My Abuelita
A vibrant picture book describes a boy’s morning with his abuelita, with whom he lives. “After she stretches, my abuelita takes a shower.” Abuelita is round like a calabaza (pumpkin), with a face “crinkled as a dried chile” and hair the color of salt. There are many allusions to Abuelita’s work, which remains a mystery until the final page, as they get ready for the day. Eating “starry eggs” for breakfast, his abuelita yodels to loosen up her voice. On the way out the door, she “booms out words, loud and clear. She always says the words should be round as dimes and as wild as blossoms blooming.” Tony Johnston’s narrative is full of fresh turns of phrase and vivid, surprising descriptions as she details this warm, playful, loving relationship. Yuyi Morales’s distinctive, richly hued illustrations are photographs of the three-dimensional tableaus she created that incorporate Mexican crafts and cultural details. ©2009 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Yuyi Morales, Tim O'Meara
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-7
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Grandmothers
Mexicans and Mexican Americans
Diversity subject:
Latine
Publishers:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Harcourt
Publish Year: 2009
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780152163303
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Johnston