we didn't know.
Unable to understand
and afraid to speak,
we made lots of mistakes.
You and I
became caminantes.
Thousands and thousands of steps
we took around this land,
until the day we found ... "
What a wondrous cover this is! It offers an alluring invitation to open the book and see what's inside. This is Yuyi Morales' story of coming to the United States from Mexico more than twenty years ago. She brought her young son with her, and the two began a new life in San Francisco. It was a brave move for someone who could understand little of the language she heard, knew nothing about her new home, and experienced a terrible homesickness for all that she left behind to make the journey that would change her life completely.
The two became immigrants together. They learned from the mistakes they made. Their journey finally led them to the library ... a place they had never seen. The books on its shelves made all the difference.
"Books became our language.
Books became our home.
Books became our lives.
We learned to read,
to speak,
to write,
and
to make
our voices heard."
What joy and freedom the two found there!
Her boldly colored, detailed artwork is quite astonishing. The library itself is festooned with books by favorite authors and will be recognizable to many children who read it. Many of our favorite books are placed lovingly on shelves throughout its lovely, welcoming main room. Images from her Mexican heritage are evident and add context and beauty.
Beautifully told, perfectly presented, it is a book that speaks of the immigrant experience for children of all ages. Back matter includes My Story, and an extensive list of Books That Inspired Me (And Still Do). Exceptional!
If you would like to know more of Yuyi's story and her love for picture books, enjoy this keynote address:
https://youtu.be/HF8Qb6S2RME
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