Review by Booklist Review
This captivating picture book seamlessly blends family and community connections, cultural heritage, and the universal theme of finding one's place in the world. Young Angélica spends her summer at her abuelos' home, full of her tíos, tías, y primos in the Dominican Republic. Upon her departure, her abuelo gifts her a güira, an instrument passed down from his mother, symbolizing their family's rich musical legacy. Cruz's narrative is heartwarming and evocative, capturing the essence of Angélica's journey as she transitions from the warmth of her grandparents' home to her bustling Washington Heights neighborhood. The güira serves as a tangible connection to her Dominican roots and her abuelo's stories of her lineage's musical magic, sparking a desire in her to recreate that enchantment. The illustrations, rendered in a digital watercolor style, are bustling with color and warmth, inviting readers into Angélica's vibrant world and effectively conveying her imagination and emotions of excitement, frustration, determination, and yearning as she struggles to find a place to play her güira. Cruz beautifully captures the dissonance between Angélica's memories of her summer and present reality, highlighting her quest to bring the magic of music into her everyday life. This delightful and meaningful read offers young readers a powerful glimpse into cultural identity, family bonds, and the power of music to bring communal joy and connection to one's heritage. Simultaneously released in Spanish as Angélica y la güira.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As Angélica and her family prepare to travel from the Dominican Republic, where they've spent the summer, back to New York, she knows she'll soon say goodbye to her family. The day before she leaves, Abuelito gives her a family heirloom, a Güira, shows her how to make its characteristic sound, and tells her about its unique power--"It makes the music go slow slow or speed up--fast fast." But back in Washington Heights, Angélica struggles to find a place to play the Güira, dismissed by her family, the school orchestra, and the neighborhood jazz band. Realizing she can play alone, Angélica picks up the Güira on her building's front steps, evoking the sounds of her ancestors on the instrument, and is soon joined by neighborhood musicians whose jam session leads to a fantastic block party. Batista's digitally created art blends vivid, bright colors and fluid imagery that pairs well with Cruz's uplifting text in this double picture book debut. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Publishing simultaneously in English and Spanish. Ages 5--8. (July)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Angélica is sad to say goodbye to her family in the Dominican Republic after a magical summer visit. As a parting gift, Abuelito gives the child an antique güira, a cylindric metal percussion instrument. As he scrapes the güira with a metal comb, Abuelito tells Angélica about their ancestors who played the instrument before her. "This güira has power," he tells her. "It makes the music go slow slow or speed up--fast fast." Angélica is excited to bring this piece of her beloved Dominican Republic back home to New York City; she plays it loudly whenever she misses Abuelito. Her family and her orchestra teacher aren't thrilled by the bold sounds, and Angélica can't seem to find a place where her music is welcomed. Undeterred, she plays outside, drawing neighbors with tamboras, accordions, and more until their street ignites with music and dancing. In the rhythmic beats of the güira, Angélica finds a connection to her roots and a harmony that brings her Washington Heights community together. Heartwarming themes of familial love and heritage resonate throughout, and Angélica is a resilient and empathetic protagonist; readers will admire her persistence as she searches for belonging. Rainbow-hued swirls emanate from the güira, infusing Batista's orderly scenes with energy; use of onomatopoeia gives the text an enjoyably rhythmic quality. A melodic tribute to the power of music. (Picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
