Antonio, who loves to read and play spelling games, lives in a loving household with his mother and her female partner Leslie. Every day after school, Leslie comes to pick up Antonio, then the two of them sit under a leafy tree near school and read together. Leslie is an artist who is very tall, has short-cropped hair, and wears paint-splattered clothes. One day, other children at Antonio's school make fun of Leslie's unusual appearance. Antonio cherishes his afternoons with Leslie, and he is hurt by the children's comments. Soon after, Antonio and his classmates prepare for Mother's Day by making special cards for the important women in their lives. Antonio makes a card for both his mother and her companion. But when Antonio learns that his card will be displayed in the school cafeteria, he is afraid of what his classmates might say. Faced with the difficult choice of whether to show Leslie the card and risk embarrassment or not take her to see the display, Antonio comes to realize that there is no shame in having a family that is a little different: What makes Leslie and his family different is what makes them special.

Award-winning author Rigoberto González has crafted a gentle, courageous, and hopeful story that honors all families. The delicate paintings by fine artist and first-time children's book illustrator Cecilia Concepción Álvarez enhance the story with their loving detail.

While Antonio's Card / La tarjeta de Antonio focuses on the experiences of a young boy, his mother, and her female partner, the issues it addresses—family, self-image, acceptance, and the power of words—are universal. You will want to take into account the diversity of families in your classroom and the emotional development of your students when discussing ideas that this book will inspire. Be sure to lead the activities surrounding the book in a manner that is sensitive to the needs and emotions of your students, and that demonstrates respect for people from diverse family backgrounds and with different sexual orientations. Remember that some students may be uncomfortable revealing information about their families, so be sure all students understand that sharing is voluntary.

Lesbian-Gay; Mexican American

Diverse Families:
diverse family structures (what makes a family); caregiver-child relationships (parents, stepparents, guardians, adoptive parents, foster parents, and so on)

The Individual and Society:
self-image; peer pressure; conformity; acceptance of self and others; empathy

Expressing Feelings:
the power of words; unspoken messages; art as a means of expression

	Rigoberto González was born in Bakersfield, California, and raised in Michoacán, México. The son and grandson of migrant farm workers, he is an award-winning writer of poetry and fiction. Since completing his third university degree, he has worked mostly in New York and primarily with children and young adults as a dance instructor, day care provider, literacy specialist, and creative writing teacher. Rigoberto's first children's book, Soledad Sigh-Sighs / Soledad Suspiros, was published by Children's Book Press in 2003. He has served as a visiting professor at the University of Toledo, Ohio, during the 2004-2005 academic year.
	Cecilia Concepción Álvarez is a gifted fine artist. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and featured in a range of publications. During the past decade, she has focused her creative energies on works of public art. Primarily a painter, Cecilia has also worked extensively with young people. She lives and works in Seattle, Washington, with her husband; they have two young adult children. Antonio's Card / La tarjeta de Antonio is her first book for children.

Our thanks to the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund for its support in the production of this Teacher's Guide.