Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson. PICTURE BOOK. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Young Readers Group), 2018. $18. 9780399549045
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
On Carmela’s birthday, she is finally old enough to go with her brother to run errands. The two of them travel past the fields where men work and to the laundromat where Carmela spots a dandelion. Carmela imagines wishing for candy, a rest for her mom who cleans hotels, and her dad getting his papers so he can come home, but when she trips on the sidewalk all the buds of the dandelion fall off. Carmela’s brother then takes her to the oceanside where there is a field of wishes.
This is a cute story that alludes to a life of uncertainty that many young readers will be able to identify with. It is so empowering to be able to see your own story in the pages of a book, and the poor are so often underrepresented in picture books. It is also compassion building for kids with more opportunities to see that other children live with much less and find joy.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
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