Nana and Abuela

by Monica Rojas, Emiko Rainbow (Illustrator)

Overview

As Luna and her grandmothers embark on a fun evening of food and stories and laughter, a language kerfuffle threatens to spoil their time together.

Luna lives with her two grown-ups in a small home next to a river. She has "two pets, two pillows on her bed, and two languages in her head."

Luna also has two grandmothers: Nana and Abuela. They are her two favorite people, and they are very different from each other. When her grown-ups are away, Nana and Abuela visit for a "date night" with Luna. Together they plan a delicious meal: pizza with olives.

But when Luna adds something to the menu, she blends her Spanish and her English. Her request for this special treat confuses her grandmothers. They ask, "¿Luna, qué dijiste?" and "Luna, what are you saying?" As the three of them work together to understand each other, Abuela and Nana offer comfort, each in their own way, and Luna figures out how to make herself heard.

In Nana and Abuela, Monica Rojas recounts a story from her own childhood, while Emiko Rainbow's playful artistry brings Luna's world to vibrant life. This bilingual story about love and listening celebrates relationships and communication—and what young and old alike can learn from spending time with our favorite people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681342542
Publisher:	Minnesota Historical Society Press
Publication date:	03/07/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Monica Rojas has lived on both sides of the Mississippi River, but she currently lives in Minneapolis with her wife and two kiddos. She can often be found stoop-sitting and befriending local librarians. This is her first picture book.

Emiko Rainbow is a Japanese American illustrator. She was called to the arts at a young age, and she followed her creative passions that led to an illustration BFA. She runs a successful and multifaceted freelance business creating art celebrating authenticity and diversity. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Read an Excerpt

Tonight Luna’s grown-ups have a date night. Papi fluffs his bow tie. Mama hums as she finds the round lapis earrings that match her blue dress perfectly. Tonight Luna has her own date night with her two favorite people.

Nana arrives first. She always says, “Being early is being on time.”

Luna’s grown-ups slide on their sandals. They tell Nana, “We left Luna’s word list on the fridge.” Nana scoffs, “I don’t need any help understanding my own granddaughter.”

Luna gets two hugs, two kisses, and two reminders to do her best listening. Luna waves goodbye with two hands, blows two kisses, and shouts, “Boodas niches!” two times.

As Luna’s grown-ups walk out the door, Abuela dances in. Did she hear something about a word list on the fridge? “I’ll figure it out luego,” Abuela says as she twirls into the house.

Editorial Reviews

"This sweet story, visualized through a warm palette and lots of movement, explores the experience of growing up multilingual and sharing love for grandparents of different heritages."
Booklist

"Monica Rojas' debut children's book is fun and funny (Luna's favorite food is "meche batana," Luna-language for "banana milkshake"). The pencil and digital paintings by Emiko Rainbow are done in cheerful turquoise, red, and yellow, decorated with flowered borders that resemble rosemaling. A glorious medley of cultures, just like Luna's vocabulary."
Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune

From the Publisher