Review by Booklist Review
Abuela is coming to live with Ana and her mami. Ana is excited to welcome her grandmother, who will look after her while Ana's mother is at work. This story is highly successful in maintaining the child's point of view--all the events are filtered through how they impact Ana. She is not selfish, but for a child this age, not much exists beyond their direct experience; therefore, she has not realized that Abuela's arrival means no more Señora Mimí. What will she do without her loving babysitter; Mimí's baby, Nelson; and their dog, Pancho? Caregivers play central roles in the lives of many young children, yet that relationship is not often explored in picture books. Ana is bereft until Mimí reminds her they will still be neighbors. Cicchese's illustrations set the story in the present day. Warmth is displayed on every page through the matching sweaters that Mimí has knitted for Ana and herself, the waving Mimí depicted as a pink shadow when Ana goes to school, and sweet, toothless Pancho under a table, comforting Ana. Ana demonstrates growth as she comes to accept that circumstances can change and acknowledges she is lucky indeed to have Mami, Mimí, and eventually Abuela surrounding her with love and security. Simultaneously released in a Spanish edition.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's a special day: Ana's abuela is moving in with Ana and Mami, and will take care of Ana while Mami works. Until now, neighbor señora Mimí--along with her baby, Nelson, and dog, Pancho--has been taking Ana to school every morning and picking her up each afternoon. "Now anda, little one," señora Mimí prompts, "Vamos.... We're almost out of time." Not until a classmate's chance remark--"No more señora Mimí to tell you what to do every day!"--does Ana realize that in gaining Abuela, she will lose the babysitter's daily presence. In conversational prose ("I hadn't really thought about that"), Medina (Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away), observes Ana as she begins to grasp the complexity of the transition: "I won't be able to tell señora Mimí the best parts of my day or the things I'd do over." Via digitally created spreads, Cicchese (The Kitten Story) peers into the faces of Ana and señora Mimí as they acknowledge the change. In this compassionate work, a relationship whose nuances Ana hadn't truly considered holds the key to her consolation as the two make new plans together. Protagonists cue as Latinx; background characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 5--7. Agent (for author and illustrator): Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. (Sept.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Ana spends mornings and afternoons with senora Mimi, her neighbor and babysitter who has "a two-tooth baby named Nelson and a no-tooth dog named Pancho." She is excited that her abuela is going to start watching her when she moves in with Ana and her mami until Ana realizes, "No more senora Mimi? I hadn't really thought about that." On her last afternoon at senora Mimi's, Ana starts to feel down about a new routine without her beloved babysitter. Senora Mimi consoles her: "Grandmothers love us in a very special way, so I know you are excited about your abuela. But I will miss you, Ana, and I feel a little sad." They come up with some concrete ways they can all be friends when her abuela comes, and that cheers them both up. Cicchese's soft digital illustrations are filled with inviting jewel tones and soothing textures including crayon strokes, knit patterns, and wood grain. Medina captures the young narrator's voice perfectly so that young readers will be able to understand the tricky emotions that come up in the text. This is a warm tribute to all sorts of caregivers, and the final scene shows Ana's abuela fitting in seamlessly with this loving relationship. Concurrently published in Spanish as No mas senora Mimi. Monica de los ReyesSeptember/October 2024 p.53 (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 child prepares to say goodbye to a beloved babysitter. In the morning, Ana and Mami walk upstairs to apartment 4C, where señora Mimí awaits. As Mami heads off to work, Ana begins the day with señora Mimí, a "two-tooth baby" named Nelson, and Pancho, a "no-tooth dog." Señora Mimí hurries Ana to school, but Ana's nearly exploding with excitement. After all, Abuela plans to move in with Mami and Ana later that night. Now Abuela can babysit Ana while Mami works! After patient señora Mimí drops off Ana at school, Ana eagerly tells the entire class about Abuela's imminent arrival. During class, Ana suddenly realizes that these treasured days with ever-present, dependable señora Mimí might end. How will señora Mimí be there for Ana now? A compassionate consideration of caregivers, Medina's careful, playful text blends spare dialogue with telling details that, piece by piece, build up Ana's tender friendship with señora Mimí. Hints of other everyday adventures shared between child and caretaker believably tease out the central conflict, which comes to a suitably upbeat conclusion. Cicchese's artwork boasts a rich palette of warm shades of yellows, oranges, and browns. The main characters are Latine; Ana's community is diverse, and one classmate uses a wheelchair. An affectionate shoutout to sitters.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
