Emilia wishes that a lot of things were different. Different food at home, a nicer neighborhood to live in, a fancier place to shop. Her wanting for more intrudes on her everyday life, with wishful images taking over illustrations in the first half of the book until they form a full two-page spread: Emilia stands in bright colors, clutching shopping bags and surrounded by the items she wishes “could all be hers.” But these wishes are not to be – the implied gap between real life and Emilia’s wishes is a lack of money. The clothes she wants are to be purchased on layaway, and will stay at the store today. In the second half of the story, our focus shifts from Emilia to her mama, who works “day and night” to provide for her family. Instead of Emilia’s wishes, we see her mama’s hard work, fatigue, diligence, and finally, pride. The joyous image on the book’s final spread isn’t Emilia’s wish, it’s mama in her beautiful new dress, finally fully paid for, “glittering like the warm sun.” And that is all that Emilia wants.

Belen Medina (author of Daughter of the Light-Footed People) and Magdalena Mora (illustrator of Barrio Rising and Tomatoes in My Lunchbox) have created a gentle, loving tribute to parents who make wishes come true with limited resources. Lyrical language (a “sprawling, manicured lawn,” “sizzling pavement”) and the message underscoring the humanity of parents gear this story to school-age readers. Mora’s illustrations in pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and ink soften the edges of this big lesson, and use color to effortlessly communicate the differences between wishes and reality. Emilia and her family are cued Latine.

Reviewed by Carolyn Gallmeyer, Youth Services Librarian, Lithgow Public Library, Augusta