Gift Guide -- Children's Book for Colombian/American Families

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My kids don't just have a grandma and grandpa, they also have an abuelito and abuelita. Neither set of grandparents live nearby, but because it is easier and cheaper to visit the grandparents, we do it more often. They also visit us. Whereas some nincompoop at the US Embassy twice denied abuelitas visa to come and visit us. (Do not get me started on Immigration!!!) She decided not to "waste more money on that" and allowed her passport to expire. The likelihood is that we will never see her here on American soil.

Anyway, if you find yourself in a similar situation, you might enjoy reading the following book to your little one.


In the book, we discover that Liliana's Grandmothers are very different. One lives in New England, the other lives in a South American country. (Just a reminder here that the author, Leyla Torres, is from Colombia. "Hmmm... I wonder which country she could be referring to?")

Though a trip to either grandparent's house is different (food, lanaguage, etc), both provide the girl with enjoyment and love.

I have read the book to both of my children. Each time it was prior to our trip to visit the Abuelitos in Colombia, when the boys were both about five years old. Both times the boys didn't like the fact that the main character was a girl (no room for princesses in their man cave). However, it did serve as a great way to talk about the concept of our family being here and there. I would recommend it to any Colombian/American family like ours.

Comments

Leyla Torres said…
Hi,

Thank you for recommending my book here.

Yes, being from Colombia, this country was indeed my reference when I wrote and illustrated Liliana's Grandmothers.

I don't have children myself, but I was imagining what would be like if I had one.

I do have a niece (12-years-old now) who was born and lives in The Netherlands, and she indeed has two sets of grandparents (Opa and Oma/ abuelo and abuela) in two different places of the planet.

I'm proud that she is bilingual, fluent in both Dutch and Spanish and now she is learning English as well.

It would be very enriching for adopted children from Colombia if they could learn the language as well. I know it might not be as easy if the parents don't speak Spanish but any effort in that direction would be positive.

For your information, there is a version in Spanish of Liliana's Grandmothers (Las abuelas de Liliana) and some of my other books also showcase Colombian culture.

Thank you again for featuring my work here.

Best wishes!

Leyla Torres
December 1, 2010 at 8:53 AM
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