Description: Join half-sisters Mari and Luz in an exploration of time and estimation, because STEAM is everywhere and for everyone!
Part of STEAMWORKS, a series of fiction picture books for ages 4-7 that relate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) to kids' everyday lives. Mari and Luz are a special kind of sister: half sisters! They share the same Papi but have different moms, so they spend only weekends together. When Luz's mom is running late, the girls are determined to make the most of their extra time--planning their activities, estimating how long each will take, and diving in. But time runs out too soon, and Mari feels sad. Luz reminds her that they're sisters ALL the time, even if they can only be together some of the time. Extend the learning beyond the story with expertly crafted back matter, including additional information about telling time and fun STEAM activities. STEAMWORKS features children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific and mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. Playful stories and extension activities ignite excitement for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and empower children as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators. STEAMWORKS picture books are also available in Spanish.Review Quotes: Half-sisters Luz and Mari, both drawn with light brown skin and darker brown hair, cherish the time they spend together every Saturday, playing and giggling all dat at their Papi's house. However, when Sunday rolls around, the girls are sad to part ways as they must return to their separate lives. One Sunday, Luz's mom runs late, giving the sisters the unexpected gift of an extra two hours together. How will they make the most of this precious time? In this installment of the "Steamworks" series, Padron uses the story of Luz and Mari to demonstrate how to keep track of and tell time. The girls map out their ideas with estimated time needed for each activity--from setting up dominoes to making "the longest trail ever," to playing "fashion show," their excitement jumps off each page as they plan how to spend their extended time. Padron beautifully captures the bond between Luz and Mari through their joyfully illustrated expressions in her art and their lively dialogue from beginning to end. The girls check in with clocks digital and analog throughout, until Luz's mother arrives; the special sisters shed a tear because they can't be together "24 hours a day, 7 days a week," but assure each other that they will be hermanitas (little sisters) 365 days a year.VERDICT A fun and heartwarming story that celebrates the special connection shared between sisters in blended families while reinforcing concepts related to learning about time.
--School Library Journal