Sofia Martinez: My Family Adventure

Gr 1–2—Seven-year-old Sofia is the youngest of three sisters and likes to take charge of every situation. As school picture day arrives, she worries that no one can tell the girls apart and exchanges her photo from the previous year with that of a sibling. When no one notices the change, she seeks the aid of Hector, her faithful cousin and neighbor, to help her put together a look that no one will miss. Next, Sofia decides to make a piñata for her grandmother's birthday, which results in spilled flour, a very messy cat, and lots of family assistance. Her final escapade involves a runaway pet mouse in the house. Tender relationships with immediate and extended family, and especially with her papá, result in a lighthearted, enjoyable read. The illustrations are colorful and lively, albeit repetitive in nature, with characters looking a bit indistinguishable. Reminiscent of the television show Maya and Miguel, this book is appropriate for early readers, with widely spaced, large-size type, and generous use of white space. The inclusion of common Spanish terms and phrases lends a sense of authenticity to the characters, while the use of bright pink font to distinguish these words in the primarily English narrative and the addition of a glossary provides scaffolds for young readers.—Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, IL