Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This moving bilingual picture book tackles a difficult issue with grace. Jose's Mexican-born mother was deported to Tijuana, and as the story opens, Jose and his father are preparing to drive down from San Diego to see her. Their reunion is understandably joyous, and Cepeda offers several tender scenes during a visit that is all too short. Lainez keeps his story grounded in reality: Jose's mother says she'll come home as soon as she can (a lawyer is working on her case), and Jose promises to visit every weekend. A solid resource for children in Jose's situation. Ages 6-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Colato Lainez, a teacher, draws upon his own and his students' immigrant stories to tell this moving story. Jose arrives home from school one day to find that his mother has been deported back to Mexico for having illegally entered the United States. Jose and his father, who has gained residency status, plan a trip to see Mama. While spending the day in Tijuana at her shelter, they decorate her room with photographs to comfort her as she awaits word from her attorney about her reentry into the country. As the day ends, Jose falls asleep in his mother's lap while telling her one last story before they leave to await her return. The realistic, earth-toned, oil-on-canvas paintings and Spanish-English bilingual text appropriately capture a child's perspective on the not-so-pretty impact of immigration policies. A timely and important addition for schools and public libraries.-Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When Josi's undocumented mother is abruptly sent back to Mexico from San Diego, his father takes him across the border to visit her in Tijuana. The story, presented in both English and Spanish, sensitively reflects life for many immigrant kids. The text is a bit wordy, but Cepeda's illustrations, which focus on the loving family, will help keep readers engaged. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
After his mother is deported by U.S. immigration officials, Jos and his father go to visit her at Centro Madres Assunta in Tijuana, where she will stay with other women and children until she gets her papers and can return. Frankly a plea for sympathy for families torn apart by immigration rules, this tender story is gently told in Spanish and English texts, together or on opposing pages. Young Jos recalls his day: the border traffic jam, the joy of seeing his mother, gardening and a seed game with other children in the shelter missing their parents and a final bedtime story told in the car's backseat. The author, a Salvadoran immigrant, teaches in a bilingual school where his students often experience family separations. Cepeda's oil paintings, full-bleed single- and double-page spreads, use bright colors and a variety of perspectives to reinforce the joyfulness of the day. A road map of the area between San Diego and Tijuana serves as endpapers. The child's perspective makes this a particularly moving glimpse of an increasingly common experience. (Picture book. 5-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
