Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Review: A Sled for Gabo and Un trineo para Gabo by Emma Otheguy

We're getting snow today, and what better way to celebrate than a book about snow...
or how about two? This lovely illustrated tale not only is available in English but also Spanish! 

 

A SLED FOR GABO
by Emma Otheguy
Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
Atheneum Books
Picture Book 
40 pages
ages 4 to 8



The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the help of a loving community discovers the joys of his first snowy day.

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled.

But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!



GOODREADS / AMAZON / B&N / KOBO / BOOK DEPOSITORY



And it's in Spanish...


Translated by Alexis Romay

Book Blink

                                                   * beautiful illustrations
                                                   * seamlessly incorporates diverse living situations/cultures
                                                   * message of friendship and sharing
  

MY TIDBITS

A child's simple desire warms the heart, while snowy landscapes invite wintery dreams.

It has snowed, and Gabo wants to join the other children, who are sledding down a nearby hill. But he doesn't have water proof shoes or gloves. He does have a hat, but it's too small. While his mother might be able to solve these problems, a bigger one poses a tougher challenge. Gabo doesn't have a sled, and he has no idea how to approach the children and make new friends, either.

This is such a lovely book. Firstly, the illustrations make the wintery landscape chill from the pages, while making readers wish that they could join in on the snowy fun too. The watercolors create a realistic world with many details, while still allowing the artistic beauty to come through. It's fun just to flip through the pages and learn all about Gabo, his daily surroundings, and the town.

The story is written in a way young readers can identify with and easily understand. Gabo's concerns reflect that of many kids as he searches for fitting snow clothes but finds he doesn't have any. The mother's solutions are practical (I've done some of them myself over the years), and he meets many other kind souls. The ideas of sharing and friendship sweep in naturally, and the ending leaves off with a sense of happiness. I can see listeners enjoying hearing this one again and again.

And here they are...

The Author
Emma Otheguy is the author of the bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom about Cuban poet and national hero José Martí, as well as the middle grade novel Silver Meadows Summer and the picture book A Sled for Gabo.

The Illustrator
Ana Ramírez González worked as a visual development artist on Pixar’s Academy Award–winning film Coco and illustrated the companion picture book Coco: Miguel and the Grand Harmony. She grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico, and lives in Oakland, California. Ana is also the illustrator of the picture books Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea, Maybe Tomorrow? and A Sled for Gabo.

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