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1. Still Dreaming / seguimos soñando by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez with illustrations by Magdalena Mora

Summary: “Faced with the prospect of being separated from each other, a young boy and his family make the difficult decision to leave their home and begin a journey filled with uncertainty. On the road, they meet other people like them. Families with deep roots tied to the land. Others that helped build the railroads. Some were shop owners and factory workers. Each with similar hopes and dreams.

Historians estimate that between 1930 and 1940, two million people living in the United States were forcibly removed and sent to live in Mexico. Telling this story from a child’s perspective, award-winning author Claudia Guadalupe Martínez lyrically recounts this often-overlooked period of United States history–Mexican Repatriation. Emotive illustrations by Magdalena Mora convey this poignant tale of longing for home and permanence, which reflects many of the dreams and hopes of people today.”

Review: Claudia Guadalupe Martínez’ books are always filled with such tenderness and Still Dreaming (2022) is no exception. A young Mexican boy and his family must leave their home in the United States for fear of separation because of mass deportations during Mexican Repatriation. On their journey back to Mexico, the young boy meets other people who’ve worked across the country and are now being displaced by the US government. These encounters are a reminder of the ways migrants are a crucial part of the US’ labor infrastructure. Furthermore, Still Dreaming is a reminder that the poor treatment of migrant workers is still happening today. Martínez tells a difficult part of US/Mexico history with careful attention to the reality of that moment while also centering the young boy’s joy and love. Magdalena Mora’s illustrations are a beautiful companion to Martínez’ story. The softness of the illustrations match the tenderness this family has for one another. The monarch butterflies are a strong symbol of migration and their presence in the illustrations remind that migration is not just about survival but also about dreaming. Martínez and Mora present a beautiful story about holding on to dreams and the people around you in the face of difficult and unjust situations.

2. Anita and the Dragons by Hannah Carmona with illustrations by Anna Cunha

Summary: “A beautifully tender story touching on the range of emotions immigrants may feel when leaving their home countries – excitement and sorrow, fear and courage. Anita watches the dragons high above her as she hops from one cement roof to another in her village in the Dominican Republic. But being the valiant princesa she is, she never lets them scare her. Will she be brave enough to enter the belly of the beast and take flight to new adventures?” 

Review: Hannah Carmona highlights the beautiful and innocent imagination of a child in Anita and the Dragons (2021). Anita and her family are leaving the Dominican Republic and Anita sees the plane they need to take to get to the United States as a dragon she can conquer. Anita’s imagination for princesas and dragons is a great way to discuss themes of fear and courage–especially in relationship to migration and the need to leave one’s home for another. Anita brilliantly approaches the fear of leaving everything she knows by reminding herself that she is a strong princesa with the courage to meet dragons face to face. Anita’s bravery is contagious and readers will be left feeling just as valiant as her. Anna Cunha’s illustrations are gorgeous. Cunha’s art centers Black joy in Anita’s world. While Anita and her family are migrating for a bigger palace, Anita’s village in the Dominican Republic is still depicted as positive and loving–an important reminder to readers that migration isn’t as simple as leaving a “bad” place for a “good” place. Carmona and Cunha have created a delightful story about immigration that encourages children to use their imagination as a tool for empowerment.

3. With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez with illustrations by André Ceolin

Summary: “Rocio has grown up in Central America, but now she and her family are moving to the United States. Rocio does her best to adjust to a new way of living, but there are many things she misses from her old life—Abuela’s cooking, Abuela’s piñata creations, Abuela’s warm hugs, and of course, Abuela herself most of all. But Abuela finds a way to send Rocio something special just in time for her birthday—a gift wrapped with lots of love—and that fills Rocio to the brim.”

Review: Rocio has recently migrated to the United States and she’s sad and homesick for her abuela in Central America. Jenny Torres Sanchez’s With Lots of Love (2022) is a sweet story that reminds readers that it’s alright to miss people, smells, foods, and memories that are left behind when one migrates. This story is also about the amazing ways in which transnational families stay connected to each other and their culture. For most of the story, Rocio is nostalgic for home in Central America and regrets not bringing one of abuela’s star piñatas with her. On her birthday, Rocio receives a box with a letter, a picture, homemade tortillas, and a bright star piñata! The piñata is a symbol that reminds Rocio that she is connected to her abuela and to Central America regardless of where she lives. André Ceolin’s illustrations are wonderful. There’s a contrast in color between where Rocio is and where her abuela is but are then brought together to remind the reader that Rocio and her abuela are not far away. There’s plenty of scenes of joy and love depicted in this story that feel motivating and tender. Torres Sanchez and Ceolin bring lots of emotion to the page that leave the reader in a warm and happy place.

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