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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read, especially with all the Cuban onomatopoeic sounds. This does a great job of encapsulating a child's perception of a long road trip, and the love of this car the main character has. Filled with bright colors and a wonderful doublespread, this book is beautifully designed. This is definitely worth a read.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
4.0
I have a fascination with Cuba so I love reading about it. I love this story and how it is told ... it reads like a poem and I love the play with sounds and onomatopoeia. Even though it takes place in Cuba it's a universal story of ingenuity, family, & joy. The illustrations are brightly colored and make you feel as if you are there with the family traveling through the countryside to the city.
just_tina's review against another edition
The text connection that I am focusing for this book is Text to Self. My oldest brother has a 90's Grand Prix. Every single time the boy and his father worked hard to fix Cara Cara, I thought of my brother's car. His car constantly has something new wrong with it, the passenger door won't open, the doors' locking mechanism stopped working, the gas gage is way off, the visor mirror fell off, etc. Every time that happens, my brother has a new and creative way to fix it ranging form duct tape to wires. The boy and his father in the story had to try different tools to fix their car up and running. They, like my brother, refuse to give up on the car.
For this story, I also wanted to make a Text to Text comparison. This books writing style and text reminded me of all the picture books with the cows, for ex. Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin. Both stories have rhyming words and rhyming sounds. Both extensively use onomatopoeias to really draw readers in as well as some silly goofy words and sounds.
A text to self connection I have to the story is when the boy talks about being cramped in the car with his family and neighbors. I have experienced a cramp car many a time, and it usually makes for an uncomfortable trip. However, the boy had great enthusiasm for the trip and seeing his family, so he didn't let a cramped car get him down. I, too, have been more than happy to deal with a lengthy trip when I am headed on a trip or to visit family.
For this story, I also wanted to make a Text to Text comparison. This books writing style and text reminded me of all the picture books with the cows, for ex. Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin. Both stories have rhyming words and rhyming sounds. Both extensively use onomatopoeias to really draw readers in as well as some silly goofy words and sounds.
A text to self connection I have to the story is when the boy talks about being cramped in the car with his family and neighbors. I have experienced a cramp car many a time, and it usually makes for an uncomfortable trip. However, the boy had great enthusiasm for the trip and seeing his family, so he didn't let a cramped car get him down. I, too, have been more than happy to deal with a lengthy trip when I am headed on a trip or to visit family.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
A book that celebrates family, community, and the inventiveness of the Cuban people.
bookwormben's review against another edition
5.0
♥ All I can say is that the ending truly makes the story worthwhile. Read it! ♥
molly_dettmann's review
3.0
Great children’s picture book with crisp illustrations and lots of sounds. I wasn’t in love with the illustrations, but I adored the sweet story with some historical context.
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A homage to the classic beauty, perseverance, and family loyalty of Cubans, "All the Way to Havana" is the story of a family car and its trip to visit family. It isn't perfect, but it is theirs. I didn't know that due to the political climate, many of the American cars on the island are pre-1959 and so parts have been replaced numerous times! Talk about cool!
The illustrations were also done combining pencil drawings, paintings, and textures from photographs. Yeah I can't even begin to capture anything (let alone a '54 Chevy!!) this way.
This book is perfect for those who love transportation books or for those who love a family story of ingenuity and heritage.
The illustrations were also done combining pencil drawings, paintings, and textures from photographs. Yeah I can't even begin to capture anything (let alone a '54 Chevy!!) this way.
This book is perfect for those who love transportation books or for those who love a family story of ingenuity and heritage.
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
This book does a wonderful job of pulling everything together: a story that would be fun to read aloud (especially the car noises) and unbelievably vibrant illustrations. Even the end papers and the author and illustrators notes help make this book both a celebration and educational experience. I still wish I knew exactly what a "zero year birthday" is. Even google didn't explain it well. This is one of my favorites for this year.
missprint_'s review against another edition
5.0
This is really great. I could see this as a Caldecott contender. A well-researched and beautiful look at Havana from the eyes of a young local as his family takes a road trip to Havana.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeous text - read the book as a poem and it takes on a whole new lyrical quality. Then go back and drink in the beautiful illustrations by Mike Curato. Stunning.