“In this cozy, comforting tale, the strength and love woven into Xia’s braids will always be there―even when he isn’t.” ― Foreword Reviews , starred review A little girl feels her father's love as he takes time to braid her hair each night and share imaginative bedtime stories. Every night, Xiomara's (zee-oh-MA-da) papa delicately braids her hair before bed. As he gently tugs and twists and tightens her hair, father and daughter embark on imaginative and fun adventures as he makes up stories about Xia and her trenzas, or "braids" in Spanish. In one story, her trenza becomes a sturdy twisted vine that she uses to bravely swing through the jungle. In another, her trenzas are jump ropes as she catches the beat to play double Dutch with the best players in the neighborhood. But Xia worries what she would do if Papa was not there to help her in a real adventure―like starting a new school. Could the strength Xia needs already be woven into her braids?
In a Nutshell: Such a sweet story about a father-daughter bond being strengthened by their trenza time. Loved this debut work!
Xiomara is a little girl who eagerly awaits her father’s return from office every evening. After all, that’s their special together time, when Papa braids her hair and tells her amazing stories woven around her braid (trenza.) One evening, when Papa gets stuck until late in office, Xiomara and her hair suffer the consequences of not having the nightly trenza time. But on his return, Papa makes her understand the significance of her trenza, how it is connected to her confidence, and reminds her that he is ‘only a trenza away.’
‘Trenza’ is Spanish for ‘braid.’ Who could imagine that an entire story would be woven around braids! And such a lovely one at that! Father-daughter bonds are the strongest, and hence such picture books celebrating this loving relationship are a treat to me.
I adored how braids form a substantial part of the narrative in this picture book through the textual content, the message, as well as the illustrations. What I liked even more is how her father played the main role during trenza time. It’s not like Xiomara didn’t have a mother – she does. But trenza time is daddy time, and no one can take Papa’s place. I adored this creative choice of depicting a father skilfully handling what is traditionally considered a mother’s job in parenting.
I would have been happy just to see this loving daddy-daughter bond on the page. But the book goes a step beyond and incorporates an amazing life lesson as well, which too comes *tied* to the trenza. Xiomara’s braided hair is interlinked by her dad to being brave, self-confident, and self-sufficient. He also connects the trenza’s interwoven strength with her own family’s steady support. The final note by the author is worth a read, as she details the history of the trenza and her own Latinx family’s trenza time.
The illustrations are the icing on the cake of this lovely book. The illustrations elevate a great book to an outstanding level. Every page has Xiomara’s trenza playing an important role. The colours are bright and vivid, and the sketches are full of hidden detailing that children would love to pore over.
Definitely recommended. This would serve as a lovely bedtime read as well as a book for provoking cultural discussions in the classroom. The language and content make the book suitable for ages 3-8.
4.5 stars.
My thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Only a Trenza Away”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Yes the book is short but it’s so magical! Zia and her father have got a special routine each day at the end of the day, her father doing the special braids for her hair and have lots of fun adventure with him. I would stop here and tell you the illustrations are breathtaking!
However, some days when her father couldn’t come back home in time Xia gets worried and she feels no one will help her in her adventures. Well, her father gives her an answer which we all will gain the most out of.
Read this beautiful magical book to know when it comes out!
Thank you, Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the advance reading copy.
Papa nightly braids his daughter Xia’s hair. During Trenza (braid) time they go on imaginary adventures where she gets to be brave, patient and ambitious. I love that the father is the one doing the braiding and explains how his sisters taught it to him. He also teaches her love symbolism in the braids themselves. The story is sweet with cheery illustrations. This would be a very welcome on my school library shelves for its positive message and POC diversity.
Papa says, “There will be adventures, like going to your new school, when you’ll need to be brave, patient, focused, and curious. And while you might be on your own, you’ll never be alone, mi’ja.
This is a picture story of a girl Xia who while having her strands woven into braids by her father went on an imaginative adventure where they go in jungle, played duel and jump ropes. But her father via these stories made her prepare for the time when he'll not be there.
This is an amazing work for all the girl children who knew how much it meant to be having their father around.
A sweet tale of a girl's adventure to face new challenges by remembering to be strong as her Trenza or braids. A soulful story of father-daughter love.
This charming picture book is something we need more of! This is a book about a little girl and her relationship with her father. After bath time each night he weaves her hair into a braid, whilst telling her stories. In telling her stories the father is preparing the daughter for her future, when he won't be there, telling her she will be strong enough to face whatever comes.
This is a story of familial love, body positivity, tradition and tenderness. I loved it.
The artwork was beautiful, the storytelling was perfect. I give this 5 stars.
Such a beautiful fun imaginative story. The illustrations are beautiful and love in the book was wonderful. I had my husband read it to our babe while I braided her hair and I'd love to make this happen more often. I also loved the note in the back about the history and culture of trenzas.
Very sweet story between father and child. The story arc is effective in showing how to handle fears and develop strength. The illustrations are lovely.
Using the metaphor of a braid, or trenza, as a reminder of love for self and others, the picture book Only a Trenza Away: A Tale of Trust and Strength by Nadine Fonseca and illustrated by Camilla Carrossine (Shadow Mountain, August 2023) gives a tender lesson between a father and a daughter, emphasizing the importance of inner strength. In the story, Xiomara discovers her own courage, resilience, and patience through the nightly ritual of her father braiding her hair and creating adventures. However, when he cannot braid her hair one night, Xiomara learns she needs to find strength within herself as she prepares for a new adventure at a new school.
In the story, Xiomara’s father teaches her the meaning of the three sections of braid: one section to remind her of those who love her, one section to remind her of those she loves, and the final section to remind her to love herself now and as she hopes to be in the future. Then, as she faces the idea of going to her new school, Xiomara sees her braid and remembers how her father’s love is just a “trenza” away.
The vivid illustrations bursting with bright, swirling colors reflect Xiomara’s confidence and hope. Further, sprinkled throughout the book are a handful of Spanish words, adding a unique cultural touch to the father-daughter duo.
I felt a little unclear as I read as to whether the father tells adventurous stories during the hair braiding session or if Xiomara alone imagines the adventures. In the end, it does not matter, because Xiomara realizes that the braids and the cherished time spent with her father provide her with her strength. Ultimately, she learns the powerful lesson that love accompanies her always, just a braid away.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love this story! It’s super cute! First, let me say how darling the illustrations are! They are bright, colorful, and well done. They give the reader such a great idea of who Xiomara is and what her personality is. I especially love the illustrations of the places Xiomara and her father travel to while he braids her hair. The jungle scene is my favorite!
I love the bond between father and daughter. Their relationship is so sweet and sincere and full of love. A lot of dads read stories to their daughters at night, but I don’t know any that braid their daughter’s hair. What a sweet moment. Through this nightly ritual, Xiomara learns to be brave, patient, and ambitious. She’s definitely a daddy’s girl through and through!
When her father can’t be home one night to braid her hair, Xiomara has a rough night. She feels lost and sad, and her hair doesn’t feel right. Her father comes home and hears about her rough night. He says the sweetest line to her, “I was only a trenza away.” Trenza is the Spanish word for braids. When she feels scared or sad, all she needs to do is think of her braids and the adventures she’s shared with her dad, and she’ll feel him near. She’ll be able to remember to be brave because her dad wove that bravery into her braids.
Content Rating: G • Profanity: None • Intimacy: None • Violence: None Age Recommendation: Everyone
Only a Trenza Away- A Tale of Trust and Strength, by Nadine Fonseca, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine Only a Trenza Away, is a tender story where a daughter deeply connects with her father, as he lovingly braids her hair every night. An adorable book with mesmerizing illustrations, where a young girl Xio learns different virtues like patience, bravery, trust, strength from her father as he carefully braids her tresses every night. As her father braids Xio’s hair, she feels safe and secured protected by her father near her, brave and strong to face the world.
It’s about how a small nighttime routine can turn into a meaningful bonding time where a father and daughter go on a journey together. A journey that is colorful, enchanting, and at times unfamiliar. This is when the father bolsters Xio, to be ready to face the world even if he would not be there with her. Clearly, this nighttime routine helps Xio navigate through the unforeseen times, instill love and confidence and thus shape her personality.
This unique story is a family staple, we loved it and we believe your family will love it too.
I read this story aloud with the three year old girl that I babysit and we really enjoyed it. The pictures were bright and inviting. The script on each page wasn't too long or too short, and held both mine and this young girl's attention. We stopped on each page to comment on everything that was going on.
I will say - read the info on the inside of the book cover before reading this book. I did not, and had no idea how to pronounce Xiomara, nor totally knew what trenzas were (though after a bit we figured it out). I think I would have liked to see that maybe on the first page of the story, as a little "before you read" section or something rather than on the inside of the cover. But that is just a personal preference for me, and a suggestion for you.
Overall though, this was a great read that I will be keeping around, and most likely rereading with this sweet girl that I watch. I can see me reading it to future grandchildren as well. It teaches kids to be strong, even when they don't think they can be. Wonderful lesson for little readers!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a lovely adventure between a little girl and her father's nightly routine before bed. He braids her hair and she imagines wild stories that take place between her and her father. When he's late to return home, she doesn't get her hair braided and worry pervades her sleep and creates a huge tangle in more ways than one. This is a great story about how children love structure but when that routine is disrupted, they need reassurance that all will be okay. Her father explains how he loves to braid her hair because he used to help his sisters with their "trenzas" until they no longer needed him. Both get to enjoy the quality time they spend prepping for bed after his long day at work. The illustrations were very sweet. I love the colors and the Spanish language that is inserted throughout the book. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a second-grade teacher, I'm always looking for new picture books to share with my class. Only A Trenza Away is such a wonderful book that can be shared with children in school, and especially at home. It is a book that brings generations together. This story shows the sweet relationship between a daughter and her father who braids her hair every night before bed. While braiding her hair he tells her stories that take Xiomara on adventures to places she's never been.
Another thing wonderful about this book is what Xia's father tells her as he braids her hair into sections. He reminds her of the people who love her deeply, the many people who will need her love, and also to remember to love yourself exactly as you are now and who you hope to be. What super messages to share with children. Love is a universal language that all will be able to understand. This heart-warming book needs to be shared with families in all cultures.
Every night before bedtime, Xiomara’s father braids her hair and they go on imaginative adventures together. He makes up stories about Xiomara and her braids (or trenzas). One night, her father wasn’t there to braid her hair and she felt lost without having her trenzas in her hair. Xia must learn that the strength from her trenzas is already within herself.
This is a beautiful picture book. I loved the ritual that Xiomara had with her father braiding her hair every night. It reminded me of when I was a child and my dad would read me bedtime stories. I also liked that it was her father that braided her hair, which would stereotypically be considered a “female job” to braid her daughter’s hair. The time her father spent braiding her hair was nice bonding time for Xia and her father.
Only a Trenza Away is a beautiful story!
Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a copy!
This books follows the nightly routine of a father and his daughter of him braiding her hair, trenzas. The magic and connection between the father and Xiomara just touched my heart, as someone who also has a tight connection with her own papa (although, as much as he tried -- no help with my trenzas in my youth) -- it was nice to see a book where that is portrayed. I loved reading and seeing the beautiful illustrations about their nightly adventures. This was also about routine, and when that routine gets interrupted for children, it can be an emotional moment for them and the little life lesson papa gives Xio at the end of the book will just melt your heart, it's a lesson we, as adults, can also keep in our hearts. What a beautiful book!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This lovely illustrated book is about Xiomara's relationship with her father and their bond. Every night her father braids her hair before she goes to sleep, and during this process they share adventures and stories in lots of possible scenarios, while she also learns about her own confidence and strength. First of all the illustrations by Camila Carrosinne are stunning and so colorful, I'm obsessed. And the story has a beautiful father-daughter relationship, that even reminded me of my own relationship with my dad, and when he combed my hair before school. I loved how imaginative their "trips" were and the important lesson she learns by the end about her own life, future and her family's traditions with braids.
I received an electronic ARC from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley. Readers meet a young girl who waits eagerly every evening for her Papa to get home. He will braid her hair as he shares about adventures the two will go on. The love and support shine through. One evening, Papa has to work late and for unknown reasons, her mama cannot braid her hair. She feels lost and unable to take care of her hair or be brave. The story finishes with Papa again braiding her hair and talking about the future when she will be strong and courageous enough to set forth on adventures on her own. Lovely message of encouragement and family support. The soft focus of the artwork around the characters is soothing and helps readers visualize the adventures. Terrific book for families to read together.
Sweet story of a father’s love. I love that this book focuses on the relationship between a father and his young daughter. Xiomara and Papa have a special bedtime routine of him braiding her hair. While he braids, they visit places in their imaginations through the stories he tells. In the process she learns to be brave, patient, focused, curious, and ambitious. The message is even when you’re on your own, you’re never alone. The three parts of the braid remind her of people who love her, who need her love, and to love herself. The Author’s Note suggests a family can braid bracelets to wear as a reminder that they’re not alone. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for a copy to use for my review.
Only a Trenza Away weaves a sweet and uplifting story about family love and support and fostering growing independence. The story and lovely, colorful illustrations highlight the special "trenza time" that Xia looks forward to and enjoys with her Papa as a nightly tradition. As he braids her hair, they go on imaginary adventures together. I enjoyed seeing how the trenzas were so creatively incorporated into the illustrations of each whimsical escapade--sometimes as jungle vines, other times as jump ropes! I loved the part of the story where Papa tells Xia that the different strands of her braid can each remind her of important things that will help her along her life's journey and also remind her that she is never alone.
Trenza (or braids in Spanish) time is Xiomara and her Papa calls hair brushing time.
Papa took Xiomara on a trip to the Jungle, the moon, and the waterslide before bedtime. This was the beginning of hair time for Xiomara. She and her Papa take many adventures together after hair time. The Trenza plays a major part in the adventure. The braids became a tool to swing through the jungle. Moreover, they had amazing adventures and as a result Xiomara was very brave. Papa every evening, brushes and braids Xiomara’s. One evening, Papa did not come home from work, who will brush hair? What about the adventures?
Thank you Nadine Fonseca, Camila Carrossine, and Shadow Mounting Publisher, NetGalley for the privilege of reading and giving an honest review.
A swert story of a daddy/daughter relafionship. Every night he braids her hair and tells her a story but overall is trying to teach her to be brave, patient, etc. one night dad has to work late (and mom can't help?) and she feels lost without him. The next day he tells how each section of her trenza will cover strength and it makes everything alright.
I loved the pictures and its nice to read a story about a dad and daughter. I wish the 'fairytale' stories were longer than a line or two. Makes the storytelling a bit weak. Also, bummed the mom was given a 'helpless' role and unable to help her daughter when she needed it. Overall, a cute story but needs some parental explanations for children to fully understand the messages.
Only a Trenza Away is such a sweet story of family relationships, specifically that of a father and daughter. Every night father and daughter go on wonderful adventures as the father braids his daughter's hair and teaches her life lessons. An extra treat can be found at the end of the story where the author shares information which adds an extra special touch. The story and the beautiful illustrations will tug at your heartstrings for sure.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All comments and opinions are voluntary and strictly my own.
What a beautiful story about confidence, culture and a sweet father-daughter relationship!
This would be the perfect book for any child, especially those who may be experiencing life changes or challenges. I love the depiction of the relationship between the child and her father and how important this special time is to her. I also enjoyed the cultural aspect of the book, which could be explored further as part of a lesson or just to extend the reader's interest.
I would definitely purchase a hard copy for my daughter once it's released! Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
I love picture books! I still read them myself. And I still read them to our 9 year old son, at least sometimes.
This book's artwork and story are so well done. I loved the sweet story in this one with a dad and his daughter. The relationship these two share is so special, with the dad braiding his daughter's hair every night after bed. The two share magical adventures and time together. The time especially is something that his daughter needs.
I love everything about this one. If you've got littles around, you're going to love this one!
I was sent a copy of Only a Trenza Away as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review; all opinions are my own.
This children's book is delightful!
I didn't know what "trenza" meant until reading the story—it incorporates a few Spanish words within the English text.
The themes are love, family, strength, and being there for others. I love to see the relationships of kids with their parents in such a positive light. Love pours off the page.
The book also includes background information about the tradition of braiding hair.
I want a physical copy on my shelves! And I highly recommend this book.