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naughty_librarian's review
4.0
A sweet simple story of a little girl’s wishes: whimsical, heartwarming and heart wrenching.
erine's review
4.0
Every time I encounter Christian Robinson’s illustrations I like them more. He manages to wring so much emotion and action out of cut paper collage shapes, and it’s always a surprise.
The interplay between the siblings is delicious. Barely concealed animosity and grudging tolerance eventually give way to a really tender moment.
The interplay between the siblings is delicious. Barely concealed animosity and grudging tolerance eventually give way to a really tender moment.
sunshinegal's review
4.0
Appeal: Explores sibling dynamics, immigrant story/migrant workers, day in the life, hopeful, imaginative tone, Spanish language used
k_adams's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt De la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson
Published in 2018
4-8 years old
It is Carmela’s birthday and it is full of wishes. She is finally old enough to go into town with her older brother, even though he does not want her to. She finds a dandelion in the street and hangs onto it because she wants this wish to be grand. Maybe she wants a vending machine, or a hotel room for her mom, or her father - who was deported. When she falls on her scooter and the dandelion is not intact, her brother takes her near the ocean in a patch full of dandelions.
I think this book could be good for a classroom library. I would not necessarily recommend reading aloud for a classroom mostly because I myself was confused why this would be considered an immigrant book. However, with Carmela’s dad being deported, a teacher could mention that lots of families end up getting deported and how that could impact a family.
Published in 2018
4-8 years old
It is Carmela’s birthday and it is full of wishes. She is finally old enough to go into town with her older brother, even though he does not want her to. She finds a dandelion in the street and hangs onto it because she wants this wish to be grand. Maybe she wants a vending machine, or a hotel room for her mom, or her father - who was deported. When she falls on her scooter and the dandelion is not intact, her brother takes her near the ocean in a patch full of dandelions.
I think this book could be good for a classroom library. I would not necessarily recommend reading aloud for a classroom mostly because I myself was confused why this would be considered an immigrant book. However, with Carmela’s dad being deported, a teacher could mention that lots of families end up getting deported and how that could impact a family.
cweichel's review
5.0
A young girl is finally old enough to go out with her brother as he does his chores and makes his rounds. She makes all kinds of wishes that tell us about their lives. There iso subtle sibling conflict throughout the book, but by the end we are shown how much love they have for one anther.
This beautifully illustrated book gave me shivers!
This beautifully illustrated book gave me shivers!
coeurdartichaut's review
3.0
Cute but nothing else. I thought there would be a little more... It's hard not to compare it to others picture books I've read from latinx authors
tashrow's review
5.0
When Carmela woke up on her birthday, she knew that she was finally old enough to accompany her older brother as he did the family errands. The two headed out into their bustling urban neighborhood, passing shops, a nursing home, and street vendors. Her big brother though wasn’t as happy to have his little sister tagging along. He ignores her as much as possible, even as she jingles her bracelets and tries to get his attention. When Carmela discovers a dandelion growing in the sidewalk, she learns about making a wish before blowing on it. After a tumble though, it is smashed on the ground. Her brother though knows just what to do to make it better.
De la Pena and Robinson are the two that created Last Stop on Market Street together. In this second book, they tell the gentle story of a young girl reaching an important milestone in her life. The story is complex, revealing that her father has been removed from their home because he didn’t have the right papers. The relationship between the siblings is deftly shown, the older sibling not having much patience until something bad happens. Then his care demonstrates clearly his love for his little sister and leads to a culminating moment in the book.
Robinson’s art is wonderful. Done in painted collage, the illustrations have a warmth to them that works particularly well in this tale. He excels at showing relationships in his art, in creating special moments. The Valentine-like cut paper pages that show Carmela’s possible wishes are beautiful moments on the page.
Another gorgeous and diverse picture book from two masters, this one belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
De la Pena and Robinson are the two that created Last Stop on Market Street together. In this second book, they tell the gentle story of a young girl reaching an important milestone in her life. The story is complex, revealing that her father has been removed from their home because he didn’t have the right papers. The relationship between the siblings is deftly shown, the older sibling not having much patience until something bad happens. Then his care demonstrates clearly his love for his little sister and leads to a culminating moment in the book.
Robinson’s art is wonderful. Done in painted collage, the illustrations have a warmth to them that works particularly well in this tale. He excels at showing relationships in his art, in creating special moments. The Valentine-like cut paper pages that show Carmela’s possible wishes are beautiful moments on the page.
Another gorgeous and diverse picture book from two masters, this one belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 3-6.