos (cousins) for the first time. Despite her speaking minimal Spanish and them speaking minimal English, they love each other, bond, and have fun!

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, and really love the way that language is a barrier can be overcome with a loving (and large!) family!

[Molly Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for ESL classrooms! I loved how Spanish and English were combined so all students could understand. A story about a latina girl whos Spanish is not strong.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl finds there is more than one way to connect to family that doesn't speak the same language.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

About connecting with family even through language barriers.

Lots of color and emotion here, with a lot of love for family and the landscape of Honduras.

[Andrea Plecko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story that is filled with warmth, love and laughter! Highly recommend!!

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute, all Spanish children’s book of a child who speaks Spanglish going to meet their Spanish speaking relatives.

[Hannah Showalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely! Really good for English speaking kids to learn more Spanish in a really accessible way, too!