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Tia Isa Wants a Car
“A pleasant selection about ambition, resourcefulness, and never letting go of one’s dreams.” — School Library Journal
While Tía Isa wants to save money for a car that will take the whole family to the beach, her niece does odd jobs for neighbors. But it’s hard to save enough when half the money is set aside to someday bring family members who live far away to join them. Meg Medina’s simple, genuine story about keeping in mind those who are far away is written in lovely, lyrical prose and brought to life through Claudio Muñoz’s charming characters.
While Tía Isa wants to save money for a car that will take the whole family to the beach, her niece does odd jobs for neighbors. But it’s hard to save enough when half the money is set aside to someday bring family members who live far away to join them. Meg Medina’s simple, genuine story about keeping in mind those who are far away is written in lovely, lyrical prose and brought to life through Claudio Muñoz’s charming characters.
32 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2011
About the author
Meg Medina
29 books700 followersMeg Medina served as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Her most recent middle-grade novel and first fantasy, Graciela in the Abyss, was a 2026 ALSC Notable Children’s Book and a CCBC Choices 2026 selection. Illustrated by Anna and Elena Balbusso, the novel was also awarded the prestigious 2026 Hamilton King Award by the Society of Illustrators. She is also the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, a 2018 Kirkus Prize finalist, and is followed by two more acclaimed books about the Suárez family: Merci Suárez Can’t Dance and Merci Suárez Plays It Cool. Her young adult novels include Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which won the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award, and was published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas; Burn Baby Burn, which was long-listed for the National Book Award; and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. She is also the author of picture books No More Señora Mimí / No más Señora Mimí, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away / Evelyn del Rey se muda, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, Jumpstart’s 2020 Read for the Record selection; Mango, Abuela, and Me, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, which was a Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book; and Tía Isa Wants a Car, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz, which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award; and biographies for young readers She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor and She Persisted: Pura Belpré, the latter with Marilisa Jiménez García. Meg Medina’s work examines how cultures intersect through the eyes of young people. She brings audiences stories that speak to both what is unique in Latino culture and qualities that are universal. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 2, 2016
4.5 STARS
I loved this book! The language and illustrations really spoke to me and the message is beautiful.
We read this in the Children's Book Group Picture Book Club for the "Financial Literacy" theme and it definitely speaks to the idea of earning money and saving money. I appreciate Isa's tenacity and spunk, especially in the face of naysayers, in holding fast to her dream of buying a car and working hard to achieve that dream. I also appreciate her niece's efforts to contribute to the car fund (there's a special place in my heart for books with proactive kids who find ways to achieve what they want; we have many fantasy-type examples of this, but it's just as powerful when it's a kid who takes a side-job to help the family out, as in this story). And some of the ways she helps are just so wonderful and so adorably told (like teaching Miss Amy, the librarian with a crush on Senor Perez, how to Spanish so she can invite him over for sandwiches).
You also know that saving to buy a car is not the only aspect of life in which Isa has had to be tenacious and spunky and overcome adversity. For this is also an immigrant story. It's poignantly and subtly woven into the overarching story, but we learn that Tia Isa and her brother and their niece are the only members of the family who have immigrated so far. We know that the rest of the family is waiting, waiting, waiting, for an opportunity to leave the island. Tia Isa found a way to leave the island, to start making a better life for herself and her family. And she and her niece found a way to buy a car, becoming the only people in the neighborhood able to get away to the beach "foamy water that reaches all the places I cannot go." Somehow, you get the impression Isa and her niece will find a way to get to all those places someday, too!
I loved this book! The language and illustrations really spoke to me and the message is beautiful.
We read this in the Children's Book Group Picture Book Club for the "Financial Literacy" theme and it definitely speaks to the idea of earning money and saving money. I appreciate Isa's tenacity and spunk, especially in the face of naysayers, in holding fast to her dream of buying a car and working hard to achieve that dream. I also appreciate her niece's efforts to contribute to the car fund (there's a special place in my heart for books with proactive kids who find ways to achieve what they want; we have many fantasy-type examples of this, but it's just as powerful when it's a kid who takes a side-job to help the family out, as in this story). And some of the ways she helps are just so wonderful and so adorably told (like teaching Miss Amy, the librarian with a crush on Senor Perez, how to Spanish so she can invite him over for sandwiches).
You also know that saving to buy a car is not the only aspect of life in which Isa has had to be tenacious and spunky and overcome adversity. For this is also an immigrant story. It's poignantly and subtly woven into the overarching story, but we learn that Tia Isa and her brother and their niece are the only members of the family who have immigrated so far. We know that the rest of the family is waiting, waiting, waiting, for an opportunity to leave the island. Tia Isa found a way to leave the island, to start making a better life for herself and her family. And she and her niece found a way to buy a car, becoming the only people in the neighborhood able to get away to the beach "foamy water that reaches all the places I cannot go." Somehow, you get the impression Isa and her niece will find a way to get to all those places someday, too!
March 15, 2022
Cute book that I read to kids to help teach responsibility, caring, and fulfilling a dream.
December 11, 2016
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I thought it would be all earnest, and kinda heavy, but it was joyful. Freedom & hope for a better future are things that make one smile, according to Medina and Munoz.
I appreciated that the concepts are both universal in the general sense, and also culturally specific in the details. I'd like to know which city, which beach, Isa lives in now, and which island the family is from. Something about the colors, yellows and teals and pinks, says Miami and Cuba to me. But I dunno. Do any of you have a better guess?
I appreciated that the concepts are both universal in the general sense, and also culturally specific in the details. I'd like to know which city, which beach, Isa lives in now, and which island the family is from. Something about the colors, yellows and teals and pinks, says Miami and Cuba to me. But I dunno. Do any of you have a better guess?
August 8, 2011
Tia Isa has one wish other than being reunited with her family far away, to have a car that will carry them to the beach. Money is tight though and much of her savings must go to her family back home. When her niece sees the difference between what Tia Isa has and what she needs she decides it’s time for her to help. In no time they have the car Tia Isa dreamed of and a perfect day at the beach.
This is a story that all ages will love from children to adults because of it’s beautiful illustrations and it’s wonderful message. Being a “car girl” myself, I absolutely related to Tia Isa. One of the things I prided myself on when I was younger was owning my very own car that I paid for entirely on my own. It took a great deal of work and steady long hours at a job I wasn’t always incredibly fond of, but my car was something that made it all worth it.
For Tia Isa and her niece, the car is not only a source of pride after long hours of work, but also a symbol of freedom. Freedom to drive where they choose and freedom to have the opportunity to purchase the car in the first place. I think that’s the thing that continually surprises me about reading children’s books, is that they have so many themes and opportunities to learn. In Tia Isa Wants A Car it’s not only a wonderful message about the value of a good work ethic, but also about appreciating the freedoms we have and learning to value those around us.
Meg Medina has shared a seemingly simple story of a girl with a longing for a car of her own, but in the process has created a beautiful life from which we can learn so much from as adults & children. Tia Isa Wants A Car is a story about freedom, work ethic, sharing, kindness, joy and more. Filled with rich illustrations by Claudio Munoz, readers will be transported to a world years away but feel as though they know the characters before their eyes. Readers of Hispanic descent will be especially thrilled at the life and history shared in relation to Tia Isa’s life. This is a picture book that should be shared with both children and adults, if for no other reason than to remember to live the lives we have to the fullest enjoying every moment the best we can no matter our situation.
Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my review site, There's A Book.
This is a story that all ages will love from children to adults because of it’s beautiful illustrations and it’s wonderful message. Being a “car girl” myself, I absolutely related to Tia Isa. One of the things I prided myself on when I was younger was owning my very own car that I paid for entirely on my own. It took a great deal of work and steady long hours at a job I wasn’t always incredibly fond of, but my car was something that made it all worth it.
For Tia Isa and her niece, the car is not only a source of pride after long hours of work, but also a symbol of freedom. Freedom to drive where they choose and freedom to have the opportunity to purchase the car in the first place. I think that’s the thing that continually surprises me about reading children’s books, is that they have so many themes and opportunities to learn. In Tia Isa Wants A Car it’s not only a wonderful message about the value of a good work ethic, but also about appreciating the freedoms we have and learning to value those around us.
Meg Medina has shared a seemingly simple story of a girl with a longing for a car of her own, but in the process has created a beautiful life from which we can learn so much from as adults & children. Tia Isa Wants A Car is a story about freedom, work ethic, sharing, kindness, joy and more. Filled with rich illustrations by Claudio Munoz, readers will be transported to a world years away but feel as though they know the characters before their eyes. Readers of Hispanic descent will be especially thrilled at the life and history shared in relation to Tia Isa’s life. This is a picture book that should be shared with both children and adults, if for no other reason than to remember to live the lives we have to the fullest enjoying every moment the best we can no matter our situation.
Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my review site, There's A Book.
February 3, 2012
Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina, illustrated by Claudio Munoz is the story of a little girl who pitches in to help her tía save up for a big old car, to take the whole family to the beach, when they are reunited again in the United States.
The text in a large font includes dialog and text in both English and Spanish. Among the Spanish words used are tía, un pisicorre, Sí, Así, Tío, Rrrridículo, señor, niña, español, la vieja, mi vida, Abuelo, Mami, Papi, besito, vamos, ese mismo, mi hija, los padres, and primos.
Munoz's detailed illustrations were done in pencil watercolor and ink. The soft, colorful illustrations are appealing and feature some nice shadow effects. My favorite images include the cover images, jumping rope, Tia as a girl, Tia in the kitchen, Tia in the bedroom, Tia at the car dealer, Miss Amy the librarian, money sock, buying the car, passing the bus and the last image.
This is an nice look at a niece-aunt relationship with an appealing latino vibe. The importance of family, hard work, saving money and the freedom a car provides are all themes. The bilingual text features a lot of imagery and should be a fun read-aloud to share one on one or in groups.
For ages 4 - 6, cars, family, social-studies-history, multicultural, bi-lingual, latino, goals, saving, cooperation, money, travel, cars, realistic, sharing, work, and fans of Meg Medina and Claudio Munoz.
The text in a large font includes dialog and text in both English and Spanish. Among the Spanish words used are tía, un pisicorre, Sí, Así, Tío, Rrrridículo, señor, niña, español, la vieja, mi vida, Abuelo, Mami, Papi, besito, vamos, ese mismo, mi hija, los padres, and primos.
Munoz's detailed illustrations were done in pencil watercolor and ink. The soft, colorful illustrations are appealing and feature some nice shadow effects. My favorite images include the cover images, jumping rope, Tia as a girl, Tia in the kitchen, Tia in the bedroom, Tia at the car dealer, Miss Amy the librarian, money sock, buying the car, passing the bus and the last image.
This is an nice look at a niece-aunt relationship with an appealing latino vibe. The importance of family, hard work, saving money and the freedom a car provides are all themes. The bilingual text features a lot of imagery and should be a fun read-aloud to share one on one or in groups.
For ages 4 - 6, cars, family, social-studies-history, multicultural, bi-lingual, latino, goals, saving, cooperation, money, travel, cars, realistic, sharing, work, and fans of Meg Medina and Claudio Munoz.
April 17, 2015
Teaching recommendation: 3rd grade Economics unit
Tia Isa is a lady living with her brother and niece. She is a Latina immigrant possibly from Puerto Rico, or Cuba, the book doesn’t really say. Tia Isa wants to buy a car to take them to the beach. “A beach has foamy water that reaches all the places I cannot go.” She says. Tia Isa wants the color of the car to be “the same shiny green as the color of the ocean that lapped outside her window when she was a girl. When Tia Isa was a girl, the air on her island smelled of wet palm fronds and mud.“ The imagery and the writing of this book are beautiful.
So the next thing they do is save money. We are invited into the immigrant experience in a personal way when we see that Tia Isa has 2 piles of money hidden in her room. One pile is called the “helping money” and the other much smaller pile is the pile to save money for a car. Tia Isa wants the car very badly, it represents freedom and the ability to drive anywhere she wants to go. But, admirably, the helping money is a higher pile because she wants to help relatives still living in the island nation to come to America to live. This is the difficult and often sad reality of the immigrants from Spanish and Latin countries. They come from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds so they often can’t afford to bring the whole family. It can take many years to save enough to get the whole family over here to live together. The family can be separated for many years.
The niece who is the narrator of the story, does what these families often do: she offers to help raise the money for the car. She goes out in the neighborhood and tells various people what Tia Isa wants to do. Three people offer to pay the girl for her service: she helps the grocer stack fruit, she helps a neighbor take care of a cat, and teaches the librarian Spanish. Eventually, one day the niece takes out her secret money sock. It has “grown into a giant money sausage.” All of it is given to Tia Isa and they buy a car.
This book is well written and enjoyable. In a school like mine with a near 60 % Hispanic population, mostly from Mexico and Guatemala, they can relate to the hard work it takes to reunite a family who desperately wants to come to America. They understand the personal sacrifice that is so poignantly portrayed in this beautiful story by Meg Medina.
This is a book which can be read in lower grades through 5th grade as well and understood at different levels, but I see it fitting in neatly to an economics unit in 3rd grade. I really love this book.
Tia Isa is a lady living with her brother and niece. She is a Latina immigrant possibly from Puerto Rico, or Cuba, the book doesn’t really say. Tia Isa wants to buy a car to take them to the beach. “A beach has foamy water that reaches all the places I cannot go.” She says. Tia Isa wants the color of the car to be “the same shiny green as the color of the ocean that lapped outside her window when she was a girl. When Tia Isa was a girl, the air on her island smelled of wet palm fronds and mud.“ The imagery and the writing of this book are beautiful.
So the next thing they do is save money. We are invited into the immigrant experience in a personal way when we see that Tia Isa has 2 piles of money hidden in her room. One pile is called the “helping money” and the other much smaller pile is the pile to save money for a car. Tia Isa wants the car very badly, it represents freedom and the ability to drive anywhere she wants to go. But, admirably, the helping money is a higher pile because she wants to help relatives still living in the island nation to come to America to live. This is the difficult and often sad reality of the immigrants from Spanish and Latin countries. They come from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds so they often can’t afford to bring the whole family. It can take many years to save enough to get the whole family over here to live together. The family can be separated for many years.
The niece who is the narrator of the story, does what these families often do: she offers to help raise the money for the car. She goes out in the neighborhood and tells various people what Tia Isa wants to do. Three people offer to pay the girl for her service: she helps the grocer stack fruit, she helps a neighbor take care of a cat, and teaches the librarian Spanish. Eventually, one day the niece takes out her secret money sock. It has “grown into a giant money sausage.” All of it is given to Tia Isa and they buy a car.
This book is well written and enjoyable. In a school like mine with a near 60 % Hispanic population, mostly from Mexico and Guatemala, they can relate to the hard work it takes to reunite a family who desperately wants to come to America. They understand the personal sacrifice that is so poignantly portrayed in this beautiful story by Meg Medina.
This is a book which can be read in lower grades through 5th grade as well and understood at different levels, but I see it fitting in neatly to an economics unit in 3rd grade. I really love this book.
October 5, 2013
Book Title: Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina
Description: Tia Isa wants to buy a car to take the family to the sea. She scrapes up her money but it isn’t enough. Her niece (the narrator) happens upon odd jobs and surprises her aunt with enough money to buy the car and go to the sea.
Focus:
1) Show-Not-Tell: Meg Medina does a great job of show-not-tell, providing a good model for students.
Teach:
CCSS.W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
1) Prior to the writer’s workshop, read aloud the book.
2) Focus: “Today we will notice how Meg Medina and other authors use a strategy called show-not-tell in their writing. Show-not-tell helps draw our reader into our writing. When we show-not-tell, we use descriptive details that help our reader see exactly what’s happening.”
3) Teaching Point: (Have spots with show-not-tell examples marked.) a) Open to the first example. Off a chart, read what Meg Medina COULD HAVE said if she did not use show-not-tell. (An example would be on the first page where she says, “The same shiny green as the ocean that lapped outside my bedroom window”. She COULD HAVE said, “I want a green car.” Have “I want a green car” written on the left side of the chart.) b) Record the example of show-not-tell next to what she COULD HAVE said.
4) Guided Practice: a) Repeat for several more examples, having students decide what the example of show-not-tell is on each marked page. Record her show-not-tell examples next to what she COULD HAVE said in each instance.
5) Independent Practice: Pass out baskets of familiar storybooks. Students work with a partner to record examples of show-not-tell from each book, as well as what the author COULD HAVE said if she did not use show-not-tell.
6) Sharing/Closure: Have students share out a few good examples of show-not-tell.
Expected Outcomes:
Students will receive more exposure to show-not-tell and later apply the strategy in their own writing.
Description: Tia Isa wants to buy a car to take the family to the sea. She scrapes up her money but it isn’t enough. Her niece (the narrator) happens upon odd jobs and surprises her aunt with enough money to buy the car and go to the sea.
Focus:
1) Show-Not-Tell: Meg Medina does a great job of show-not-tell, providing a good model for students.
Teach:
CCSS.W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
1) Prior to the writer’s workshop, read aloud the book.
2) Focus: “Today we will notice how Meg Medina and other authors use a strategy called show-not-tell in their writing. Show-not-tell helps draw our reader into our writing. When we show-not-tell, we use descriptive details that help our reader see exactly what’s happening.”
3) Teaching Point: (Have spots with show-not-tell examples marked.) a) Open to the first example. Off a chart, read what Meg Medina COULD HAVE said if she did not use show-not-tell. (An example would be on the first page where she says, “The same shiny green as the ocean that lapped outside my bedroom window”. She COULD HAVE said, “I want a green car.” Have “I want a green car” written on the left side of the chart.) b) Record the example of show-not-tell next to what she COULD HAVE said.
4) Guided Practice: a) Repeat for several more examples, having students decide what the example of show-not-tell is on each marked page. Record her show-not-tell examples next to what she COULD HAVE said in each instance.
5) Independent Practice: Pass out baskets of familiar storybooks. Students work with a partner to record examples of show-not-tell from each book, as well as what the author COULD HAVE said if she did not use show-not-tell.
6) Sharing/Closure: Have students share out a few good examples of show-not-tell.
Expected Outcomes:
Students will receive more exposure to show-not-tell and later apply the strategy in their own writing.
July 8, 2013
This story is reminiscent of A Chair for My Mother, with Latina heroines. The financial (and feminist) struggles of the determined pair make you root for them throughout the book. At first, I really didn't think much of the book or the illustrations (watercolors in children's books have to work hard to win me over). But it's the kind of book that teaches you NOT to judge it by its cover. It really does get better and better the more you read it, think and talk about it. The characters are strong, tenacious, and delightful in the way that they show (rather than TELL) how you can fulfill a dream with hard work and determination. There are a couple of places where I felt there was a little too much verbage; but, for the most part the text flows and even sparkles. Meg Medina incorporates delicious details, word pictures, and onomatopoeias into her text. For example, when Tia Isa cranks up the car for the first time, it "coughs a cloud of thick smoke and sounds like 'arroz, arroz, arroz.'"
I love the way Aunt Isa and her little niece interact: cuddling on the sofa when they're worried, imitating the way macho Tio Andres rolls his "errres," running up the stairs to their apartment and down the street to the used car lot. The illustrator, Claudio Munoz, very astutely shows the little girl throughout the first half of the book watching her aunt's every expression, and then striking one of Tia Isa's signature poses (crossed arms, head tilted, chin in the air) at the car salesman.
Above all, I think our kids will easily identify with the characters and their lives -- taping photos of family up in important places, saving money in envelopes, waiting to be reunited with parents, longing for a trip to the beach. Recommended.
I love the way Aunt Isa and her little niece interact: cuddling on the sofa when they're worried, imitating the way macho Tio Andres rolls his "errres," running up the stairs to their apartment and down the street to the used car lot. The illustrator, Claudio Munoz, very astutely shows the little girl throughout the first half of the book watching her aunt's every expression, and then striking one of Tia Isa's signature poses (crossed arms, head tilted, chin in the air) at the car salesman.
Above all, I think our kids will easily identify with the characters and their lives -- taping photos of family up in important places, saving money in envelopes, waiting to be reunited with parents, longing for a trip to the beach. Recommended.
October 31, 2018
In Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina and Illustrated by Claudia Muños, an example of a modern-day family isn't clearly expressed to children. In this story, the little girl lives with her Tía (aunt) Isa and her brother Tío (uncle) Andrés. It doesn't give much background as to why she lives with them only that she doesn't live with her parents because the text expresses, "That's our helping money, which we will send back home--along with notes and pictures so Mami can see how I've grown." In today's society there are many families in the United States that are separated for various reasons like immigration so children may have to live with other family members like aunts and uncles, grandparents, and/or other guardians.
There is a clear representation of the Latino culture in this book and its illustration. There are Spanish words and phrases in the text like niña, my vida, vamos, mi hija, etc. Muños illustrated the Spanish characters with black curly hair, tan skin, and curvy body types. They included realistic characters that many Hispanic/Spanish children could relate themselves and their families too. There was one negative stereotype that I noticed towards the beginning of the book where Tío Andrés laughs at his sister, Isa, for wanting to buy a car and dismisses the idea by asking her what's for dinner. In many families, not just Latino families, women are shown to be in the kitchen cooking and cleaning in the household, not working. But it had rich plot and included a problem and resolution aspect because with the help of her niece working little jobs around the town and her working as well, Isa finally buys a car and shows her brother she did it.
There is a clear representation of the Latino culture in this book and its illustration. There are Spanish words and phrases in the text like niña, my vida, vamos, mi hija, etc. Muños illustrated the Spanish characters with black curly hair, tan skin, and curvy body types. They included realistic characters that many Hispanic/Spanish children could relate themselves and their families too. There was one negative stereotype that I noticed towards the beginning of the book where Tío Andrés laughs at his sister, Isa, for wanting to buy a car and dismisses the idea by asking her what's for dinner. In many families, not just Latino families, women are shown to be in the kitchen cooking and cleaning in the household, not working. But it had rich plot and included a problem and resolution aspect because with the help of her niece working little jobs around the town and her working as well, Isa finally buys a car and shows her brother she did it.
October 13, 2016
I first heard of Meg Medina when our oldest came home from school and told me that everyone in her grade was assigned to read Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass.
Then I was assigned to watch a video of a panel discussion she was part of at the Politics and Prose bookstore in DC, during which her books were mentioned. And finally, I see that this book was selected for our picture book club (see below). So I figured that I was destined to read her books.
I really appreciated the concept of saving for the things you want, rather than just buying them on credit. I also liked that the story shows how families and neighbors help each other in times of need.
The watercolor and ink illustrations are wonderful and I think the story would work well to read aloud with a group. Overall, it's an entertaining and well-written story that helps to teach about saving.
This book was selected as one of the books for the September 2016- Financial Literacy discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
Then I was assigned to watch a video of a panel discussion she was part of at the Politics and Prose bookstore in DC, during which her books were mentioned. And finally, I see that this book was selected for our picture book club (see below). So I figured that I was destined to read her books.
I really appreciated the concept of saving for the things you want, rather than just buying them on credit. I also liked that the story shows how families and neighbors help each other in times of need.
The watercolor and ink illustrations are wonderful and I think the story would work well to read aloud with a group. Overall, it's an entertaining and well-written story that helps to teach about saving.
This book was selected as one of the books for the September 2016- Financial Literacy discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
September 19, 2016
Love, love, love this! It is reminiscent of A Chair for My Mother. Tia Isa decides she wants to buy a car. A green car that can take them to the ocean and will remind her of the island she left to come to America. Tio Andres says she is ridiculous. But Tia Isa saves and her niece, the narrator, finds ways to help. It takes effort and time and patience and determination, but finally they have saved enough to buy a car.
I love the illustrations and the incorporation of some Spanish words into the text. (A glossary might be a nice addition although most of the words are easy to decipher from context.) I appreciate that the family are immigrants and that they clearly have to work and save to buy a car...their finances are limited. So many of the students I have taught would relate to these characters. It will be a great book to talk about basic economy principles with my students...needs vs. wants, spending and saving, working to earn money, etc. A great book!
I love the illustrations and the incorporation of some Spanish words into the text. (A glossary might be a nice addition although most of the words are easy to decipher from context.) I appreciate that the family are immigrants and that they clearly have to work and save to buy a car...their finances are limited. So many of the students I have taught would relate to these characters. It will be a great book to talk about basic economy principles with my students...needs vs. wants, spending and saving, working to earn money, etc. A great book!
September 1, 2016
This was a very good book about saving money and waiting until one has enough to purchase the wanted item. It also showed the young girl proactively getting odd jobs to save up even more money. So through hard work and patience, the two save up enough money for a used car that can carry everyone to the beach. Nowhere in the book does it state where Tia Isa and her niece are living; possibly New York city; and nowhere does it state where the rest of the relatives are who want to join them. Possibly Puerto Rico or Cuba. The illustrations were very nice as well, with well-done facial expressions and lots of details that extend beyond the text.
May 26, 2011
Charming, warm story about two sisters who work hard to save enough money to buy a used car that they can use to drive the family to the beach.
June 30, 2014
The longer text didn't bother me at all in this one because I was busy enjoying the story.
December 1, 2017
This was terrible. I had to read it for Spanish calls, and it was bad.
August 22, 2019
Oh, this is lovely.
July 29, 2021
This story has such a lighthearted feel to Tia Isa's determination to buy a car. It also had a light and happy tone when the little girl works as a secret to contribute to the dream. The illustrations are soft and breezy, much like the nods to the ocean and seagulls they love so much. Such a sweet story!
July 6, 2020
This is the picture book we used as a mentor text during the TCRWP Reading Institute. Lots of lessons embedded in this book: character development, setting, inferring, etc.
December 11, 2021
Got totally taken into Tia Isa’s world from the jump. Meg Medina has a way that gives you pokes of feelings and connections to whatever story she tells. You root for her characters and you’re along for the ride.
Lovely, hopeful. Enjoyed this.
Lovely, hopeful. Enjoyed this.
September 10, 2018
Summary:
Tia Isa wants a car. She wants a green car that reminds her of the ocean from the island she grew up on. It must include giant wings on the back of the car to look like they are flying. Tia Isa’s brother thinks that her plan is crazy. Tia Isa’s pulls out a pile of money in one pile is money that is to be sent home to her mother and the other pile is for her car fund. She finds a car, but she does not have enough money. She says that she hopes that she will have money soon. Senor Leo gives the little girl a job stacking fruit to make extra money, she also feeds several cat's their milk, and teaches Spanish to another woman. One day, she has a bunch of money for Tia Isa. They go to buy a car with all the money they have acquired from all their jobs. They find a green car near the fence that has a bad radio and no air conditioning. Tia Isa decides that she loves it and they decide to buy it. Tia Isa pulls out a picture from her money envelope, it has her entire family on it. Tia Isa bought a car. The little girl yells to the apartment complex to come look at the new car. The little girl ends the story by saying that the reason they bought the green car is because it will take the back to the sea.
Evaluation:
This book was a great book because it shows the determination that one young girl had to help her family be able to afford a car. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the multicultural aspects of the book. I thought it was very interesting that the book included Spanish and had the author speaking Spanish and translating it.
Teaching Idea:
This book would be a great idea to use when discussing immigration with your students. You could incorporate this book as a shared reading or and interactive read aloud. This book could also be a great book to read to younger grades when teaching about determination.
Tia Isa wants a car. She wants a green car that reminds her of the ocean from the island she grew up on. It must include giant wings on the back of the car to look like they are flying. Tia Isa’s brother thinks that her plan is crazy. Tia Isa’s pulls out a pile of money in one pile is money that is to be sent home to her mother and the other pile is for her car fund. She finds a car, but she does not have enough money. She says that she hopes that she will have money soon. Senor Leo gives the little girl a job stacking fruit to make extra money, she also feeds several cat's their milk, and teaches Spanish to another woman. One day, she has a bunch of money for Tia Isa. They go to buy a car with all the money they have acquired from all their jobs. They find a green car near the fence that has a bad radio and no air conditioning. Tia Isa decides that she loves it and they decide to buy it. Tia Isa pulls out a picture from her money envelope, it has her entire family on it. Tia Isa bought a car. The little girl yells to the apartment complex to come look at the new car. The little girl ends the story by saying that the reason they bought the green car is because it will take the back to the sea.
Evaluation:
This book was a great book because it shows the determination that one young girl had to help her family be able to afford a car. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the multicultural aspects of the book. I thought it was very interesting that the book included Spanish and had the author speaking Spanish and translating it.
Teaching Idea:
This book would be a great idea to use when discussing immigration with your students. You could incorporate this book as a shared reading or and interactive read aloud. This book could also be a great book to read to younger grades when teaching about determination.
September 9, 2018
Summary:
This picture book starts out with a girl and her aunt hoping they could one day get a car to be able to go to the beach. The aunt and her brother were making money in order to send back home to their families. They did not really have the means to get a car and the uncle called them crazy. However, through a lot of work on both the aunt and the girl's part, they were able to buy a car. They picked one that had enough room for all three of them, plus the family that would one day come to them. When they got the car they placed a picture of their entire family together to remind them of what they really wanted to accomplish.
Evaluation:
This picture book shows the struggles of families who are separated and struggling in order to save up enough money for their families to join them in other counties. While families send whatever they can back home, they also need to hope for the day that they will be able to see them again. When this family gets their new car, they make sure they get one big enough to fit everyone and put their family picture up. They have fun in their new lives but they also dedicate themselves to making sure that their family can one day have the same experiences.
Teaching Idea:
Older grades in elementary school need to start lessons centered around economics and budgeting. When this family was budgeting sending money back to their family and saving for a car plus the cost of living, they had to set priorities on what they needed to spend their money on. Giving students a chance to rank what would be most important to them would be a great way to introduce this theme to students. Learning what is a need and what is a want can be challenging for some who have not needed to distinguish between the two yet.
This picture book starts out with a girl and her aunt hoping they could one day get a car to be able to go to the beach. The aunt and her brother were making money in order to send back home to their families. They did not really have the means to get a car and the uncle called them crazy. However, through a lot of work on both the aunt and the girl's part, they were able to buy a car. They picked one that had enough room for all three of them, plus the family that would one day come to them. When they got the car they placed a picture of their entire family together to remind them of what they really wanted to accomplish.
Evaluation:
This picture book shows the struggles of families who are separated and struggling in order to save up enough money for their families to join them in other counties. While families send whatever they can back home, they also need to hope for the day that they will be able to see them again. When this family gets their new car, they make sure they get one big enough to fit everyone and put their family picture up. They have fun in their new lives but they also dedicate themselves to making sure that their family can one day have the same experiences.
Teaching Idea:
Older grades in elementary school need to start lessons centered around economics and budgeting. When this family was budgeting sending money back to their family and saving for a car plus the cost of living, they had to set priorities on what they needed to spend their money on. Giving students a chance to rank what would be most important to them would be a great way to introduce this theme to students. Learning what is a need and what is a want can be challenging for some who have not needed to distinguish between the two yet.
September 29, 2018
Summary:
This book is about a little girl who helps her aunt buy a car. They want a car in order to go to the beach. One of the main problems in the story is that they are not rich enough to be able to afford one. The little girl starts to collect money for her aunt in order to help purchase a car. Then one day they finally have saved enough money to help Tia Isa buy a car. When Tia Isa goes to buy a car, she does not want to have one that is luxurious. She wants one that is just good enough. Everyone is so excited that she gets the car she wanted. In the end, they accomplish their dream of going to the beach.
Evaluation:
This book was super cute. I love how the little girl worked hard to help her aunt save enough money for a car. This book is a good example of how working together can help accomplish your goal. It also shines a light on the fact that if you work hard, you might just have something good happen.
Teaching Idea:
It would be a good idea to have the class work together to do a community project. This could be as simple as collecting canned food. The teacher would first read the book. The students could then write about how this canned food can be used to help others.. After they have collected food they could write about what they learned from doing the community project and how it made them feel to help others. They would be asked to make text to self connections in order to show how they can make a big difference.
This book is about a little girl who helps her aunt buy a car. They want a car in order to go to the beach. One of the main problems in the story is that they are not rich enough to be able to afford one. The little girl starts to collect money for her aunt in order to help purchase a car. Then one day they finally have saved enough money to help Tia Isa buy a car. When Tia Isa goes to buy a car, she does not want to have one that is luxurious. She wants one that is just good enough. Everyone is so excited that she gets the car she wanted. In the end, they accomplish their dream of going to the beach.
Evaluation:
This book was super cute. I love how the little girl worked hard to help her aunt save enough money for a car. This book is a good example of how working together can help accomplish your goal. It also shines a light on the fact that if you work hard, you might just have something good happen.
Teaching Idea:
It would be a good idea to have the class work together to do a community project. This could be as simple as collecting canned food. The teacher would first read the book. The students could then write about how this canned food can be used to help others.. After they have collected food they could write about what they learned from doing the community project and how it made them feel to help others. They would be asked to make text to self connections in order to show how they can make a big difference.
May 28, 2018
This is an interesting children's book for critical literacy discussions. Here is a list of several themes that appear in the book.
1. Language barrier - Tía Isa speaks limited English and needs her niece to act as her interpreter in some situations. The author is savvy in the use of some Spanish words (code-switching/trans-languaging) to add meaning to the language used in the dialogues.
2. Family - Tía Isa and her brother are the guardians of their niece. They send money to the family living abroad. The young girl's parents had to go back to their homeland to take care of one of the grandparents who is ill.
3. Financial hardship - Tía Isa does not have enough money to purchase a car despite her job and saving efforts. Her niece ends up doing chores around town to help Tía Isa with her dream.
4. Gender roles - Tía Isa lives with her brother, who is portrayed as a typical sexist latino and who says Isa's dream is foolish.
5. Immigration - We do not know which circumstances brought Tía Isa's family to the United States, but we do know that they came from another country, and they have faced some hardship here.
6. The American dream - The entire story revolves around Tía Isa's dream. Expanding it a little, it can take the discussion into what brings so many immigrants to the U.S.
7. Cultural identity - the characters are strongly connected to their cultural heritage
This piece of children's literature is recommended for 1st and 2nd grades and its Lexile level is AD630L. The language is simple, and Hispanic ELLs may relate to the fictional characters. This is an interesting book to have in the classroom for a read aloud.
1. Language barrier - Tía Isa speaks limited English and needs her niece to act as her interpreter in some situations. The author is savvy in the use of some Spanish words (code-switching/trans-languaging) to add meaning to the language used in the dialogues.
2. Family - Tía Isa and her brother are the guardians of their niece. They send money to the family living abroad. The young girl's parents had to go back to their homeland to take care of one of the grandparents who is ill.
3. Financial hardship - Tía Isa does not have enough money to purchase a car despite her job and saving efforts. Her niece ends up doing chores around town to help Tía Isa with her dream.
4. Gender roles - Tía Isa lives with her brother, who is portrayed as a typical sexist latino and who says Isa's dream is foolish.
5. Immigration - We do not know which circumstances brought Tía Isa's family to the United States, but we do know that they came from another country, and they have faced some hardship here.
6. The American dream - The entire story revolves around Tía Isa's dream. Expanding it a little, it can take the discussion into what brings so many immigrants to the U.S.
7. Cultural identity - the characters are strongly connected to their cultural heritage
This piece of children's literature is recommended for 1st and 2nd grades and its Lexile level is AD630L. The language is simple, and Hispanic ELLs may relate to the fictional characters. This is an interesting book to have in the classroom for a read aloud.
Read
August 30, 2018Summary:
"Tia Isa Wants a Car"- it's all in the title! The narrator, Isa's niece, is convinced they can get the green car she wants. Tia Isa explains that it will take lots of time and saving to be able to get just the one they want because half of their money goes back to "the island" where the narrator's parents are taking care of the grandparents. This does not discourage Isa's niece; she begins doing little jobs here and there for neighbors. Finally, there's just enough! Before long, they will be sitting on a beach, and hopefully the rest of the family will be able to do the same.
Evaluation:
Sweetness and happiness, all in one story! This story shows the process a young girl goes through when learning how to save money: lots of work. I loved that she was extremely optimistic throughout this whole story, even the part when the narrator becomes sad about her parents not being with her, yet. This is a story that would be great to share with elementary school students of all grades. It's multicultural, includes good vocabulary, and teaches morals all in one!
Teaching Tip:
This would be a great book for second-graders. The vocabulary would be good to discuss, but it would not be too complicated to comprehend. A social studies standard involves learning that consumers save their money to buy products they are interested in; that is the whole point behind the story! The students could be challenged to think about products that they would be willing to work and save money to buy. There are also portions of this story in Spanish, so bilingual students could help with the read-aloud!
"Tia Isa Wants a Car"- it's all in the title! The narrator, Isa's niece, is convinced they can get the green car she wants. Tia Isa explains that it will take lots of time and saving to be able to get just the one they want because half of their money goes back to "the island" where the narrator's parents are taking care of the grandparents. This does not discourage Isa's niece; she begins doing little jobs here and there for neighbors. Finally, there's just enough! Before long, they will be sitting on a beach, and hopefully the rest of the family will be able to do the same.
Evaluation:
Sweetness and happiness, all in one story! This story shows the process a young girl goes through when learning how to save money: lots of work. I loved that she was extremely optimistic throughout this whole story, even the part when the narrator becomes sad about her parents not being with her, yet. This is a story that would be great to share with elementary school students of all grades. It's multicultural, includes good vocabulary, and teaches morals all in one!
Teaching Tip:
This would be a great book for second-graders. The vocabulary would be good to discuss, but it would not be too complicated to comprehend. A social studies standard involves learning that consumers save their money to buy products they are interested in; that is the whole point behind the story! The students could be challenged to think about products that they would be willing to work and save money to buy. There are also portions of this story in Spanish, so bilingual students could help with the read-aloud!
October 23, 2018
Summary:
Tia dreams of going to the beach, but, she must save money to buy herself a car to be able to go. She dreams of what the drive would be like, but her brother makes fun of her. He says that walking around town is just fine instead of going to the beach. Tia ignored her brother, and she began to make a stack of money for her future car. But, her brother continues to put her dreams down. Again, Tia ignored him, and after she saved her money for a while, she went to buy herself a car, but unfortunately, she did not have enough. She began to worry that it would take too long for her to save her money. She begins to find small jobs around town, and with all of her hard work, she saves up enough money to buy a car. And, finally, Tia takes her own car down to the beach.
Evaluation:
I liked this book because it represents something that many students as they get older go through. Also, many low SES student's parents might go through the same struggle of not being able to afford a car to get them places, and it shows how dedication and hard work always prevails. I would definitely have this book in my classroom library.
Teaching Idea:
Think that this book has a strong moral message. Hard work always has positive consequences, and I think that have a self-motivating lesson for students with this book is a great way to teach students life skills. Not all of a teacher's class time should be spent with academics. Every teacher needs to take time to deliver important messages to all students, and reading books like this one is a great way to promote hard work and the goodness that comes with that.
Tia dreams of going to the beach, but, she must save money to buy herself a car to be able to go. She dreams of what the drive would be like, but her brother makes fun of her. He says that walking around town is just fine instead of going to the beach. Tia ignored her brother, and she began to make a stack of money for her future car. But, her brother continues to put her dreams down. Again, Tia ignored him, and after she saved her money for a while, she went to buy herself a car, but unfortunately, she did not have enough. She began to worry that it would take too long for her to save her money. She begins to find small jobs around town, and with all of her hard work, she saves up enough money to buy a car. And, finally, Tia takes her own car down to the beach.
Evaluation:
I liked this book because it represents something that many students as they get older go through. Also, many low SES student's parents might go through the same struggle of not being able to afford a car to get them places, and it shows how dedication and hard work always prevails. I would definitely have this book in my classroom library.
Teaching Idea:
Think that this book has a strong moral message. Hard work always has positive consequences, and I think that have a self-motivating lesson for students with this book is a great way to teach students life skills. Not all of a teacher's class time should be spent with academics. Every teacher needs to take time to deliver important messages to all students, and reading books like this one is a great way to promote hard work and the goodness that comes with that.
September 21, 2018
Summary: Tia Isa is a young immigrant woman working at a bakery so she can send money back to her family abroad. She is also saving up money to buy a beautiful green car that she will be able to drive to the beach. Tia Isa’s niece notices her struggle to raise money for the car, so, in secret, she decides to help her aunt raise the money. Tia Isa’s niece begins performing odd jobs around the neighborhood to raise enough money to help her aunt. Both girls have the image of the whole family traveling to the beach in this shiny green car; this keeps their spirits up and the hard work worth it.
Evaluation: I think this book is a very simple, colorful way to portray what caring and saving can do. Caring about people we love, even if they do not live with us, is very important; a sense of family. The way Tia Isa’s niece decides to help her aunt raise the money for their dream car is absolutely precious. And the task of budgeting/saving to get things you want is an important skill that everyone should learn to do.
Teaching Idea: I would encourage the use of this text as a teaching aide in second grade social studies and/or fourth grade ELA. Second graders are learning about goods and services in their social studies class and I believe this text could provide a good example and/or connection for students. Fourth graders could use this as an ELA mentor text for figurative language like similes.
Evaluation: I think this book is a very simple, colorful way to portray what caring and saving can do. Caring about people we love, even if they do not live with us, is very important; a sense of family. The way Tia Isa’s niece decides to help her aunt raise the money for their dream car is absolutely precious. And the task of budgeting/saving to get things you want is an important skill that everyone should learn to do.
Teaching Idea: I would encourage the use of this text as a teaching aide in second grade social studies and/or fourth grade ELA. Second graders are learning about goods and services in their social studies class and I believe this text could provide a good example and/or connection for students. Fourth graders could use this as an ELA mentor text for figurative language like similes.
September 11, 2018
Summary: Tia Isa wants a car. She wants a car to drive her family to the beach. The narrator of the story describes how her Tia Isa decided she wants sea green car that reminds her of the island her family is from. The young narrator's uncle thinks this is a silly idea and Isa is out to prove him wrong. The young girl watches her aunt balance saving for her car and sending money home to their family on the island. She decides to help Tia Isa out by doing jobs for neighbors and those in her community. At the end of the book they are able to save enough to buy a car just like Isa wanted and go to the beach as family.
Evaluation: This is an excellent book that has economic and cultural themes. The book is well-written. There are Spanish phrases scattered throughout that add authenticity to the authors writing. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading it to my elementary class one day.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to pair with economic standards on saving and using money for consumer goods. This is a great book to begin to introduce the concept of saving money to purchase goods to younger students. To help students make the connection to their life I would weave this into an economics unit where students are able to save "money" earned throughout the week of this unit and then purchase a desired product for the teacher's "store". This would be a great way to use reading while teaching content.
Evaluation: This is an excellent book that has economic and cultural themes. The book is well-written. There are Spanish phrases scattered throughout that add authenticity to the authors writing. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading it to my elementary class one day.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to pair with economic standards on saving and using money for consumer goods. This is a great book to begin to introduce the concept of saving money to purchase goods to younger students. To help students make the connection to their life I would weave this into an economics unit where students are able to save "money" earned throughout the week of this unit and then purchase a desired product for the teacher's "store". This would be a great way to use reading while teaching content.
September 11, 2018
Summary:
In this story, Isa's niece believes that her Aunt, or Tia Isa, can get the green car that she wants. Tia Isa tells her niece that it will take a lot of money and time to collect the money, because half of their money goes to help take care of her grandparents. This does not stop Isa's nice. She begins to do many small jobs, until finally she has earned enough money to buy the car for her Tia. Soon they are sitting on the beach, hoping the rest of the family can do the same soon.
Evaluation:
This story is a story of persistence and teaches the lesson to never give up, and to get the things we want, we must work hard and have a positive attitude. This story also incorporates different Spanish words, which will help students learn a little bit of a different language. Overall, this story not only teaches a good life lesson, but it is multicultural and can be used in many elementary school classrooms.
Teacher Tip:
I would use this story to help build moral in the classroom. If students are having trouble finishing their work, or working to the best of their ability, I would read them this story to teach them that good work and a positive attitude pays off. We can then have a reward system that could be along the lines of, if you get this many points, you can get your "green car."
In this story, Isa's niece believes that her Aunt, or Tia Isa, can get the green car that she wants. Tia Isa tells her niece that it will take a lot of money and time to collect the money, because half of their money goes to help take care of her grandparents. This does not stop Isa's nice. She begins to do many small jobs, until finally she has earned enough money to buy the car for her Tia. Soon they are sitting on the beach, hoping the rest of the family can do the same soon.
Evaluation:
This story is a story of persistence and teaches the lesson to never give up, and to get the things we want, we must work hard and have a positive attitude. This story also incorporates different Spanish words, which will help students learn a little bit of a different language. Overall, this story not only teaches a good life lesson, but it is multicultural and can be used in many elementary school classrooms.
Teacher Tip:
I would use this story to help build moral in the classroom. If students are having trouble finishing their work, or working to the best of their ability, I would read them this story to teach them that good work and a positive attitude pays off. We can then have a reward system that could be along the lines of, if you get this many points, you can get your "green car."
April 5, 2018
This book is a Children’s Autobiographical book that portrays a girl and her aunt and uncle who live together, when the rest of the family still lives far away and is trying to rejoin them. The aunt wants to buy her first car, so that when the rest of family comes, she can drive them all to the beach. However, she does not have enough money. The girl helps her aunt save up money and takes on small jobs to do so. The story draws in children with the complex story-line and helps them to think about the concept of saving money for things that we need and want. The story has children thinking about a problem and how it could be solved. It is perfect for working with students ages three to seven. The pictures are beautiful watercolors and work well with the story. Accurate facial expressions make the characters relatable. Most of the characters are light-skinned, and the only way you would know of any cultural groups is the characters’ usage of Spanish words, peppered throughout the story. Readers are introduced to the idea of families split between different countries. There are no noticeable negative stereotypes present due to the family highlighted in the story being based on the author’s family.
September 21, 2018
Summary:
A young girl reminisces on how wonderful her Aunt is and how much she adores the stories she hears of her life before America. All her Aunt Isa desires is to have a car. They visit the lot, and imagine what it will be like when they finally accomplish this dream. Isa's brother, Andre, calls her crazy, but in the end, her niece and her save all of their money and finally live out dear Tia Isa's dream of buying a car.
Evaluation:
This was a wonderful depiction of a multicultural book, in that it gave accurate depictions of the cultural group being described, included intricate dialogue and had bits of Spanish present throughout the text. The way this book was laid out made it come to life on the pages, and was thoroughly engaging from start to finish. Definitely one for my classroom library!
Teaching Application:
This text would be a great cultural book, speaking towards language fluency and reading comprehension. I would also use it to address the idea of money management and saving as an applicable and very real issue, even today. It speaks well to the ideals of responsibility and hope -- that having a dream is a wonderful thing, but to make it come true, one must put in the work and spend their money wisely.
A young girl reminisces on how wonderful her Aunt is and how much she adores the stories she hears of her life before America. All her Aunt Isa desires is to have a car. They visit the lot, and imagine what it will be like when they finally accomplish this dream. Isa's brother, Andre, calls her crazy, but in the end, her niece and her save all of their money and finally live out dear Tia Isa's dream of buying a car.
Evaluation:
This was a wonderful depiction of a multicultural book, in that it gave accurate depictions of the cultural group being described, included intricate dialogue and had bits of Spanish present throughout the text. The way this book was laid out made it come to life on the pages, and was thoroughly engaging from start to finish. Definitely one for my classroom library!
Teaching Application:
This text would be a great cultural book, speaking towards language fluency and reading comprehension. I would also use it to address the idea of money management and saving as an applicable and very real issue, even today. It speaks well to the ideals of responsibility and hope -- that having a dream is a wonderful thing, but to make it come true, one must put in the work and spend their money wisely.
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