A review by hanlapham
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, Christian Robinson
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Category: Immigration Picture Book
Title: Carmela Full of Wishes
Author: Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Date Published: October 9, 2018
Age Appropriateness:
- I think this book is best for students ages 5-8. It’s a very cute and hopeful story about a young girl learning about the hope that comes from dandelions.
Summary:
The story begins with Carmela finally being old enough to head to the laundromat with her brother. She picks a dandelion and is about to blow it when her brother asks her if she even made a wish. Although she didn’t know that’s what she was supposed to do, she lied to her brother and told her of course she did. She holds onto the dandelion for a while, thinking about the perfect wish she could make until she trips, and the dandelion is destroyed before she could even make a wish on it. Although he was annoyed with Carmela, her brother brings her to a cliff overlooking the sea where dandelion spores are floating everywhere. As they leave, she asks her brother if he wants to know her wish, and he reminds her that if she told him, it wouldn’t come true.
Review:
- I think the idea of this book is very powerful and inspiring. As a Christian, I don't necessarily believe in wishing on dandelions. I think it’s fun to blow on them, but ultimately it’s just false hope. And, although I can’t teach my future public school students about the hope of Jesus, I am not sure I want to teach students about believing in blowing on weeds for a wish they want to come true. On the other hand, it tells the story of Carmela, a seemingly regular girl, except her dad doesn’t have the correct paperwork, so he is not around. It reminds students that even if it looks like someone is happy, there is often more that maybe they don’t realize.