"A poignant story about the celebration of family."
—TEACHING TOLERANCE, Spring 2006
"In its bilingual format, this book crosses cultural, language, and
generational lines. Families come in many forms, the book demonstrates,
and openness to the range of human interaction is vital. Long gone are
the days when the only kind of family was the kind with a mom, a dad,
and a kid or two or three. Today's families are more diverse and complicated
in their make-up, and González depicts this reality with subtlety and
insightfulness."
—FOREWORD MAGAZINE
"While homosexual partners are the subtext of the story, the focus is not sexuality but individual difference...Possibly a first of its kind and a worthy leader."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Sensitively written in English, with an excellent translation by Jorge
Argueta, the narrative captures the social worries and concerns that
children in nontraditional families may experience. The acrylic illustrations
are bright and colorful. . .this story deals brilliantly with issues
of inclusion."
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"This wonderfully crafted story depicts a familiar dilemma for many
children as life at home and life at school are often at odds. The author
writes a story that invites tolerance and appreciation for difference
while celebrating what is also common to everyone, the need for love,
family, and acceptance. The illustrations are pleasant and expressive,
reminiscent of the portrait work of painter Alice Neel."
—CHILDREN'S LITERATURE NEWSLETTER
"Author Rigoberto González sensitively portrays Antonio's discomfort
with the kids' reaction to Leslie, and offers sage advice in the person
of Mami, who reminds Antonio, 'We're all a little different from each
other. That's what makes each one of us an individual.' Although Mami
and Leslie are a gay couple, the story is also that of a multicultural
and bilingual household. It's told in full in English and in Spanish,
making it useful for bilingual readers or those learning either language.
Cecilia Concepción Álvarez's colorful illustrations, with their folk-art
sensibility, nicely complement the text."
—ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
"With compassion, author Rigoberto González explores the boy's mixed feelings. . . Through bright acrylic pictures, Cecilia Concepción Álvarez helps bring to affectionate life an alternative family with a good-hearted boy at the center."
—WASHINGTON PARENT
Other Books by Rigoberto Gonzalez