Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins, Sara Palacios
on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0374303738
Pages: 40
Goodreads

This charming picture book illustrates a family’s dedication to their history and their grandmother, who lives in Mexico, across the border from San Diego, California. 

 It’s Christmas time, and the children are busy making gifts for their grandmother Abuela, who they haven’t seen in 5 years. We travel with them by bus to Border Field State Park in San Diego, where they gather with others to visit their loved ones across the fence in Mexico.  Border patrol officers direct them in groups to visit for 30 minutes.  Maria and Juan have made simple gifts for their grandma, but rules forbid any items from going through the fence.

 This story is a wonderful introduction to another culture and their struggles, love and simple miracles.  The book explains very simply the celebration of Las Posadas, a nine- day festival celebrated throughout Mexico which remembers the birth of Jesus, and La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders), celebrated one day during Las Posadas along the border.

 This picture book is a wonderful read aloud, with simple, easy- to- follow illustrations that match the text perfectly.  An unusual Christmas book for a library collection, it will enhance the diversity and love the holiday entails.

 Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine