NCW Libraries

"Libby and her great-aunt, Lobo, both learn the Pledge of Allegiance--Libby for school, and Lobo for her U.S. citizenship ceremony"--

When Maria, Juan, and their mother go to the border between California and Mexico to visit their grandmother at Christmas, Maria must devise a way to get Juan's gift over the fence.

The narrator observes and describes the many people and activities in his Mexican American neighborhood, from Amelia arguing with Anita to Zacarias who lives on Zachary Street.

Because he can only speak Spanish, Francisco, son of a migrant worker, has trouble when he begins first grade, but his fascination with the caterpillar in the classroom helps him begin to fit in.

A young girl wishes her family could be more like her friends' families and subconsciously blames her abuela and her yellow handkerchief, but she slowly grows to appreciate and love the language and culture the handkerchief represents.

Illustrations and text follow a girl's journey to overcome her fear of the special dessert she loves so much: La Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with a baby Jesus figurine baked into it and eaten on Three Kings' Day.

"A boy and his father cross the United States-Mexico border every other Saturday, visiting their favorite places, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care"--

A rhythmic text with repetitive phrases relates how the children watch Mamá make soup (recipe included) and go with Papá to get tortillas before enjoying the results of her labor.

What will Little Lobo see at the Mercado today? As he and his dog, Bernabe, make deliveries, he stops to visit his friends who sell candy, comic books, puppets, and more. There are so many things to do and see! Join Little Lobo and Bernabe for a visit to a bustling border town market and learn some Spanish along the way! --

"In this celebration of friendship, best friends Cecilia and Miguel forgive mistakes, share adventures, and--sometimes--even become family"--