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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.
luanndie's review against another edition
4.0
Una historia de autodescubrimiento y de la importancia de contar con una comunidad que te apoye dibujada con mucho mimo y narrada con una voz tierna sin caer en sentimentalismos y sobre todo, muy divertida. Una reflexión interesante sobre lo que cuentan y lo que callan los emigrantes.
brigidm's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
soupwitch86's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this story and the illustrations really blew my mind. I can't wait to read this with my nephew. I think it's a bit wordy for a picture book but definitely good to read to a child or read along with (I usually read a page, then have them read a page).
megatsunami's review against another edition
5.0
This book is great. I really loved how he initially focused on all the beautiful things about "the island" (i.e. the DR) and then also worked in the storyline about the "monster" which was both appropriate for kids' understanding and also deeply meaningful.
jelundberg's review against another edition
5.0
Dammit, Junot, your picture book made me cry. This is such a beautiful story.
momoj8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0