Dinner on Domingos

by Alexandra Katona, Claudia Navarro (Illustrator)

Overview

“Drawing upon her own childhood experiences, Katona offers a warm story of family, food, and fun . . . A wonderful celebration of culture and family, idea for storytime or classroom reading” – Booklist

"This magical home turns a normal Sunday into domingo: the best day of the week.” Warm memories wash over a first-generation Latinx American girl as she experiences a typical Sunday night dinner at her Abuelita’s house. Readers are immersed in the rich ways love is expressed within this home: the delicious smells of Ecuadorian home cooking, dancing, hugging and playing games with aunts, uncles and cousins. As Alejandra thinks about all the good times her family has had there, she decides that she wants to be brave and try speaking Spanish with Abuelita so that they can deepen their bond. Based on the author’s own life, this timely tale reflects the experience of many families.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646862948
Publisher:	Barefoot Books
Publication date:	10/29/2021
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.75(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alexandra Katona has been writing stories since she was young. When she's not writing, you can find her on an outdoor adventure, cooking for her family, or working in the specialty coffee industry. She lives with her husband, son, and dog in Southern California.

Claudia Navarro studied at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas UNAM in Mexico City, and has illustrated for clients around the world. She lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

Editorial Reviews

Navarro’s joyful illustrations are filled with movement and bright, happy colors, capturing the boisterous reunions in an accessible and humorous way . . . An ebullient celebration of family and the rituals that bring a family together” – Kirkus Reviews

“Drawing upon her own childhood experiences, Katona offers a warm story of family, food, and fun . . . A wonderful celebration of culture and family, idea for storytime or classroom reading” – Booklist

From the Publisher

2021-07-14
In this story inspired by her own childhood, debut author Katona recalls Sunday dinners at her grandmother’s house.

Every Sunday, narrator Alejandra heads to Abuelita’s house for dinner with her extended family. The house fills up with her tíos and tías, primos and primas; the dogs bark, the scent of food is everywhere, and the pots clatter in the kitchen. Abuelita’s house is in Michigan, but her kitchen “is painted bright cornflower blue.” It reminds Abuelita of the Ecuadorean sky. Reflecting the feelings of many a child of immigrants, Alejandra speaks but a few words of her parents’ native language—in this case, Spanish—but wishes she spoke more. Food and family, centered on Abuelita’s home and cooking, erase those language barriers. These Sunday reunions aren’t limited to food—though Abuelita’s potato soup, locro, is a favorite. There is also talking and joking and games and singing and dancing, all the elements that create family bonds and memories. Navarro’s joyful illustrations are filled with movement and bright, happy colors, capturing the boisterous reunions in an accessible and humorous way. The family members have dark hair and pale or olive skin. The book includes an author’s note, a glossary of the Spanish words used, and the recipe for Abuelita’s locro. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An ebullient celebration of family and the rituals that bring a family together. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews