What do you think?
Rate this book
Abuelita's Heart
Before returning to the city with her parents, a young girl walks with her grandmother, learning about the special feelings, places, and plants that are part of her heritage and the Southwestern desert where Abuelita lives
- GenresLatinx
32 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1997
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 20, 2013
This is a touching story about a young girl who goes to visit her grandmother; her grandmother than begins to teach the young girl about their heritage. Toward the end a lovely moral is taught, that the greatest gift of all is that of the heart. Additionally the story mixes in Spanish words, and Native American traditions, which are accompanied with beautiful and extremely colorful illustrations! I would recommend this story for second grade and up.
September 16, 2012
This is a touching story that made me want to call my own grandmother and tell her I love her! Spanish is sprinkled throughout the text but it is not hard to decipher the meaning using context clues. I think students would really connect with this book because we all have a family member that keeps us grounded and reminds us what is important in life-the ones you love.
August 21, 2009
Before returning to the city with her parents, a young girl walks with her grandmother, learning about the special feelings, places, and plants that are part of her heritage and the Southwestern desert where Abuelita lives. www.hcpl.net
May 1, 2025
Summary:
This book was a heartfelt story about a young girl who has a special bond with her grandmother, Abuelita. Throughout the book, it emphasized the love and strength that has been passed down from generation to generation, especially during difficult times.
Commentary:
This is an inspirational book to read. As I read the story, I felt the author's emotions throughout the book. As someone who was close to their maternal Abuelita, this book definitely took me to that place that I cherish so much. Remembering the time I spent with my grandmother is something that I often look back on. It demonstrates the importance of family connections and family. The illustrations were beautiful, and I enjoyed how the book emphasized family, love, and emotional strength during difficult times (ChatGPT, 2025)
Application:
For my future classroom, this book will be my go-to for when I give a lesson on family traditions. I could read the book out loud then have the students draw and write about a special relationship they have with someone in their family. As suggested by Amazon the age group for this book is 5-8 years old (2025). I will have to agree with that age group; the students are too young and will be able to speak about someone they deeply care about in their family.
This book was a heartfelt story about a young girl who has a special bond with her grandmother, Abuelita. Throughout the book, it emphasized the love and strength that has been passed down from generation to generation, especially during difficult times.
Commentary:
This is an inspirational book to read. As I read the story, I felt the author's emotions throughout the book. As someone who was close to their maternal Abuelita, this book definitely took me to that place that I cherish so much. Remembering the time I spent with my grandmother is something that I often look back on. It demonstrates the importance of family connections and family. The illustrations were beautiful, and I enjoyed how the book emphasized family, love, and emotional strength during difficult times (ChatGPT, 2025)
Application:
For my future classroom, this book will be my go-to for when I give a lesson on family traditions. I could read the book out loud then have the students draw and write about a special relationship they have with someone in their family. As suggested by Amazon the age group for this book is 5-8 years old (2025). I will have to agree with that age group; the students are too young and will be able to speak about someone they deeply care about in their family.
August 22, 2018
Love this book : )
October 19, 2022
I really liked this book! The beautiful imagery, illustration, and the use of Spanish was so special. I just felt like the book was a little too long to hold the attention span of a child.
July 12, 2011
Ricardo Bizarro
Picture Books
Lit HW
Young readers
Cordova, Amy. Abuelita’s Heart. Illinois: McGraw-Hill, 1997.
Pages are not numbered
Awards:
• No awards
Summary: Before returning to the city with her parents, a young girl walks with her grandmother, learning about the special feelings, places, and plants, that are part of her heritage and the Southwestern desert where Abuelita lives. In the end the little girl feels in touch with her ancestors and her heritage.
Literary Element #1: Personification: This story uses personification to help the reader picture a vivid scene in their mind. For example, “each day the great sky herds wooly clouds over the mountains to far-off pastures.”
Literary Element #2: Mood: The author used language as to develop such a serene feeling. For example, “The dusty path to Abuelita’s weaves across the canyon like a drowsy red snake”. This makes the reader feel at ease and puts the mood of the story in a calm and happy place ready to be taken away to a different setting.
Literary Element #3: Imagery: Cordova uses wonderful language to really paint a picture in the mind, for example, “The lavender hues of twilight deepen to reveal the great star blanket of night”. Such beautiful language set off the entire story.
Picture Books
Lit HW
Young readers
Cordova, Amy. Abuelita’s Heart. Illinois: McGraw-Hill, 1997.
Pages are not numbered
Awards:
• No awards
Summary: Before returning to the city with her parents, a young girl walks with her grandmother, learning about the special feelings, places, and plants, that are part of her heritage and the Southwestern desert where Abuelita lives. In the end the little girl feels in touch with her ancestors and her heritage.
Literary Element #1: Personification: This story uses personification to help the reader picture a vivid scene in their mind. For example, “each day the great sky herds wooly clouds over the mountains to far-off pastures.”
Literary Element #2: Mood: The author used language as to develop such a serene feeling. For example, “The dusty path to Abuelita’s weaves across the canyon like a drowsy red snake”. This makes the reader feel at ease and puts the mood of the story in a calm and happy place ready to be taken away to a different setting.
Literary Element #3: Imagery: Cordova uses wonderful language to really paint a picture in the mind, for example, “The lavender hues of twilight deepen to reveal the great star blanket of night”. Such beautiful language set off the entire story.
December 1, 2010
A young girl visits her grandmother. They enjoy a meal together and take a walk though the desert. Though their journey they relate the animals, plants and other things encountered to their family and life.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews