Abuelita: Full of Life
by Amy Costales; Illustrator Martha Aviles
Published by Lunar Rising Books
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Abuelita: Full of Life is a sweet bilingual story of Jose's family and the grandmother who comes to live with them.
Since Abuelita (grandmother) came to live with Jose's family, things have changed. She moves into Jose's bedroom, plants a backyard garden, cooks delectable food, reads the children stories and plays with Jose and his sister. Jose isn't sure, at first, if he likes the changes in his life and home, but learns that Abuelita is lively and has special things to share with her grandchildren.
Abuelita: Full of Life is about the importance of family. It is the celebration of and the melding of different generations into one household. It is the past for most of us in the United States--and it is a sad loss.
The illustrations are inviting and the message is valuable. It brought me back to my own childhood when my great-grandmother lived with us. I remember her knitting, listening to us talk, her stories and most of all the hugs and kisses lovingly given from the rocking chair. And that's a good thing.
Armchair Interviews says: Abuelita: Full of Life is a book children and adults will love. Many will feel the yearning of what was and is no more.
Author's Web site: http://www.LunaRisingBooks.com