Something Happened to My Dad: A Story About Immigration and Family Separation
Written by Ann Hazzard
and Vivianne Aponte Rivera
Illustrated by Gloria Félix
Published by American Psychological Association
Carmen loves doing magic with her Papi. He can make sarapes fly. He can make rabbits vanish! But one day, her Papi vanishes. She is sad and scared when she learns he has been detained because he is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. At first, Carmen’s family keeps Papi’s detention a secret, fearing that they might be judged negatively. As Carmen’s community becomes aware of their situation, they rally around her family with love. Carmen learns she can find strength in herself and maintain her connection with Papi, no matter what happens.
Look for the Spanish version, Algo Le Pasó a Mi Papá: Una Historia Sobre Inmigración y la Separación Familiar.
Primary ISBN: 9781433839443
Publication Date: May 2022
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Mexican/Mexican American
Themes: Cross-Group Friendship, Detention & Deportation, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Separation: By Detention, Family Separation: Different Immigration Status, Generation: 1st, Identity: Multilingual
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
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The author has included extensive engagement materials in the back of the book.

