Rafa and the Wrong Legs

by Angie Lucas, Ana Sanfelippo (Illustrator)

Overview

Rafael is finally old enough to visit the supermarket without having to ride in the shopping cart. He promises Mama he will stay by her side, and for a while, he does . . . especially when tasting samples from the Cookie Man. But after a bouncing berry lures him away, Rafa wanders into a sea of unfamiliar legs. Will he ever find his way back to Mama?

Rafa and the Wrong Legs is a sweet, clever, and wise story that every parent and curious child will recognize as their own. A special Q&A at the end contains expert advice about what to do should your own little Rafa ramble off in a public place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781958325223
Publisher:	Marble Press
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

ANGIE LUCAS (www.angielucas.com) writes little stories about big childhood challenges—from navigating embarrassment and grief to getting lost in a grocery store. Having hugged the wrong legs at Peterson’s Market, circa 1981, Angie understands the anguish of being lost and the joy of being reunited with the right legs once again. And as an adult, she’s been the “wrong legs” to a wandering child more than once. Angie lives with her precious patchwork family near Salt Lake City, Utah. Her favorite cookie is the snickerdoodle.

ANA SANFELIPPO (www.anasanfelippo.com) is an artist and graphic designer from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is the illustrator of the IBBY-honored Perfect Project: A Book about Autism, selected as an “Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities.” Among other accolades, her illustrated collection of pottery received a “Good Design Seal” from Buenos Aires’ Metropolitan Design Center. Her vibrant art combines many by-hand techniques and has exhibited in Argentina, Slovakia, England, Canada, and Spain.

Editorial Reviews

2024-07-04
A young child gets temporarily lost.

Rafa and Mama are shopping in a supermarket. “Big boy” Rafa can’t fit in the cart, so Mama tells him to stick close by. Rafa dutifully holds on to the cart as Mama navigates the aisles. In the bakery, the Cookie Man offers samples; Rafa tries several before stuffing one in his pocket. He and Mama move on to the produce section, where Rafa clings to her leg. A strawberry bounces to the floor; Rafa follows its trajectory, attempting to catch it. When he does, he triumphantly tries to show it to Mama—except the legs beside him aren’t hers! Rafa runs through the store, past many legs—none of them Mama’s. Finally, he sits, tearfully, and pulls a cookie from his pocket—then hears a loudspeaker announcement from the bakery. This gives him the bright idea to head that way—past numerous legs—back to the Cookie Man, who calls Mama. A joyful reunion ensues. This to-the-point cautionary tale is one that children must heed and learn from and a scenario that caregivers and kids should discuss together. Youngsters who have been in Rafa’s shoes may find it tense—and will be relieved at the outcome. Adopting a child’s-eye view of the world in many scenes, the colorful illustrations brim with kid appeal. Rafa and Mama are light-skinned; background characters are diverse.

Highlights a real-life situation that children and their grown-ups should talk about and be prepared to avert. (strategies for grown-ups to share with children)(Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews