Nana and Abuela - by Monica Rojas (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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, "ÅLuna, qéu 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." --Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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