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mouse55's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mbrandmaier's review
4.0
"Just because you can't remember a place doesn't mean it isn't in you." Lola gathers info from family and friends about what life was like on the Island where she was born.
librarianoliviarae's review
3.0
Memory is magic; within you is the place you come from.
I enjoyed this book, the illustrations are beautiful, rich in color, playful, and textured. They perfectly guide a sweet story about learning about one’s history and culture through the oral tradition.
But the story is dense and lacks context which is important for children and those who read with them. I would have appreciated an authors note or facts in the back to ground the story in place and allow parents, teachers, librarians not familiar with the historical context a place to start a conversation with young readers. Perhaps this omission/vagueness was intentional as the experience of islanders fighting a “monster” and coming to America is not necessarily unique, but the story that Lola gathers is. I also was confused by the constant parenthetical mention of Nelson, a boy in Lola’s class. These moments felt like an interruption from an important narrative and were somewhat negative.
Worth reading with older children along with other books about the Dominican Republic and Dominican-American people.
I enjoyed this book, the illustrations are beautiful, rich in color, playful, and textured. They perfectly guide a sweet story about learning about one’s history and culture through the oral tradition.
But the story is dense and lacks context which is important for children and those who read with them. I would have appreciated an authors note or facts in the back to ground the story in place and allow parents, teachers, librarians not familiar with the historical context a place to start a conversation with young readers. Perhaps this omission/vagueness was intentional as the experience of islanders fighting a “monster” and coming to America is not necessarily unique, but the story that Lola gathers is. I also was confused by the constant parenthetical mention of Nelson, a boy in Lola’s class. These moments felt like an interruption from an important narrative and were somewhat negative.
Worth reading with older children along with other books about the Dominican Republic and Dominican-American people.
jesshooves's review
Espinosa’s illustrations showing how memories transform a New York neighborhood into a harbor of island culture’s heart is truly magical as they depict a little girl collecting and drawing neighbors’ stories of island roots.
seregelda's review against another edition
4.0
So beautiful and colorful and creative! I was annoyed they didn't name the island for the entire book, but I suppose that lets lots of immigrant kids claim it as their island, which is nice. In the subjects on the copyright page it actually specifies the Dominican Republic and the years 1930 to 1961, I'll have to go research to see what exactly the Monster was. (ETA: it was a dictator named Trujullo)
jbolwerk8's review
4.0
Lola’s class is given an assignment to draw where their families emigrated from. Lola came from the Island, but she was just a baby and doesn’t remember it. With the help of her family, friends, and Island community, she is able to recreate what the Island was like and is reminded that the Island will always be a part of her. One thing that confused me was the monster that was included, and I wish I knew what that eluded to! Overall, this was a very diversity-positive book.
readwithpassion's review
5.0
This book is absolutely enchanting. I can confidently say that it will always be one of my favorite picture books of all time. When Lola asks family and friends about the island that she came from, they have wonderful memories that they share with her. The illustrations and words dance off of the page—Díaz and Espinosa, the author-illustrator team, combine to create a work that will stun readers with its beauty and complexity. I took the pages from the F&G and hung them on my office walls, and they inspire me daily.
As I read this book, I continually paused to reflect on the words (“Just because you don’t remember a place doesn’t mean it’s not in you” and “Memory is magic.”). There is so much to teach from this book, and I am really looking forward to sharing it with students. If you haven’t read this book, I recommend you get in your car and drive immediately to the bookstore.
Teacher’s Tool For Navigation: There are so many possibilities for this section for teacher. They might analyze text and word choice, focusing on figurative language. Or they could examine the emotions that Lola experiences as she tries to learn about the place that she comes from. Or they might have students research their own countries of origin and create an image that represents the magic of the country. Or they might consider a monster that exists in their country and draw it metaphorically or symbolically. This is a book that is meant to be shared and shared.
More tools for teachers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=15841
As I read this book, I continually paused to reflect on the words (“Just because you don’t remember a place doesn’t mean it’s not in you” and “Memory is magic.”). There is so much to teach from this book, and I am really looking forward to sharing it with students. If you haven’t read this book, I recommend you get in your car and drive immediately to the bookstore.
Teacher’s Tool For Navigation: There are so many possibilities for this section for teacher. They might analyze text and word choice, focusing on figurative language. Or they could examine the emotions that Lola experiences as she tries to learn about the place that she comes from. Or they might have students research their own countries of origin and create an image that represents the magic of the country. Or they might consider a monster that exists in their country and draw it metaphorically or symbolically. This is a book that is meant to be shared and shared.
More tools for teachers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=15841
marmar_16's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this so much! It even made me tear up lol
It reminded me of my mom and her family.
It reminded me of my mom and her family.