Purchase to Support Our Program

“Living in the city, Mateo and Dad “look at each other, but we don’t really see each other.” Yet the young narrator hopes for a deeper relationship when the pair arrive in the Philippines…The gentle rhythm of the first-person narrative continues as Dad explains the tradition of bayanihan—“coming together as a community to help a fellow neighbor in need”—after the two help a group of people who are literally moving a house. …The alluring illustrations pair well with the uplifting message of building community—the image of Mateo, Dad, and their neighbors planting a garden together back home brings the tale to a warm conclusion. A tender tale of family, culture, and connection.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Riding Through Rice Fields: A Trip to the Philippines

Written by Michelle Sterling
Illustrated by Bianca Austria
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers

Mateo and his dad live lonely, disconnected lives in the city. Every night at dinner, they look at each other, but they don’t really see each other.

When they arrive in the Philippines for a family reunion, Mateo sees something in his dad’s eyes that he’s never seen before—adventure. Mateo and his dad embark on an epic bicycle trip to his father’s childhood home, and along the way, they catch fish in a turquoise river, pick coconuts from a tall tree, and ride through one glorious rice field after another.

While Mateo learns more about this side of his father that he never knew, he also learns about bayanihan—people in the community coming together to help someone in need. When the trip comes to an end, it’s difficult to say goodbye, but not only do Mateo and his dad bring home a stronger relationship as father and son, they also carry bayanihan back to their life in the city and strengthen the ties in their community.

Version 1.0.0

Primary ISBN: 9780593623077
Publication Date: March 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older

Community Represented:

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

Setting: Unspecified, Philippines

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

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

Click here for details about how we define our titles.

Engagement Projects & Resources:

Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.