mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
Translated from Spanish by Elisa Amado, this is a sweet story of enduring love between two elderly people who are deeply content with their lot.
When Manuel is outside working the allotment he hears a passing car blaring out an invitation for the community to attend an evening's party in the main square. Excited of the prospect of dancing the night away with his wife, he hurries over to her only to find she doesn't feel beautiful enough to go out.
Manuel challenges each of her self-doubts assuring her that she is perfect. The play between Manuela's self-doubt and Manuel's adoration builds up with repeating refrains until Grandma concedes and both spend a glorious evening dancing under the stars. The penultimate spread is absolutely beautiful with a montage of pencil sketches of how, through the years, Manuel and Manuela have loved and supported each other.
The expressions on both grandparents' faces are sweet and it's oddly refreshing to have a picturebook with no children leading the story. A tender little tale.
When Manuel is outside working the allotment he hears a passing car blaring out an invitation for the community to attend an evening's party in the main square. Excited of the prospect of dancing the night away with his wife, he hurries over to her only to find she doesn't feel beautiful enough to go out.
Manuel challenges each of her self-doubts assuring her that she is perfect. The play between Manuela's self-doubt and Manuel's adoration builds up with repeating refrains until Grandma concedes and both spend a glorious evening dancing under the stars. The penultimate spread is absolutely beautiful with a montage of pencil sketches of how, through the years, Manuel and Manuela have loved and supported each other.
The expressions on both grandparents' faces are sweet and it's oddly refreshing to have a picturebook with no children leading the story. A tender little tale.
goldenkillie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
Part of what I really liked about this book is that the only two characters are grandparents, but there are no granchildren in the story. Because grandparents (and parents) are people first- people with a very loving relationship in this case- and whose lives don't revolve around the children. I love that. I don't think kids think about grownups having lives and relationships- this presents a little glimpse into that, and it's a very sweet glimpse. I wish that all children could see relationships like this modeled for them in real life- a love that lasts decades and isn't superficial. Very sweet!
toad_maiden's review against another edition
3.0
A poetic paean to growing old together. This one will likely find more love from adult audiences than kids, but who knows?
bookalong's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a sweet and heartwarming picture book! Grandpa is out in his garden when he hears there will be a dance that night. He then lovingly convinces Grandma to go with him even though at first she doesn't feel young and pretty enough anymore to go out dancing. But Grandpa counters this with lovely sentiments for how she looks beautiful just the way she is. I loved what a tender and special message this book sends. How love can be simple and genuine. When someone loves you especially for many years likes these grandparents have they see things about you that you dont maybe see about yourself. The illustrations were beautifully done also, very cheerful and whimsical. @greystonekids prints the lovliest kids literature!
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Thank You to the tagged publisher for sending us this book opinions are my own.
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong/
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Thank You to the tagged publisher for sending us this book opinions are my own.
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong/
erine's review against another edition
4.0
If anyone ever asks me for a picture book romance I will be grateful to have this title in my back pocket. Incredibly sweet, Manuel hears of a dance in the town and wants to take his wife. Manuela feels like she needs to spruce herself up beforehand, but over the course of her preparation, Manuel convinces her that she is beautiful as is.
Just adorable.
Just adorable.
tashrow's review
4.0
When Grandfather hears an announcement of a party in the main square, he knows just who to invite. He rushes home to ask his wife, Manuela, to join him. But Manuela isn’t quite as eager as he is to head to a party. Grandfather picks Grandmother a flower and tells her how beautiful she is. Grandmother heads inside to put on eyeliner, then mascara, then skin cream, but each time Grandfather tells her that she is lovely just the way she is and to hurry up so they can go dancing! Lipstick, hair dye and a change of clothes are the next delays, but Grandfather is ready to cajole Grandmother along. Finally, the two of them go dancing together, and Grandmother realizes that Grandfather is just as beautiful as the moon too.
First published in Portuguese, this charming picture book explores the power of love and of being oneself. Heras uses a series of metaphors to describe Grandmother’s beauty. Her eyes are “as sad and beautiful as stars at night.” Her white hair is like “a midsummer cloud” and her skin is wrinkly like “nuts in a pie.” Grandmother herself uses negative metaphors to describe herself, but those are all countered by Grandfather’s love and adoration for her.
The illustrations are quirky and interesting, filled with surreal combinations of spaces and objects. As they are together in the house, the couple sometimes appear sideways or upside down as well as right-side-up nearby.
A warm and lovely look at love and self-esteem. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
First published in Portuguese, this charming picture book explores the power of love and of being oneself. Heras uses a series of metaphors to describe Grandmother’s beauty. Her eyes are “as sad and beautiful as stars at night.” Her white hair is like “a midsummer cloud” and her skin is wrinkly like “nuts in a pie.” Grandmother herself uses negative metaphors to describe herself, but those are all countered by Grandfather’s love and adoration for her.
The illustrations are quirky and interesting, filled with surreal combinations of spaces and objects. As they are together in the house, the couple sometimes appear sideways or upside down as well as right-side-up nearby.
A warm and lovely look at love and self-esteem. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
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