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A review by maxcfb
Abuelita and Me by Leonarda Carranza
5.0
As I write this review in a slightly emotional state, I find myself a little closer to the verge of tears writing about this book than I would expect to be! But it’s no surprise, really, when you consider that this deceptively simple book is so well-executed as to be beautiful and powerful.
We begin the story with our young protagonist and her Abuelita, and just a few quick sentences and illustrations show us how much of a warm, wonderful, compassionate woman Abuelita is, especially through our protagonist’s eyes. But as the book zooms out, it becomes clear that many other people have a different attitude about Abuelita—a racist attitude, specifically, leading to micro- and macroaggressions.
It’s heartbreaking to see how cruel people can be everyday to these two characters, and there is so much nuance in how people’s actions affect both Abuelita and our protagonist in different ways—and how the two characters then support each other in different ways.
But there is also joy in this story, made clear in so many ways through the two characters’ deeply loving relationship. And the illustrations are gorgeous, full of warm, rich colors, expressive faces, and falling autumn leaves. It’s also beautiful to see a girl who lives alone with her grandmother without any fuss made about it. This story is truly wonderful.
Click here to see the full review on my blog!
We begin the story with our young protagonist and her Abuelita, and just a few quick sentences and illustrations show us how much of a warm, wonderful, compassionate woman Abuelita is, especially through our protagonist’s eyes. But as the book zooms out, it becomes clear that many other people have a different attitude about Abuelita—a racist attitude, specifically, leading to micro- and macroaggressions.
It’s heartbreaking to see how cruel people can be everyday to these two characters, and there is so much nuance in how people’s actions affect both Abuelita and our protagonist in different ways—and how the two characters then support each other in different ways.
But there is also joy in this story, made clear in so many ways through the two characters’ deeply loving relationship. And the illustrations are gorgeous, full of warm, rich colors, expressive faces, and falling autumn leaves. It’s also beautiful to see a girl who lives alone with her grandmother without any fuss made about it. This story is truly wonderful.
Click here to see the full review on my blog!