Overview

Full Product Details

9781580895774

Table of Contents

Reviews

Isabella is excited for her first day of school in a new country, because she knows it means making new friends. She misses those she left behind in Colombia, not to mention her father, who is waiting for permission to join Isabella, her mother, and her grandmother in the U.S. On the much-anticipated day, Isabella wakes up early only to be confronted by snow blanketing the ground and fluttering through the air like butterflies. When she learns that school is canceled, she is heartbroken. As she sits by the window, Isabella sees a young girl fall in the snow. Isabella quickly puts on her coat and boots and runs outside, where she finds the girl is actually making a snow angel. The girl invites Isabella to join her. I don't know all her words, Isabella narrates, but I understand enough. She happily flops onto the snow and helps her new friend build a snowman, complete with sombrero vueltiao and rauna (poncho). Drawing upon Betancourt-Perez's immigration experience, this story contains many of the emotions children may feel when settling into life in a new country. Instead of portraying Spanish as a linguistic barrier for Isabella, the cheerful illustrations (created with crayon, acrylic paint, and Photoshop) show how the girls' fun transcends this difference. A glossary of Spanish words and an author's note further enrich this heartwarming story. --Booklist, starred review

Author Information

Jessica Betancourt-Perez grew up in Palmira, Colombia, and the United States (immigrating at fifteen). She holds a master's degree in school psychology and currently works as a school psychologist in a large, suburban school district in York, Pennsylvania. Karen Lynn Williams holds a master's degree in deaf education. She has lived in Africa and in Haiti. Karen had an early dream to be one of the youngest published authors, starting a writing club at ten. She is the author of fourteen books for children. Gina Maldonado studied architecture and interior design in Colombia, Mexico, and Italy and then discovered her real passion--illustration. www.cocogigidesign.com

Tab Content 6

Countries Available