Grandma Fina and Her Wonderful Umbrellas: La Abuelita Fina Y Sus Sombrillas Maravillosas

For the second time, noted Mexican-American novelist and poet Saenz turns his hand to the picture book. Grandma Fina likes to walk through her neighborhood carrying her old umbrella [or parasol, if you prefer] to keep her cool during the hot days. As she greets her friends and relatives on her walk, they all notice how tattered the umbrella is, and each decides-- individually-- to give her a new one for her birthday. And so she receives 9 new umbrellas, which she cheerfully shares with her friends at the retirement center. The repetitive nature of her greetings and the thoughts of her neighbors about her umbrella will please young readers or listeners, who will be able to predict what will happen next or even to join in with the conversation. The illustrations are bright and cheery. Spanish phrases are worked seamlessly into the English text [just as Spanish and English flow together in the American Southwest], and a complete Spanish version of the story is provided as well-- the English is printed in black, the Spanish in green. Charming and sweet, "Grandma Fina" is sure to please.