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seregelda's review against another edition
4.0
So beautiful and colorful and creative! I was annoyed they didn't name the island for the entire book, but I suppose that lets lots of immigrant kids claim it as their island, which is nice. In the subjects on the copyright page it actually specifies the Dominican Republic and the years 1930 to 1961, I'll have to go research to see what exactly the Monster was. (ETA: it was a dictator named Trujullo)
jbolwerk8's review against another edition
4.0
Lola’s class is given an assignment to draw where their families emigrated from. Lola came from the Island, but she was just a baby and doesn’t remember it. With the help of her family, friends, and Island community, she is able to recreate what the Island was like and is reminded that the Island will always be a part of her. One thing that confused me was the monster that was included, and I wish I knew what that eluded to! Overall, this was a very diversity-positive book.
kristinac_'s review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautiful children’s book, both visually and metaphorically.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
This book is absolutely enchanting. I can confidently say that it will always be one of my favorite picture books of all time. When Lola asks family and friends about the island that she came from, they have wonderful memories that they share with her. The illustrations and words dance off of the page—Díaz and Espinosa, the author-illustrator team, combine to create a work that will stun readers with its beauty and complexity. I took the pages from the F&G and hung them on my office walls, and they inspire me daily.
As I read this book, I continually paused to reflect on the words (“Just because you don’t remember a place doesn’t mean it’s not in you” and “Memory is magic.”). There is so much to teach from this book, and I am really looking forward to sharing it with students. If you haven’t read this book, I recommend you get in your car and drive immediately to the bookstore.
Teacher’s Tool For Navigation: There are so many possibilities for this section for teacher. They might analyze text and word choice, focusing on figurative language. Or they could examine the emotions that Lola experiences as she tries to learn about the place that she comes from. Or they might have students research their own countries of origin and create an image that represents the magic of the country. Or they might consider a monster that exists in their country and draw it metaphorically or symbolically. This is a book that is meant to be shared and shared.
More tools for teachers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=15841
As I read this book, I continually paused to reflect on the words (“Just because you don’t remember a place doesn’t mean it’s not in you” and “Memory is magic.”). There is so much to teach from this book, and I am really looking forward to sharing it with students. If you haven’t read this book, I recommend you get in your car and drive immediately to the bookstore.
Teacher’s Tool For Navigation: There are so many possibilities for this section for teacher. They might analyze text and word choice, focusing on figurative language. Or they could examine the emotions that Lola experiences as she tries to learn about the place that she comes from. Or they might have students research their own countries of origin and create an image that represents the magic of the country. Or they might consider a monster that exists in their country and draw it metaphorically or symbolically. This is a book that is meant to be shared and shared.
More tools for teachers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=15841
marmar_16's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this so much! It even made me tear up lol
It reminded me of my mom and her family.
It reminded me of my mom and her family.
juperez's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderfully written, beautifully illustrated story about family, our many homes and the richness of the cultures that make us who we are.
hello_itsbee's review against another edition
5.0
I had the super duper honor of hearing Diaz read some of this book last night so I wrapped it up today! I normally never mark reading kid's picture books on GR since it feels like cheating for my challenge, but this is a very special exception.
This book is so sweet and colorful and honestly so important when it comes to representation. Everyone with little ones needs a copy in their home.
This book is so sweet and colorful and honestly so important when it comes to representation. Everyone with little ones needs a copy in their home.
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
"Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you."
Lola is given an assignment at school to draw the place where she is from. The problem is, Lola doesn't remember because she came to the United States as a baby. So at her teacher's suggestion, she enlists the help of her family and the people in her neighborhood to help her find that sense of place she is missing.
Junot Diaz is known for his literary fiction, but I hope he writes more picture books because this book was completely enchanting. The writing is beautiful and Leo Espinosa's colorful illustrations are both joyful and sublime. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with kids.
Lola is given an assignment at school to draw the place where she is from. The problem is, Lola doesn't remember because she came to the United States as a baby. So at her teacher's suggestion, she enlists the help of her family and the people in her neighborhood to help her find that sense of place she is missing.
Junot Diaz is known for his literary fiction, but I hope he writes more picture books because this book was completely enchanting. The writing is beautiful and Leo Espinosa's colorful illustrations are both joyful and sublime. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with kids.
mnboyer's review against another edition
5.0
Lola is an island girl who is surrounded by friends from diverse areas (this is a multicultural school). For class, everyone is supposed to draw a picture of their home country and all of the ‘unique’ things from that country. But Lola is from the Island and therefore a little distressed that she won’t have anything unique. She was a baby when the family left, so she does not remember anything. So she starts asking other people what they think of when the Island is mentioned – taking notes, she starts thinking of what to draw (bats, drums, coconuts, mangoes, the list is big!). Her abuela tells her a place is inside of you even if you don’t remember it all. Mr. Mir tells her all about the monster that was vanquished there. Eventually, Lola draws a masterpiece that she gets to share with her class.
This book should be used to discuss the importance of oral tradition in many cultures. Storytelling is often a way that cultural information is passed from generation to generation and this book is a great example of this type of knowledge sharing that youth can identify with. The fact that Lola learns about the Island from various people is useful, because it shows that different things hold certain meaning to different people.
Absolutely stunning illustrations and a story that is very, very interesting. I think the story skews older (perhaps 5-8) but it would make a great reading book. The cultural knowledge shared in the illustrations is fundamental.
This book should be used to discuss the importance of oral tradition in many cultures. Storytelling is often a way that cultural information is passed from generation to generation and this book is a great example of this type of knowledge sharing that youth can identify with. The fact that Lola learns about the Island from various people is useful, because it shows that different things hold certain meaning to different people.
Absolutely stunning illustrations and a story that is very, very interesting. I think the story skews older (perhaps 5-8) but it would make a great reading book. The cultural knowledge shared in the illustrations is fundamental.