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Searching... Dayton Public Library | SP ADA | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Ada | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Saturdays and Sundays are very special days for the child in this story. On Saturdays, she visits Grandma and Grandpa, who come from a European-American background, and on Sundays -- los domingos -- she visits Abuelito y Abuelita, who are Mexican-American. While the two sets of grandparents are different in many ways, they also have a great deal in common -- in particular, their love for their granddaughter.
While we follow our narrator to the circus and the pier, share stories from her grandparents' pasts, and celebrate her birthday, the depth and joy of both cultures are conveyed in Spanish and English. This affirmation of both heritages will speak to all children who want to know more about their own families and ethnic backgrounds.
Author Notes
Alma Flor Ada, an authority on multicultural and bilingual education, is the recipient of the 2012 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and in 2014 she was honored by the Mexican government with the prestigious OHTLI Award. She is the author of numerous award-winning books for young readers, including Dancing Home with Gabriel Zubizarreta, My Name Is María Isabel , Under the Royal Palms (Pura Belpré Medal), Where the Flame Trees Bloom , and The Gold Coin (Christopher Award Medal). She lives in California, and you can visit her at AlmaFlorAda.com.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-A little girl recounts the joy of her weekends, Saturdays spent with her Euro-American Grandma and Grandpa and Sundays (los domingos) with Abuelito and Abuelita, her Mexican-American grandparents. She does different things in each place and goes on different outings: off to the circus, to the pier, out floating balloons or flying kites. She hears different stories that reflect her grandparents' heritages. However, on her birthday, it is clear that both sets of relatives are united in their love of their granddaughter. Lively, childlike prose that integrates Spanish words flawlessly and understandably makes this a winner for storytimes. Savadier's watercolor cartoon illustrations are bright, clear, and stylistically reminiscent of Lillian Hoban's work. Paired with books like Carmen Santiago Nodar's Abuelita's Paradise (Albert Whitman, 1992), or even such old standbys as Helen Buckley's Grandfather and I (Lothrop, 1994), this book will make a strong statement about cultural diversity and the universality of love.-Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In PW's words, "Through this affectionate and revealing portrait of a bilingual girl's weekend visits to her two sets of grandparents, this book proves that straddling two worlds can be a blessing rather than a hardship." Ages 5-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
A young girl spends Saturdays with her English-speaking grandparents and [cf2]domingos[cf1] with her Spanish-speaking [cf2]abuelo[cf1] and [cf2]abuela[cf1]. The double-page spreads show Saturday and Sunday activities mirroring each other and function as a translation for Spanish words in the text. The watercolors convey a feeling of warmth for both cultures. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
With English- and Spanish-speaking grandparents, the child in this story explores the wonders of both cultures. Saturdays are reserved for Grandma and Grandpa. On these days she eats pancakes, plays with Grandma's owl collection, and listens as Grandpa tells of traveling to America on a steam ship. On Sundays, the little girl visits with Abuelito and Abuelita. At their house, breakfast is huevos rancheros, and to celebrate her birthday they have a piqata. She learns of her Abuelita's Native American heritage and her Abuelito's life on a Mexican ranch. The left-hand side of each double-paged spread describes her Saturday activities; the right describes a similar activity at her other grandparents' house, with a sprinkling of Spanish terms. Even those without a background in Spanish will recognize familiar words and be able to decipher the meaning of unfamiliar ones through the illustrations and context. Bright and colorful watercolor paintings highlight the diversity and similarity in this multicultural celebration. Children eager to explore their own heritage will enjoy watching as the heroine embraces all the diversity in her life. (Picture book. 5-8)
Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. A little girl visits her Grandpa and Grandma, her father's parents, on Saturdays and her "abuelito y abuelita," her mother's parents, on "los domingos." Dearly cherished by both sets of grandparents, the little girl delights in the unique differences of the two households and moves with ease between the two cultures. Although the little girl uses Spanish words and phrases in describing her Sundays with her Mexican American grandparents, for the most part the meanings are explained or can be inferred from the context. Showing the various weekend experiences, Savadier's softly colored watercolor illustrations reflect the happy heart of the little girl. Together, Ada and Savadier have created a picture book that gracefully embraces and celebrates a young child's involvement in her dual heritages. Especially recommended for libraries serving Latino and multicultural communities. --Annie Ayres