Cecilia and Miguel are best friends, and have been since the third grade when he gave her bunny ears in the class picture. Their life-long friendship is recorded in warm recollections of bike races and soccer games, beach time and fishing from the pier.
Their closeness endures separation, “even when he drove north to college and she drove west.” The relationship evolves and grows, but remains strong even when … he dropped the ring and she found it inside her flan … he set up one crib and she told him they need two … the twins climb into their bed and beg for another story. In this celebration of friendship, best friends forgive mistakes, share adventures and—sometimes—even become family!
Popular children’s book author Diane Gonzales Bertrand teams up with illustrator Thelma Muraida to create an album of memories that reflect their shared Mexican-American childhood in San Antonio, Texas: swinging at birthday party piñatas, breaking cascarones over friends’ heads and dancing at quinceañeras. Young children are sure to giggle at the adventures of Cecilia and Miguel, and they’ll be prompted to ask about their parents’ relationship as well as explore their own.
Winner of the 2015 Skipping Stones Honor Award
Named to SpeakingLatino.com’s The Best 20 Latino Children’s Books from 2014 List
“Despite mishaps, flaws, and good-natured teasing, Cecilia and Miguel maintain strong ties…an infectiously warm celebration of friendship.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Each paragraph of English is followed by one in Spanish, and the texts flow smoothly, almost lyrically, while the illustrations tie together scenes from Cecilia’s and Miguel’s lives.”—School Library Journal
“Sweeping color illustrations reflect the enduring beauty of family togetherness, in this wonderful read-aloud picture book. Highly recommended.”—The Midwest Book Review
DIANE GONZALES BERTRAND is the author of numerous books for children. They include Cecilia and Miguel Are Best Friends / Cecilia y Miguel son mejores amigos (Piñata Books, 2014); Sofía and the Purple Dress / Sofía y el vestido morado (Piñata Books, 2012); Adelita and the Veggie Cousins / Adelita y las primas verduritas (Piñata Books, 2011); The Party for Papá Luis / La fiesta para Papá Luis (2010); We Are Cousins / Somos primos (2007); Ricardo’s Race / La carrera de Ricardo (2007); The Empanadas That Abuela Made / Las empanadas que hacía la abuela (2002); Uncle Chente’s Picnic / El picnic de Tío Chente, (2001); The Last Doll / La última muñeca (2001); Family, Familia (1999); and Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup / Caldo, caldo, caldo (1997). A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Bertrand teaches at St. Mary’s University, where she is also Writer in Residence.
Learn more by visiting her faculty page.
THELMA MURAIDA, an accomplished designer and artist, lives in San Antonio, Texas. She has illustrated Clara and the Curandera / Clara y la curandera by Monica Brown (Piñata Books, 2011), My Big Sister / Mi hermana mayor by Samuel Caraballo (Piñata Books, 2012), and Cecilia and Miguel Are Best Friends / Cecilia and Miguel son mejores amigos (Piñata Books, 2014) by Diane Gonzales Bertrand.
Learn more at thelmamuraida.com.
ATOS Interest Level: Lower Grades
Category: Picture Books
ATOS English: 2.4
ATOS Spanish: 2.3
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 174202
