Review by Booklist Review
In this beautiful and poignant homage, young Dulce eagerly anticipates her beloved abuela's visit from Peru. She is happy every few years to see Abuela and hold her close, but she's also excited to hear updates about her cousins back in the homeland ("mi tierra"), as well as to discover all of the treasures to be found in Abuela's stuffed, stickered, and story-filled maletas, or suitcases. Sylvester weaves an emotional storyline that explores, through the loving, long-distance relationship, the nuances of being first-generation and longing for a land you've never visited but always heard about. As Dulce navigates the high and low moments of her dear relative's visit coming to a close, she realizes she wants to send Abuela back to Peru with as many special gifts as her grandmother always brings to Dulce. In its vibrant, warm palette, Medina's cozy style of illustration brings to life Abuela and the magic of her maletas while capturing the bittersweetness of alternating joy and sadness that such an anticipated visit causes. Above all, this collaboration validates young readers with grandparents in faraway lands they dream of visiting--both their connections to their ancestral homelands and their relationships with their loving relatives.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A grandmother's visit reinforces a child's connections to "nuestra tierra, the land where my mom and dad were born, the place they left when I was only a seed," in this satisfying familial tale. The story begins with the child videochatting with Abuela, who's packing las maletas for an upcoming visit. "What would you like me to bring you, mi dulce?" she asks. "Just you," is all the child says, but upon Abuela's arrival, Papi loads the car with maletas "piled high as mountains." And back home, the child finds the suitcases filled with treasures: "Candies in crinkly wrappers. Baked goods in boxes. Story- books and pictures in frames and blankets softer than cotton balls." The young protagonist immediately enjoys the treats but begins to ration "because I know, like Abuela's visit, they won't last forever." As the end approaches and Abuela leaves for home, a surprise foregrounds "all the love I send and the beauty we share." Notes indicate that the tale has roots in Sylvester's memories of relatives visiting from Peru and that Medina's engaging digital illustrations draw inspiration from Andean cultures, whose work inspired the color palette and patterns used. Characters are portrayed with various abilities, ages, body types, and skin tones. Ages 3--5. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--Sylvester tells the story of a girl excited to get to see her grandmother, who is coming from far away. Her grandmother asks what Dulce would like from their home country, Peru. Dulce says she doesn't need things, just Abuela is enough. However, Abuela brings many things from her home--alpaca blankets, delicious candies and cakes--that fill the home with a scent of Peru. The best present of all is spending time with Abuela. Sylvester has recreated an experience that many children will understand: a visit from a relative has sensory details--the crinkly sound of candy wrappers--and grace notes, like taking the floor in Dulce's parents' room so that Abuela can have her bed. Medina perfectly captures the warmth of this family with her adorable, charismatic art. The pictures and context clues will help the non-Spanish speakers figure out the meaning of Spanish words that are lovingly woven into the text. This book has charming themes of family and connecting to family culture, even if it's far away. VERDICT Distance does not diminish the love of family. This is a wonderful book that will be highly relatable to many families. A must-have for any picture book collection.--Debbie Tanner
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Abuela's visit sparks a sweet celebration of the presents--and presence--she brings. The young narrator anxiously anticipates her grandmother's arrival; it's been three years since Abuela last visited. When the family picks up Abuela at the airport, her maletas--suitcases--make a mountain in the trunk of the car. What treasures might be inside from nuestra tierra, the family's homeland? Candies, storybooks, and soft alpaca blankets, along with messages from loved ones far away, fill the home. Though the child has never been to the family's homeland, it's still an integral part of her, and the gifts help her feel connected. The sweets are fleeting, just like Abuela's all too brief visit. But before she goes, Abuela leaves behind one bonus treasure so that the little one can share the love until Abuela returns. Medina's thick-lined cartoon images are drawn with simplicity yet are deeply expressive; the protagonist's emotions are palpable. Though context clues indicate that Abuela has traveled from Peru, that's never explicitly mentioned in the text, which will allow many readers to see themselves in this story, though those with Peruvian heritage may find additional richness. Indeed, this tale of bridging gaps is sure to especially resonate with immigrant families, as well as those who find themselves far from their roots. A cozy story of family treasures that sustain connections across the miles. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
