Monica Arnaldo

Apint-size interpreter reaches a boiling point.

Life’s busy enough for young Cecilia, who has two full-time jobs: being a kid and interpreting for her Spanish-speaking parents. At any moment, they might request her services in “all kinds of grown-up places.” Donning a rather sharp green power suit, Cecilia translates during a doctor’s appointment, reshares instructions given by a disgruntled DMV employee, and ensures the perfect haircut at the salon. But all this work leaves her with show more no time to play soccer with her friends. So when a kind teacher inquires how she’s doing during a parent-teacher conference, Cecilia decides to unload and to ask her parents for support, depicted in a stunning double-page outburst in both Spanish and English (both languages are featured throughout the text). In her picture-book debut, Abtahi masterfully weaves an everyday tale that will be familiar to designated translators of all ages from immigrant families. Cecilia’s eventual cry for help speaks to the resilience that children in similar situations possess while also emphasizing the importance of self-care. Arnaldo’s bright watercolor and pencil-crayon artwork provides much-needed levity, with speech bubbles predominantly colored in blue and orange to differentiate between the languages. While Cecilia and her family are cued Latine, secondary characters offer broad cultural diversity. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish.

Sensationally true to life. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

Thanksgiving weekend family picture book read-aloud fun! (Book 3 of 13.)

Ignorant of the drama unfolding outside their classroom window on their first day of school, the young students of room 2B make some unusual leaps in logic when their teacher appears to be absent . . . or perhaps has a most unusual appearance . . .

The ending is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

First sentence: The kids in room 2B could tell something was wrong. Even though it was their very first time at school, they had the sense that something was missing. "Where's the teacher?" someone whispered. "Shouldn't they be here by now?" asked someone else.

Premise/plot: A kindergarten class is puzzled by their teacher--or lack of teacher. Where a teacher should be sitting there is only a SANDWICH. On the board is written a name: Mr. S. Could this sandwich be their actual teacher?

The show more text only tells HALF the story. The illustrations reveal quite the commotion out the window, outside the school. As the school day progresses, so does the drama. Will the students ever have an answer to their question?

My thoughts: This one is super silly, over-the-top ridiculous, absurd, odd. This could be a GREAT thing in the book's favor. There's something to be said for pure nonsense. Of course, not every reader will find pure nonsense hilarious and appealing. Some will.

I didn't love this one. I can see how it might prove very funny as a read aloud. I think some readers will find the humor actually funny. show less

Bed wants a story read to him in this sweet, little children's book.

A child's bed is personified in this tale and let's his owner know all of his thoughts! Bed feels left out and sad because nobody likes going to bed! He talks back to the kid and let's him know his real feelings.

This is quite the comedy book. It's amusing if you read it in just the right tone. I appreciated it as an adult and I can easily see children giggling along to this story.

I did wish the ending had a bit more... show more umph. It felt lacking. There was no big funny ending or lesson learned. It just felt like a goofy gimmick. I still think kids will love it for it's comedy, but it fell a little flat for me.

The art style is funky, bright and colourful. It fits the sassiness of this fun story very well!

Two out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. show less