No More Señora Mimí by Brittany Cicchese, Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219444
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Young Ana’s daily routine includes hanging out with her upstairs neighbor señora Mimí (and Mimí’s baby and dog) both before and after school while Ana’s mother is at work. Things are about to change, however, with the arrival of Abuela, who will be moving in with Ana and helping with the childcare. Ana is super excited about this until she has the realization that the routine she loves will end, as will the role that Mimí has played in her life.

What could have been a more straightforward picture book about change transforms into a nuanced exploration of mixed emotions in young children and a glimpse into the bond that caretakers and children can have. The book would be easy to recommend for all kinds of  life events that might feel overwhelming, but it also fills a niche yet crucial need for children struggling with saying goodbye to caregivers, making it a terrific addition to any library.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath