Children's City Life Books Archives -

Picture Book Review – My Two Border Towns

January 4, 2022
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4-8, Children's Book Reviews, Father & Children Relationship, Juvenile Fiction, Lifestyles (City Life), Multicultural stories, People & Places - United States

MY TWO BORDER TOWNS

Written by David Bowles

Illustrated by Erika Meza

(Kokila; $17.99, Ages 4-8)

★Starred Reviews – Kirkus, Booklist, The Horn Book, Publishers Weekly

Two towns unite in a spirit of community, outreach, and transnational awareness through the compassion of a little boy and his father in David Bowles and Erika Meza’s My Two Border Towns.

As he does every other Saturday, a boy living in South Texas prepares for a trip with his father to “[E]l Otro Lado”–a short ride to the other side of the border. He grabs his “special bag” of gifts before they leave; while on the road, he reflects on the items he’ll be giving to his friends.

My Two Border Towns int1 — Interior spread from My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza, Kokila ©2021.

Once they’ve arrived, we see a warm and vibrant town, twin to the one where the boy lives, except for English which is “mostly missing” until “it pops up like grains of sugar on a chili pepper.” Bowles’ fluid weaving of English and Spanish throughout the story also provides opportunities for further learning to those who want to dig deeper into the Spanish language. Colorful and lively, Meza’s aerial and close-up illustrations of the setting are packed with details: architecture, wall signs, street vendors, and facial expressions all have a story of their own.

My Two Border Towns int2 — Interior spread from My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza, Kokila ©2021.

Now that father and son are fueled up with breakfast from their favorite restaurant, it’s time to catch up with family and play a round of soccer. Grocery shopping and a visit to the pharmacist are next, but before they head home, Dad reminds his son of their last, “most important visit.”

My Two Border Towns int3 — Interior spread from My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza, Kokila ©2021.

Having all his supplies ready, the boy makes a quick visit to his friend who, along with a long line of people, is waiting, uncertain about the fate of his future. There are “entire families from the Caribbean and Central America. Refugees, Dad calls them. Stuck between two countries.”

The thought and care the boy has given to his gifts is evident as he unpacks them “explaining [his] choices” for each one to his friend. Though his visit is short, it’s always bookended by love for his friends and a yearning for their freedom.

My Two Border Towns int4 — Interior spread from My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza, Kokila ©2021.

A must-have for caregivers and educators, My Two Border Towns opens doors to conversations about kindness, empathy, duty, and the complexities of immigration.

Reviewed by Armineh Manookian

Picture Book Review – The Cot in the Living Room

THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM

Written by Hilda Eunice Burgos

Illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro

(Kokila; $17.99, Ages 4-8)

A Junior Library Guild Selection
★Starred Review – BookPage

What’s it like to walk in someone else’s shoes? Author Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrator Gaby D’Alessandro show us how in The Cot in the Living Room.

A young girl longs to spend the night on the cot in her living room. “Mami says it’s for guests” only, but to the girl the cot symbolizes freedom and possibilities: having the whole living room to herself, enjoying the lights from the George Washington bridge coming in through the big window, watching television, and even sneaking in a midnight snack.

The Cot in the Living Room int1 — Interior spread from The Cot in the Living Room written by Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro, Kokila ©2021.

When throughout the week neighborhood children take turns spending the night on the cot, the young girl feels it’s absolutely “not fair” that she doesn’t get to enjoy this privilege. But what she doesn’t realize is the fear and discomfort each guest struggles through as they are separated from their parents who are working the night shift.

I love the way the illustrations highlight the girl’s jealousy by magnifying the supposed delight each guest will have spending the night on the cot. An endless supply of candy-colored food, fun, and games in exaggerated sizes emphasize the disconnect between the young girl’s idealization of the cot and the reality of her guests’ feelings about it. For them, the cot is a poor substitute for home.

The Cot in the Living Room int2 — Interior spread from The Cot in the Living Room written by Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro, Kokila ©2021.

When the young girl finally does get the opportunity to spend the night on the cot, strange and scary noises give her insight into their loneliness. Modeling her parents’ kindness and caregiving, the girl finds a creative way to make her guests feel like a part of the family.

Parents and educators searching for themes of compassion, empathy, and sacrifice will find them in this touching picture book.