Review by Booklist Review
This year, Ernesto is finally ready to be a niño grande walking to school by himself, so his mama tucks a quarter into his pocket, telling him to use a pay phone "for emergencies." Each day, Ernesto's collection of quarters grows, and though he's tempted to spend them on treats like his friends do, he knows these quarters are special. As Ernesto weighs his new independence against the delights at a bodega, arcade, or food truck, debut author Matias offers an amiable view of a kid's routine in a bustling, friendly city neighborhood. With loose semitransparent washes in cheery colors and sketchy, expressive outlines, award-winning Zhang creates a vibrant, familiar world, filling interiors and street scenes with abundant, resonant detail. Though at week's end Ernesto can't resist the temptation to splurge on an irresistible treat, his smiling mama responds to the telltale crumbs with a hug. An author's note reveals this charming tale as his own childhood experience, when a quarter in a pocket and a pay phone on the corner meant independence for a kid.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A note to the reader opens this sparkling children's debut from Matias, who notes that before kids had cell phones, they used the pay phones once ubiquitous on city sidewalks, where each call cost a quarter. When Ernesto leaves for his inaugural day of school, walking for the first time without his parents, his dream to be a niño grande is fulfilled. But his mother still presses a quarter into his hand every morning: "For emergencies." While his peers spend their pocket money, Ernesto holds onto his daily quarters, refusing to part with them for the treats at Señor José's bodega or the tamales from Doña Tania's truck, all painted in a beguiling, inky mix of energy and intimacy by Zhang (When Rubin Plays). "These quarters are for emergencies," Ernesto explains, knowing that "each one is special." But on Saturday, an "emergency" at the barber shop--one quite different from the one readers may have envisioned--offers an opportunity for independent decision-making. The creators convey bustling, life-giving bursts of sight, sound, taste, and smell as they detail Ernesto's Dominican family, his Queens community, and his own canny balancing of prudence and pleasure. Ages 4--8. Agent (for author and illustrator): Hannah Mann, Writers House. (May)
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Review by Horn Book Review
It's a new school year, and Ernesto, an Afro Dominican boy wearing "lucky kicks" and "his favorite Mets cap," is finally allowed to walk the six blocks to school without his parents. Before he leaves, his mom hands him a shiny quarter "for emergencies" -- to call home using a pay phone if he needs to. Throughout the week, Ernesto saves his daily coin, despite temptations to spend the change on baseball cards, cheese puffs, or games at the arcade like his friends do. Friday arrives, and the irresistible smell of a street vendor's empanadas at the bargain price of $1.25 is well worth the expense. Matias's story is thematically rich, serving as an early math lesson on money and savings, while the depiction of a working-class family and community is matter-of-fact and welcome. Matias's text adeptly conveys the internal world of a child as he explores his new independence, while adhering to his mother's loving precautions. Zhang's ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations capture the warmth of Ernesto's family's apartment and pay homage to the vibrant Queens, New York, setting with such local landmarks as the 7 train and the Lemon Ice King of Corona shop. A note preceding the text gives context to payphones, quarters, and Matias's real-life memories. Many details are snapshots of decades past, but the themes in the tender narrative are timeless. Jessica AgudeloJuly/August 2024 p.107 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young boy learns the value of a quarter in Matias and Zhang's beguiling picture book. It's Monday and the first day of school. Ready to become a "niño grande," Ernesto prepares for the walk to school--this time without his parents to accompany him! With his lucky sneakers and favorite Mets cap on, he goes to the door, "feelin' freshhhh!" But wait! His mom cuts him off, handing him a shiny new quarter for a pay phone in case of an emergency. A kiss goodbye, and Ernesto heads out with his friends. The group stops at Señor José's bodega, where baseball cards tempt Ernesto. But he refuses to use his quarter. For the entire school week, Ernesto receives an emergency quarter from his mamá each morning and each day refuses sweet temptations such as jugos de frutas and tamales with steadfast determination. "These quarters are for emergencies." Fittingly, the story ends on an unexpected and delightful note. In his picture-book debut, Matias serves up a playful slice-of-life tale that bubbles with heart and gentle humor. A palpable portrait of community emerges through each named character and local tiendita introduced, guiding readers through Ernesto's neighborhood. Likewise, Zhang's gouache, watercolor, and ink artwork is richly dense, with lush colors, angled and wide perspectives, and expressionistic details that conjure a bustling city. Ernesto and his family are Dominican, while the surrounding community demonstrates racial diversity. A vibrant, bighearted account of a child's first forays into independence. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
