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“Engaging… Readers—bilingual or not—will likely enjoy this emotionally satisfying family story.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Full of child appeal, Garcia’s painted clay, claymation-style illustrations are unusual and entertaining. Sensitively told and true to the experience of many Mexican Americans, this bilingual picture book bridges the borders that separate all families who must live far apart from their loved ones.”

—Booklist

“Parallel columns of text tell the story in English and in Spanish, accompanied by innovative illustrations, originally modeled with clay, then painted with acrylics and photographed. Reminiscent of Mexican folk art, they fit the story especially well, conveying its warmth and poignancy.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Garcia’s expressive clay illustrations painted with acrylics bring life to the characters in this Mexican-American family, and iconic designs on the text pages playfully reflect elements of the touching story.”

—The Horn Book

A Gift from Papá Diego / Un Regalo de Papá Diego

Written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Illustrated by Gerónimo Garcia
Published by Cinco Puntos Press

Little Diego doesn’t get to see his grandfather nearly as much as he’d like. He lives in Texas and his Papá Diego lives in Mexico across the border. One day Little Diego’s father gives him a pile of superhero comic books that he had growing up. In those comic books, Little Diego find a way to see his Papá Diego more often. Maybe if he was like the magical superhero, then he could fly off to see his grandfather in Mexico! So Little Diego tells his mother that he wants the superhero’s costume for his birthday. His parents buy him one, but, of course, Little Diego cannot fly. He’s heart-broken. Still, because he had the daring to imagine, a wonderful event occurs and he enjoys a magical birthday anyway.

Each illustration in Papá Diego was built out of terra cotta clay and painted with acrylic paints. This gives the illustrations a 3 dimensional quality which kids will love!

Dieguito no ve a su abuelo tanto como le gustaría. Él vive en Texas y su Papá Diego vive en México al otro lado de la frontera. Un día, el padre de Dieguito le da una pila de cómics de superhéroes que tenía cuando era niño. En esos cómics, el pequeño Diego encuentra la manera de ver a su Papá Diego más. ¡Tal vez si fuera como el superhéroe mágico, podría volar a México para ver a su abuelo! Así que Dieguito le dice a su madre que quiere el disfraz del superhéroe para su cumpleaños. Sus padres le compran uno, pero, por supuesto, Dieguito no puede volar. Tiene el corazón roto. Aún así, ya que tubo la osadía de imaginar, ocurre un evento maravilloso y disfruta un cumpleaños mágico de todas maneras.

Cada ilustración de Papá Diego se construyó de terracota y se pintó con pinturas acrílicas. ¡Esto le da a las ilustraciones una calidad tridimensional les encantará a los pequeños!

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: August 2022
Available As: Paperback
Picture Book, Age 05 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Texas)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Source: Lee & Low Books