Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music

by Michael Genhart, Priscilla Burris (Illustrator)

Overview

Finalist in the International Latino Book Awards

When both grandpas, Abuelo and Opa, visit at the same time, they can't understand each other's language, and there is a lot of silence. The grandson's clever thinking helps find a way for everyone to share the day together as two cultures become one family. This unique book includes a bonus fold-out and a note from the author sharing the true story of his own family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433830747
Publisher:	Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Publication date:	04/21/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michael Genhart, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco and Mill Valley, California. He lives with his family in Marin County.

Priscilla Burris is an author-illustrator and a member of the board of advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Priscilla is represented by the CAT Agency, Inc.

Editorial Reviews

Genhart’s story is pure joy…. his is a very clever idea for a book, as we all have bits of different cultures in our history.  And there are many of us who have chosen to create bicultural and multiracial families through adoption.  This book will have a far-reaching appeal to many families. It is such an uplifting and feel-good story.

Children's Books Heal

Genhart pulls from his own childhood growing up in bicultural family in this cheery picture book, which tells of a young boy and how the accordion brought his family together…. Music is the universal language…. Great for reading aloud and featuring bright, energetic illustrations, this endearing story supports diversity and multicultural inclusion.” —Booklist

Booklist

2020-02-09
Genhart draws on his own family’s history for inspiration in his newest diversity-celebrating picture book.

Abuelo plays accordion in a mariachi band where he “hoots and hollers” louder than anyone. Opa plays accordion in a polka band where his yodels can “[make] the windows shake.” But when Abuelo and Opa get together at their grandchild’s home, the Mexican-German cultural divide seems a chasm too wide to span. Though both are perfectly polite, an uncomfortable silence begins to settle—until the empathetic protagonist encourages them both to get out their accordions. Through their shared love of music, harmony is soon restored and a bridge built between two cultures. This is a reassuring story, emphasizing that though we may be different we can find common ground, an especially important message for multiracial/multiethnic children who can often feel pulled between competing identities. Burris’ dot-eyed and brightly colored illustrations are darling, highlighting each culture well. The narrator has light-brown skin and dark hair; Abuelo’s side of the family has brown skin and Opa’s, white. As mixed-race families continue to grow, this title is sure to find a ready audience. Notes from both author and illustrator celebrate their own multiethnic backgrounds, which contributed to the story.

A warm musical celebration of multicultural families . (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews