My Papi has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Pena

This has been getting a lot of buzz and rightly so - it's a joyous celebration of family, culture, and optimism for the future, even when families face changes. And, of course, motorcycles! The only drawback for me is that I'd love to see more books with Hispanic characters set in the Midwest, rather than the Southwest, but I'll take what I can get.

The main character, Daisy Ramona, has learned to love motorcycles through her Papi's own love. When he comes home, she grabs their helmets and they take a spin on his motorcycle through the neighborhood. They ride exuberantly past the small businesses, waving to neighbors and recognizing their favorite places. But as they go, they notice more and more businesses are closed, more and more changes are coming to their home. They ride past the construction sites where Daisy's Papi works, building new homes for other people, and finally return home; where they see that their neighbors have found new ways to adapt to their changing world.

An author's note talks about their own experiences with the changing landscape and the history of immigrants who have built the country and the workers who still labor to build houses and cities but are often forgotten. This is a poignant and timely reminder, not only showing a wonderful father-daughter relationship but in my own area of the Midwest, of the Hispanic communities that suffer prejudice and poverty with many people conveniently forgetting how much labor they have put into our history, and still continue to contribute.

Earth colors and soft but vibrant pinks, greens, and oranges cover the pages and Daisy zooms across the streets with her Papi in her purple unicorn helmet. The pages are sprinkled with Spanish words, tastes, and sounds and the reader is taken right into a wonderful community with a colorful past and a bright future, no matter what obstacles they may face.

Verdict: I don't often say this, but I do think this is one book that every library should have. Read it with children of recent immigrants to encourage them to feel pride in their parents' accomplishments and hope for their own future. Read it with children of not-so-recent immigrants to help them gain empathy for the struggles of others. For Hispanic children to feel pride in their communities and their heritage, for other children to honor that culture and trace their own families. And just for fun motorcycles and unicorn helmets! It is a longer story, best-suited to an elementary audience.

ISBN: 9780525553410; Published May 2019 by Kokila (new imprint from Penguin); Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library