This is one of my favorite picture books of all time. It exemplifies the effects of "paying it forward" by sharing the love, generosity, and attentiveness of a grandmother toward her grandson and her neighbors. The author's Puerto Rican roots run deep throughout the description of his grandmother's making and gifting of traditional pasteles (URL to recipe included) and of the description of El Barrio, as well as in the rich colors and authenticity of the illustrations. Velasquez includes a brief biography of Pareja, as well as an author's note outlining the artist's self-portrait's influence on his life, and how strongly the self-portrait influenced him in becoming an artist. For any young student interested in art, this is a valuable addition to the school library.
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