#blogbookaday: A Gift From Abuela

Summary:

““In her first book for children, Cecilia Ruiz illuminates how things can change — and the importance of holding on to our dearest relationships when they do.

The first time Abuela holds Nina, her heart overflows with tenderness. And as Nina grows up, she and Abuela spend plenty of time together. Abuela can’t help thinking how much she’d like to give Nina a very special treat, so she saves a little bit of her money every week — a few pesos here, a few pesos there. When the world turns upside down, Abuela’s dream of a surprise for Nina seems impossible. Luckily, time spent together — and the love Abuela and Nina have for each other — could turn out to be the very best gift of all. With a soft and subtle hand, author-illustrator Cecilia Ruiz draws from her own history to share a deeply personal tale about remembering what’s most important when life starts to get in the way.“ (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

A little girl and her grandmother have a very special relationship and spend time together almost every week. Abuela, the little girl’s grandmother, wants to buy her granddaughter a special treat and saves a little money each week. But, as the young girl grows up and is busy with school and friends and the government changes the money making old money worthless, will the little girl and her grandmother spend time together again?

Personal Reaction:

I loved this sweet story of the special relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother. I grew up only knowing my maternal grandmother (my paternal grandmother passed away before I was born) and even so she lived far away from us. It’s only now as an adult that I’ve been lucky enough to form a stronger relationship with her. She’s smart, and funny, and strong. I loved how the story shows that as the little girl grows up, she doesn’t love her grandmother any less, sometimes life just gets in the way.  This is a beautiful story about family, love, and knowing what’s most important – that spending time together is better than any gift you could give.

Title: A Gift From Abuela
Author: Cecilia Ruiz
Illustrator: Cecilia Ruiz
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2018

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This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!