La casita de esperanza
Written by Terry Catasús Jennings
Illustrated by Raúl Colón
Published by Holiday House
When Esperanza and her family arrive in the United States from Cuba, they buy a little house, una casita. It may be small, but they soon prove that there’s room enough to share with a whole community.
“It was a little house. Una casita . . .
It was small.
It smelled like old wet socks. . .
But even though they were far from home,
The family was together.”
As Esperanza and her family settle into their new house, they all do their part to make it a home, working multiple jobs and doing chores to pitch in. When Mami’s sister Conchita comes to stay with them, she helps other families by taking care of their children during the day. Together they turn the house into a place where other new immigrants can help one another and feel accepted.
Esperanza is always the first to welcome them, making sure that la casita offers a home for those who don’t have a place to go. It’s a safe place in a new land.
Look for the English edition, The Little House of Hope.
Primary ISBN: 9780823452033
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 4 or older
Community Represented: Cuban/Cuban American, Mexican/Mexican American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Educator Resource, Engagement Tool: Discussion, Engagement Tool: I'm Your Neighbor Books Created, Engagement Tool: Video, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Separation: By Detention, Multilingual Character, Non-English Book: Spanish, Recommended: Las Musas, Refugee: Persecution, Welcoming by Individual, Welcoming Library: Core Picture Books (Current)
Setting: United States (Florida)
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experiance
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Engagement Materials
EXPLORE Discussion Questions (SEL, Social Studies)
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books
COOK with Author’s Family (Arts)
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BUDGET for the Little House of Hope (Math)
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DOWNLOAD the Educator’s Guide
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