Purchase to Support Our Program

“D.H. Figueredo stays remarkably true to a child’s perspective; the author’s voice is as fresh and pure as a first snowfall. Danilito’s fears about facing new experiences are realistic, as is his genuine excitement about snow. The soft edges of Enrique O. Sanchez’s muted illustrations perfectly complement the bittersweet tone of the story.”

—Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)

“True to the child’s viewpoint, this picture book tells an elemental immigration story that is candid about both the hardship and the hope… Sanchez’s tender acrylic illustrations show the child’s feelings of fear and wonder as well as the adults’ tension. The picture’s show what the title says about the sense of discovery in a new home.”

—Booklist

“In his first picture book, Figueredo offers a boy’s first-person account of his Spanish-speaking family’s arrival in the United States from “an island on an ocean that was warm and far away.”… Even when set in the intimidating city, the illustrations in gentle tones of reds and blues create the feeling that the boy’s transition to a new life and culture will be a smooth one.”

—Publishers Weekly

Un Mundo Nuevo (When This World Was New)

Written by D. H. Figueredo
Illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez
Published by Lee & Low Books

It was Danilito’s first day in America. He and his parents have just made a long, exhausting move from the Caribbean to New York City. The ocean and the palm trees he is familiar with are now replaced by tall buildings and crowded streets.

Danilito is scared. He has heard that some Americans are not friendly to foreigners. In addition, he does not speak any English. His parents have worries, too. They will have to find new jobs, a new home, and adjust to the new surroundings. This was going to be their first cold winter.

Danilito’s worries disappear the next morning when he wakes up and Papa leads him on a magical trip of discovery. D.H. Figueredo, in his picture book debut, brings us a gentle and uplifting story of coming to America, and Enrique O. Sanchez captures the loving images of a boy embracing his new home and finding a special bond with his family.

Translated from When This World Was New, Un Mundo Nuevo brings us a gentle and uplifting story of coming to America.

Look for the English version, When This World Was New.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: September 2000
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Picture Book, Age 05 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York City NY)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

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.

Engagement Materials:

Teacher’s Guide

Source: Lee & Low Books