Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela!

by Alexandra Alessandri, Addy Rivera Sonda (Illustrator)

Overview

Ava Gabriela is visiting her extended family in Colombia for the holidays. She's excited to take part in family traditions such as making bunuelos, but being around all her loud relatives in an unfamiliar place makes Ava shy and quiet. How will Ava find her voice before she misses out on all the New Year's fun?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807504505
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	497,567
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alexandra Alessandri is a Colombian American poet, children's author, and professor at Broward College. Her work has appeared in The Acentos Review, Rio Grande Review, Atlanta Review, and YARN. Alexandra lives in Florida.

Addy Rivera Sonda was born and raised in the south of Mexico. She's loved creating characters since she was a little girl—drawing was her magic power! Addy currently lives in California.

Editorial Reviews

STARRED REVIEW! "This gentle family story lets readers know that shyness is nothing to worry about."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"The book's vibrant colors reflect the story’s celebratory mood."—Booklist

"A story about overcoming shyness in a unique storybook setting, recommended."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2020

K-Gr 3—When soft-spoken Ava Gabriela goes to visit her extended family in the countryside of Colombia, she wants to join in on the traditional New Year's festivities, but is held back by shyness. She longs to play with her cousins, but her words feel stuck. Still, she finds small ways to express herself, especially one-on-one with certain relatives who are more understanding than others. This warm #OwnVoices look at Colombian traditions, including wearing yellow underwear and eating grapes for good luck, is both universal and deeply personal. An author's note explains that these are just some of the country's many traditions, and that each family may celebrate differently; here they create and destroy an effigy of the "Año Viejo" (old year). A glossary defines the Spanish words in the text, although the use of both Spanish and English in the story always provides clear context for monolingual readers. Sonda's charming illustrations portray an idyllic finca, complete with a small clay-tiled house surrounded by cacti. Ava looks 5 or 6 years old, and has dark brown hair and light skin. The language is just as atmospheric. With ample similes and metaphors, Alessandri creates a character who is not defined by her shyness. She feels like a "little mouse," but Ava understands this is not how she wants to be. She is able to enjoy the celebration once her "voice [grows] wings." VERDICT A story about overcoming shyness in a unique storybook setting, recommended for purchase.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge P.L., MA

School Library Journal

★ 2020-08-18
It’s New Year’s Eve at Abuelita’s finca, and Ava struggles to overcome her shyness.

Ava is excited to cook and play with her cousins and to join in family fun on the farm during her visit. Every time she wants to speak up, though, she finds that it’s much harder than she thinks it should be. Ava’s mamá reassures her that “There’s nothing wrong with being shy. When you’re ready, your voice will come out and play,” which gives Ava the confidence she needs to slowly come out of her shell. Colombian New Year’s traditions, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight for 12 months of good luck, are woven into the story for an added holiday experience. Delicious Colombian foods are depicted in joyful illustrations that add even more cultural details. The story’s seamless incorporation of Spanish idioms and phrases lets Spanish-speaking readers hear themselves on the pages and provides support for those interested in learning more. Shyness isn’t portrayed as a negative trait, and Ava is given the space by her family members to find her voice on her own terms. Ava and her family are depicted with shades of brown skin and hair.

This gentle family story lets readers know that shyness is nothing to worry about. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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