Tia Isa Wants A Car
Written by Meg Medina
Illustrated by Claudio Munzo
Published by Candlewick Press
Isa wants a car. A shiny green car the same color as the ocean, with wings like a swooping bird. A car to take the whole family to the beach. But saving is hard when everything goes into two piles – one for here and one for Helping Money, so that family members who live far away might join them someday. While Tia Isa saves, her niece does odd jobs for neighbors so she can add her earnings to the stack. But even with her help, will they ever have enough? Meg Medina’s simple, genuine story about keeping in mind those who are far away is written in lovely, lyrical prose and brought to life through Claudio Munoz’s charming characters.

Primary ISBN: 9780763641566
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Publication Status: Hardcover Out of Print
Picture Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Cuban/Cuban American, Unspecified (Hispanic/Latinx)
Themes: Educator Resource, Engagement Tool: Arts, Engagement Tool: Discussion, Family Separation: Different Immigration Status, Immigrant: Economic, Immigrant: Reunion of Family, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Welcoming Library: Core Picture Books (Past)
Setting: United States
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Source: IClassrooms In Action
Money Management Parent Guide (PDF)
Source: Consumer Finance
Story Map
Source: Teaching Books
Financial Lesson Plan (PDF)
Source: Vermont Treasurer
Coloring Page
Source: Meg Medina author page
Classroom Idea Card (PDF)
Source: Meg Medina author page
This book is part of the Welcoming Library. The Welcoming Library is a traveling collection of picture books set in our New Arrival and
New American communities. From small towns to big cities, these immigration stories are helping readers
(of all ages) Welcome and Belong. WelcomingLibrary.org