Young Daniel doesn’t share his dad’s excitement over going to a family reunion. What’s the big deal? After all, it’s just going to be a bunch of old people he doesn’t know, sitting around telling stories about other old people he doesn’t know. Once there, though, Daniel is in for several pleasant surprises—and a happy discovery about the meaning of family, familia.
In this refreshingly homespun bilingual story for children ages 5 to 9, the author of Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup / Caldo, caldo, caldo has written a touching tale that children and adults will delight in sharing. Pauline Rodriguez Howard’s soothing pastel illustrations strengthen that enjoyment. Family, Familia will make a wonderful gift, opening young children’s eyes to the little pleasures and blessings that come from knowing their extended family.
First Place in the 2001 Latino Literary Hall of Fame’s Best Children’s Picture Book- Bilingual category
Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage
University of Houston
4902 Gulf Fwy, Bldg 19, Rm100
713-743-3129
Houston, TX
77204-2004
Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Project is a national project to locate, identify, preserve and make accessible the literary contributions of U.S. Hispanics from colonial times through 1960 in what today comprises the fifty states of the United States.
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.
PAULINE RODRIGUEZ HOWARD, a native Texan, holds a degree in art from the University of Houston. She has illustrated several picture books, including Uncle Chente’s Picnic / El picnic de Tío Chente (Piñata Books, 2001). She resides in San Antonio.
JULIA MERCEDES CASTILLA writes for children and adults. Her novel, Aventuras de un Niño de la Calle, published by Editorial Norma in Spanish, has sold over 125.000 copies and has become required reading in some schools in Latin America. The book was published as Emilio in Spanish. At the present time she is at work, finishing an adult book and writing a book for middle grade children.
Learn more at juliamercedescastilla.com.
ATOS Interest Level: Lower Grades
Category: Picture Book
ATOS English: 3.5
ATOS Spanish: 3.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 23995
