What do you think?
Dear Abuelo
There is much Juana is going to miss as she moves from Mexico to New York, but nothing more than her abuelo. Through letters to her grandfather, Juana details her flight, her new apartment, and her first days of school where everyone speaks a language she barely understands. When Juana makes her first friend, though, things begin to change.
24 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 3, 2020
Gorgeous illustrations, and a fun concept.
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2020.
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2020.
January 14, 2020
Reading this was like being in a garden; a garden goes through different seasons of growth and change. Sometimes a garden sleeps, and everything you see is waiting and quiet. Then spring happens and voila! with tending and love, the garden chances to life!
Juana's letters to her grandpa (abuelo) are wonderfully honest and without any self-pity or anger even when she is in a whole new world where she literally doesn't understand anything. Juana watches and waits and writes back to her Abuelo about her life--I love epistolary books!--and how she is boosted up by her mother, her new friend Elizabeth, her discovery of books in Spanish at the library (!), etc.
Look for the flower motif that flows throughout the pages; the art is so lovely and reminds me of traditional embroidery.
Juana's letters to her grandpa (abuelo) are wonderfully honest and without any self-pity or anger even when she is in a whole new world where she literally doesn't understand anything. Juana watches and waits and writes back to her Abuelo about her life--I love epistolary books!--and how she is boosted up by her mother, her new friend Elizabeth, her discovery of books in Spanish at the library (!), etc.
Look for the flower motif that flows throughout the pages; the art is so lovely and reminds me of traditional embroidery.
April 12, 2020
From the inaugural line of books by Reycraft Books, this #OwnVoices title is by an immigrant from Mexico.
In eight letters to her grandfather, Juana tells of her immigration experience from Mexico to New York City, including her first days of school where she makes her first friend.
Written for young children, Juana is sad to leave her abuelo behind, but excited by her adventures in an airplane, confused by the language barrier, frustrated by mispronunciation of her name, and makes a new friend who is bilingual. Dominguez maintains an innocence and freshness of voice in each letter. Juana grows as a character with each life experience she has - from leaving her comfortable past to the unknown future. Digital artwork(?) by Teresa Martinez is as light and colorful as Juana's world. A fine match. A bonus is the text is hand-lettered, as if written by Juana.
Perfect for units on immigration, as it touches on several issues that new immigrants often face.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
In eight letters to her grandfather, Juana tells of her immigration experience from Mexico to New York City, including her first days of school where she makes her first friend.
Written for young children, Juana is sad to leave her abuelo behind, but excited by her adventures in an airplane, confused by the language barrier, frustrated by mispronunciation of her name, and makes a new friend who is bilingual. Dominguez maintains an innocence and freshness of voice in each letter. Juana grows as a character with each life experience she has - from leaving her comfortable past to the unknown future. Digital artwork(?) by Teresa Martinez is as light and colorful as Juana's world. A fine match. A bonus is the text is hand-lettered, as if written by Juana.
Perfect for units on immigration, as it touches on several issues that new immigrants often face.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
July 21, 2020
A beautiful story where a young girl (Juana) writes to her grandfather in Mexico when she moves to the United States. She is brave and observant as she navigates her new setting while learning English and finding her confidence.
July 13, 2020
Super cute!!!!! Love Juana's name. Love her letters to Abuelo. Love her new friend Elizabeth. Love the librarian (shameless plug). Love her aspiration of becoming a bilingual author. Love it!
September 23, 2020
Sweet as pie! and I love the reference to Juana Martinez-Neal!
March 17, 2022
Love love love this beautiful book!
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November 6, 2022 I received a sample eARC courtesy of Reycraft Books.
April 18, 2023
I so loved this book too ...... worth the reading, more than once!
October 14, 2023
I wish this would have been English and Spanish. It was a very good book, but I would have liked to have read it in Spanish.
October 9, 2025
storytime book!
i read this to my kids to share in hispanic heritage month!
i read this to my kids to share in hispanic heritage month!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews