Nana que sorpresa - Nanas Big Surprise, Del Sol Books

Author : Amada Irma Perez, Illustrator : Maya Christina Gonzalez
Preschool - 2nd Grade

Nana que sorpresa - Nanas Big Surprise, Hardcover, Bilingual, Book, Amada Irma Perez, Maya Christina Gonzalez, Preschool - 2nd Grade, 9780892391905, $16.95 Out of Print :(

Finally, the day arrived when we all piled into our old blue station wagon and drove to meet Nana at the bus station.

"There she is!" I cried. Through the bus window, I could see her familiar flowered rebozo... It was strange not seeing Tata next to her.

Nana's move from Mexico should be a joyous occasion. But this summer Nana is coming to California because Tata, beloved husband and abuelo, has died. Amada and her five brothers hope to cheer her up with a surprise—a coop full of fluffy yellow chicks, just like the ones Nana raised with Tata in Mexico. But no matter how hard everyone tries to make Nana feel better, it seems like nothing can bring a smile to her face. That is, until one day the chicks reveal a little surprise of their own.

Award-winning author Amada Irma Pérez gently explores universal themes of family, love, loss, and memory in this third collaboration with artist Maya Christina Gonzalez, whose bold and beautiful collage paintings leap from the page. Nana's Big Surprise offers comfort, feathers, and even laughter to readers of all ages.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Nana's Big Surprise to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

“...(a) powerful depiction of family love…Sweet, realistic, comforting.”
—Kirkus Reviews, 2007

“...fantastically engaging...a treasure hunt for found objects...a wonderful book about the love and support of a family. ”
—ForeWord, 2007

“Maya Christina Gonzalez’s illustrations infuse the humans with strength and dignity...”
—Book Notes, 2007

Booklist : In this moving, heartfelt picture book, Perez explains how a visit from Nana, who is in mourning for her husband, spurs her loving grandchildren to help by asking about the chickens in the family's coop. As they talk about the birds, they reminisce about Tata. The story, with characters inspired by the author's grandparents, is beautifully written, both in English and in Spanish. The sturdy, colorful illustrations are full of bright patterns, collage elements, and unusual perspectives that give them a magical edge. Although the busy backgrounds sometimes make the words difficult to read, this poignant tale of family love and grieving is ideal for reading aloud in either language, especially to children coping with deep losses of their own.