Abuelito Eats with His Fingers

I was looking for a book for my granddaughter and found this story to be very touching. The story tells of the relationship between a grandfather and a very young granddaughter that emerges as the story unfolds. This story will warm your heart as you see the love unfolding between the two of them.The artwork tells the story so well and truly brings the story to life.

This charming picture book is about a young girl who hates to visit her grandpa. But one day, when her mother leaves her with him, the girl learns that her grandpa can make delicious tortillas and is quite an artist. This sweet book, filled with vibrant illustration would make a good read-aloud for any child.

According to Tina, her grandfather is different. Abuelito doesn't speak English, his hands are rough and gnarled from cutting sugar cane, and he doesn't drive. And horrors, he eats with his fingers. Later, Tina's attitude changes as she looks at old photographs of her dead grandmother. She finds that she and her grandfather share a talent for art. They make tortillas- from scratch- and eat them with their fingers. By day's end, they have started on a journey of friendship. Words and pictures are framed in a lovely design of seemingly old photograph-album pages with deckle edges. An interesting addition to intergenerational collections.

Everyone can relate to the little girl who doesn't like to visit her grandfather. "My grandfather ruins my day! I don't like to look at him. Water leaks out of his eyes." I followed with interest as the girl's curiosity leads her to get to know the real Abuelito. "Abuelito gave me a necklace and the santos switched places and I can count in Spanish and guess what? Abuelito eats with his fingers and so do I." The story is warm and caring; the pictures are lovely and realistically portray the range of emotions the girl and her grandfather go through. A good book for teachers to keep in their classroom libraries. I plan on giving it as a gift.

janice levy's words made me laugh and cry as I thought of my own relationship with my grandfather when I was a child. She perfectly captures the ambivalant feelings of not knowing your grandfather, of being uneasy and anxious, yet still being curious - just who is this guy who "cuts himself shaving and sticks little pieces of tissue all over his face" and "smells like green library soap or sometimes like fried bananas?" Read this book to your children and to your grandchildren. Expect to receive a hug and kiss when you've finished. Sit back and enjoy!