Mariana and Her Familia

K-Gr 2–Born out of the author’s own experience growing up, Mariana’s story imparts the challenges and strengths of families that are culturally and geographically distant. Mariana and her Mami are traveling to México to see her abuelita, tíos, tías, primos, and primas. Visiting her large, Spanish-speaking familia in a new country gives Mariana major jitters. When she mistakenly calls abuelita by aguelita, Mariana is overcome with embarrassment. Abuelita beckons to her, “Ven aquí.” Together they read a book about the Big Bad Wolf—un Lobo Hambriento—and Mariana is delighted as Abuelita tells the familiar tale in Spanish. Mariana’s feelings about not belonging fade quickly when she adds her fotografía to her family’s wall of pictures and joins them for a delicious meal. And thus, the joy and love of familia transcends language and distance, making Mariana feel right at home. The dynamism and vibrancy of Mexican culture spills from the page in Meza’s gouache and watercolor pencil illustrations. The use of grayscale for skin tone, pops of painterly font, and playful perspective are unexpected visual twists that make this title a standout.