Mi papi tiene una moto/ My Papi Has a Motorcycle, author Isabel Quintero and illustrator Zeke Peña
I read the Spanish version of this book, the English version is My Papi Has a Motorcycle. This book was very nostalgic to me and brought me back to my childhood growing up near East Los Angeles. Like the author, I grew up in Southern California and was taken along for a father-daughter motorcycle ride through the various barrios where Daisy Ramona grew up. Every day after work as an abañil (construction worker) her father comes home and takes her on his motorcycle around their changing barrio. The book has a graphic novel or comic feel to it with the illustrations and onomatopoeia in Spanish. The illustrations brought to life what I saw in the various barrios in LA like the signs for carnicerias, panaderias, murals of Latinxs carrying the Mexican flag. I can still hear the honks of the paletero (ice cream man) and the elotero (corn man). The text is mostly in English with Spanish words and phrases peppered throughout the story.
Review by Samantha Geary, McMinnville Public Library
Talk about SoCal colors! The illustrations are saturated in the sunset glow of pinks, oranges, and magentas. Illustrator Zeke Peña successfully captures elements of southern California neighborhoods and families. This story features the real town of Corona, California and its unique circular street Grand Boulevard. “Here it is, all of our beautiful city!” Such pride the girl feels, riding on the backseat of her Papi’s motorcycle, taking in the scenery. Isabel Quintero wrote a love story between a father and daughter and a love story for one’s home. Raspadas, a panadería, citrus trees, nopales, the LA Dodgers hat the librarian wears—these are all rich elements to reflect Daisy's home. And to top it all off, she wears a pink unicorn helmet—something that any child can relate to.
Book Information
- Others can purchase this book via Ingram, Amazon, and major book retailers.
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 3
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Kokila (May 14, 2019)
- Language: Spanish
- ISBN-10: 0525554947
- ISBN-13: 978-0525554943
- Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.4 x 11.4 inches
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