A Maleta Full of Treasures
CCBC Review:
It’s been three years since her Abuela’s last visit, and Dulce imagines her upcoming arrival with maletas—suitcases—full of exciting surprises. Indeed, her Papi must squeeze Abuela’s many maletas into the car when they pick her up at the airport. She’s brought chocolates and caramels, books, photos, and blankets “softer than cotton balls.” As the days pass, Dulce slows her consumption of the treats, realizing that they will run out, and so will her Abuela’s visit. As the maletas are packed for the return trip, Dulce adds her own gifts of mini dolls for her primas, and a collection of pictures she’s drawn of her time with her Abuela. At departure, her Abuela declares that someday Dulce will fly to visit her, but for now she should check under her bed. There Dulce discovers a new suitcase with her name on the tag, filled with candies, cookies, pictures, a hand-knit chullo, and a loving note. The story is relatable for anyone with cherished relatives who live far away, yet specific to Dulce’s family with details and seamless translanguaging. A note describes the art as honoring “Andean cultures, including the Quechua, Inca, and Aimara people” in the color palette and patterns appearing throughout. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Juana Medina
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-7
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Gifts/Presents
Grandmothers
Spanish Language
Travel
Diversity subject:
Latine
On CCBC Booklist:
Global Reading: Selected Books for Children and Teens Set in Other Countries
Publishers:
Dial, Penguin Random House
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780593462423
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Sylvester