Graciela’s Papi has been working in the United States for so long that she has almost forgotten his face, so when the box he promised for her seventh birthday does not arrive, she is very upset and nearly loses hope that he–and the rain–will someday ret.
- ISBN: 9781590784228
- Authors: Moreno, Rene King; Stanton, Karen
- Published: 2007 , Boyds Mills Press
- Themes: Culture, families, families stories, Immigrants, Love, overcome
- Descriptors: Mexico, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction
- No. of pages: 32
Papi’s Gift
After reading my kindergarteners this adorable and moving book, I observed that many of them had realized that Graciela’s father was most important to her. However, a few of my students focused on the present. All of my students agreed that presents are very precious to them as well. Also, I loved the expressions on my students’ faces while reading this story. Nearly everyone felt very sad for Graciela; they felt her pain, even if they didn’t realize it enough to express it. While I shared the story, I also had a few high school volunteers in my classroom, and they too, were surprised at my students’ responses to the story. I noticed that they were just as moved by the story as my kindergartners.
Papi’s Gift is a touching story about a little girl named Graciela who has been separated from her father. Graciela is starting to forget his face because he has been gone for such a long time. On Sundays, the family gets to talk to Papi on the phone. For Graciela’s 7th birthday, Papi told her that he sent her a present and but after waiting and waiting, the present never comes. Graciela becomes angry as she waits and waits for the present that never comes and is now waiting for her father to come home.
I read this moving story to my first grade students because I have a few students who can relate to this story. This brought up many emotions and questions but I enjoyed one specific conversation that we had together. My students felt sad for the little girl because her father had to leave their family because of a drought. They couldn’t imagine going through this and it made them aware that each of us have our own story and life isn’t perfect, even though we might like it to be.