Description:
It's Tortolito's first Día de los Muertos without his abuelito, and Tortolito misses him every day. He's determined to celebrate his grandfather to the fullest. And that means buying Abuelo's favorite foods, wearing new clothes, and, of course, bringing a delicious tanta wawa--a traditional Andean bread--to visit Abuelo's grave.
Even during his family's celebration, Tortolito misses how close he and Abuelo used to be. By remembering and honoring his abuelito with his loved ones, can Tortolito learn to keep Abuelo's spirit with him every day?
Brief description:
Sara Andrea Fajardo is a Peruvian-American storyteller and educator. She writes books that celebrate her mixed heritage and Andean roots. She is the author of Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal, and Crack Goes the Cascarón. Just like Abuelito, she always picks the Tanta Wawa with the most sprinkles on it. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two kids, and very playful cat.
Review Quotes:
"A contemplative look at a child's grief. A perfectly pitched portrait of the personal and collective, and of real grief juxtaposed with real life."
- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Impressionistic art flows across the pages, capturing the motion of dance and flicker of candlelight with an immersive jewel-toned palette. This special, familial story focused on Peruvian traditions of Día de los Muertos is a welcome addition to books on this topic. A warm story." - ALA Booklist, starred review
"Fajardo tackles a weighty subject with great compassion and nuance, exploring the swirl of emotions that often arise from the loss of a loved one. Likewise, Oliva's superb, lush pastel-and-pencil art softens the impact of Tortolito's poignant journey down memory lane. A bittersweet treat."
- Kirkus Reviews