My Big Family

by Yanitzia Canetti, Micha Archer (Illustrations)

When mama asks Alex, "How would you like it if our family were bigger?" he has no idea what's about to happen. One by one, his grandma, aunt, and cousins come to visit, but how many can fit before there's no more room?

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Latinx, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Yanitzia Canetti (born in 1967 in Havana, Cuba) is a Cuban author, translator, and editor.
Her published works include two novels (Al otro lado and Novelita Rosa), a collection of narrative short stories (La muerte nuestra de cada vida), and over 200 children's books. She has also translated many well-known children's stories into Spanish, including The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas, Curious George Rides a Bike, and a number of books by Dr. Seuss. Canetti has earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, a Master's in Linguistics, and a Ph.D. in Literature. She currently resides with her husband and two sons in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Big Family by Yanitzia Canetti, illustrated by Micha Archer, PICTURE BOOK Reycraft Books, 2020, $18. 9781478867906

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Alex likes to hear his mama tell him stories about Abuela in Cuba - but one day it's not just a story, she is coming to live with them and share Alex's room. How exciting. Soon there's more news, his Aunt Celia is coming to live with them and she's bringing Alex's 3 cousins, too. That is a big family! But now cousin Beto is coming, too! So many people in a house that used to be for 3.

Multiple families living under one roof is a reality for many kids - I'm delighted to see a picture book that represents this in such a happy way. Alex is so positive, and even though things aren't perfect he's making the best of things. Micha Archer's illustrations are bright and colorful, they say almost as much as the text does. A fun picture book about having a full house.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This joyful and bright picture book details the arrival of family from Cuba and the troubles of a big family. Though some family move to their own house, Alex learns of an arrival that will be with them always.

This book is sweet! I have many families that move from other countries and settle in our community. It is likely this book will bring stories of families that helped their families when they emigrated to Michigan.

[Gabriela Suchecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Big Family by Yanitzia Canetti is a family book. The main character Alex is excited when he learns that his family members from Cuba are moving to his home. Until he feels frustrated because the house is too crowded and it feels loud. He always wanted a big family but it just gets overwhelming to him. This book shows the importance of helping each other. This book is recommended for readers at the k-2 grade level. I would read this book to my students during the read aloud session.

[Shariel Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great way to represent the way Cuban's look at family. They all contribute to the household and makes sure that everyone is fed, clothes and its always someone available, rather it's a child in need, a meal needing to be cooked, or just spending time. I loved that this book focused on family because I feel like that's what our society needs now, it really does take a village and families aren't the same. I plan to use this in my classroom.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book celebrating family and the bonds that connect us. A little boy and his parents welcome their large Cuban extended family who come live with them for a time when they immigrate to America. It celebrates all the good, hard, wonderful, challenging moments of being a family and loving each other.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few times while growing up when my family returned from being on the mission field and we would stay at my aunt and uncle's house until we settled back into the US. Sometimes there were 11 of us all in the same house! This reminded me a bit of that, how sometimes your house family gets bigger for a bit as they come and then go to other places.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute book, and has a necessary depiction of a multi-generational family sharing the same house, quite needed in US picture books which are almost exclusively about small nuclear families. Was really struck by the illustration style here, a mixture of rich oil painting and collage.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex has many relatives from Cuba come live in his house. When Alex thinks no one else can fit in the house, they all leave to places of their own. One more person comes into the house, his new sibling and Alex is quite happy about that.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially, Alex is excited to welcome extended family into his home, his bedroom. But when three people in a house becomes 9, it is too much! Eventually the extended family move out, having found their own living arrangements, but life is going to take on a new normal: a new baby.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me wish I was a part of this family! Members from Cuba keep coming to live with him and the house is bursting with people, noise, and activity. Until his Tia, Abuela, and cousins move to a place of their own. The house will be empty...or will it?

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The family here is Cuban, but the experience of having relatives--maybe TOO MANY relatives--fill the house is something a lot of kids will empathize with, and it's handled nicely. Handsome artwork as well.

[Axl Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Big Family by Yanitzia Canetti is a heartwarming celebration of family diversity and cultural traditions. I could use this in class to spark conversations about family structures, heritage, and the importance of belonging

[Kelly]

You expect the family to get bigger one way, but it gets bigger another way, and then your expectation comes true! (Vague because spoilers)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic, childlike voice and perspective. The illustrations are beautiful as well!

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatives come to stay with Alex and their family in their small house until they can get on their feet. Once they leave, Alex discovers there will be one more family member coming to stay.

[Y.Poston]

Beautiful immigration and family story.
Gorgeous collages!

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex's family gets bigger when various family members emigrate from Cuba to the United States!

I like the collage-style illustrations.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book about extended family.

[Jennifer]

I received an eSample courtesy of Reycraft Books.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was no overly intrigued by this story, but I certainly was fascinated by the illustrations with all the color and the various detailed patterns in the clothing and furniture. There was no cover on title I read and hence no author or illustrator information and I wasn’t recognized the illustrator’s name. So I looked for more info and found I had read several of her titles and enjoyed them. Then I found a fifteen minute video Ms. Archer telling and showing how she makes her collaged paper art illustrations. I wasn’t recognized thoroughly fascinated with the process as well as some of her experiences that contributed to all the detail in her work.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex likes to hear his mama tell him stories about Abuela in Cuba - but one day it's not just a story, she is coming to live with them and share Alex's room. How exciting. Soon there's more news, his Aunt Celia is coming to live with them and she's bringing Alex's 3 cousins, too. That is a big family! But now cousin Beto is coming, too! So many people in a house that used to be for 3.

Multiple families living under one roof is a reality for many kids - I'm delighted to see a picture book that represents this in such a happy way. Alex is so positive, and even though things aren't perfect he's making the best of things. Micha Archer's illustrations are bright and colorful, they say almost as much as the text does. A fun picture book about having a full house.

For this and more of m,y reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

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

Dynamic, color-saturated, well-conceived illustrations portray the mixed emotions a boy feels about his growing family—first by family members immigrating from Cuba, then by relatives needing temporary shelter, and finally by receiving a special delivery—which creates temporary chaos in his idyllic life as an only child. Archer cleverly portrays the boy’s increasing marginalization by gradually forcing him to the edge of the scenes until the relatives move out and the new arrival is announced. Canetti has carefully and creatively crafted a believable story about a boy who learns how to share his parents’ attention long before the arrival of the special delivery. Kudos for the realistic portrayal of a multicultural, extended family.