Author Joe Hayes and artist Esau Andrade team up to deliver a knockout picture book about siblings. Two sisters secretly try to outdo each other with generosity. Each new gift from one sister to the other—a secret to everybody but their mother—will have readers crying out, "Don't say a word, Mama!" Until, of course, she does.
"A sweet family tale that never turns saccharine…Esau Andrade Valencia contributes highly saturated paintings that combine a folk aesthetic with magical realism…This book overflows with affection—and you can never have too much of that."
Hayes balances humor with sentiment, and abundance with a concern for privation in a way that imbues the notion of harvest with a sense of real value … Perfect for readers of either language, or for language learners.
- Sarah Harrison Smith, September 25, 2013 Visit Website
"A funny, affectionate tale of two sisters who let their mother in on their secret gift-giving missio … This bilingual tale of sisterly generosity by master storyteller Joe Hayes (Ghost Fever) brims with humor and love, while Esau Andrade Valencia's Mexican folk art matches the siblings' affection and playfulness … Author and artist celebrate family and abundance in a story that will be a favorite read-aloud at harvest time or anytime."
"[Valencia's] brush presents tomatoes so tantalizing, corn so sweet, and chiles so peppery, as to make the taste buds salivate from memories of a perfect Sinaloan posole! Join Hayes and Valencia for this delicious fare that’s both nourishing for the grumbling belly … and the hungry soul."
Children will enjoy the back and forth and will laugh at Mamá’s predicament … Culturally relevant in its depiction of Latina characters, the book makes an excellent read-aloud to a broad audience. Hayes’s many fans will enjoy this story as will those looking for tales about families and goodwill among siblings.
- Maricela Leon-Barrera, San Francisco Public Library, October 1, 2013
"A lushly illuminated bilingual original tale with a precious moral for all times, the value of sisters sharing of carefully harvested garden bounty and love … a beautiful tale of sharing plenty that is exactly what the notion of thanksgiving is about."
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