Every morning, Ms. Marta goes out to check that the world is how it should be: her friends sitting on a terrace playing cards, the beach where it always is, children playing in the playground. There’s nothing particularly special about Ms. Marta’s neighborhood except that it’s the only one like it in the world: it’s hers.
Neighborhoods
In the Neighborhood
A group of neighbors never talks to one another because they’ve all made assumptions about each other. Camila the chicken’s house is too noisy, Mr. Martínez the fox seems so straightlaced, Felipe the mouse is nervous, and Pepe the ogre well, you know about ogres. But one day, Mrs. Paquita’s internet connection goes out. That starts a domino effect of neighbors helping neighbors. And soon everything has changed.
Bon Voyage, Mister Rodriguez
Every afternoon at four o’clock, Mister Rodriguez steps out of a narrow laneway and strolls through the street. The village children watch him go, ever more curious about the enigmatic old man with the bushy white mustache. Some say they’ve seen him float above the ground. Others say he played a piano without touching a single key. The truth, though, is more beautiful than any of the children could have imagined.
Shu-Li And Tamara
This contemporary story of the true friendship between two girls is set in Vancouver’s Commercial Drive neighborhood. Shu-Li’s parents run a local Chinese deli and much of the story revolves around food. There is a helpful compendium of recipes at the end of the book for kids to try out. Beautifully illustrated throughout with line drawings.
Shu-Li And Diego
Shu-Li and Diego tells the story of how these two classmates meet the challenge of taking care of Baxter, a neighbor’s dog. The two friends face disaster when Baxter runs away and they have to break the news to its owner.
My Papi Has A Motorcycle
When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she’s always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her.
Featured in Volume XIII, Issue 2 of WOW Review.
Hey, Wall
Armed with pencils, paints, dreams, and Grandma Addy’s memories of how beautiful the neighborhood once was, a boy and his neighbors paint the big wall that had been cold, empty, and cheerless.
Our Celebración!
Come join the crowd headed for a summer celebración! Marvel at the people riding motociclos, bicycles, triciclos, and unicycles. Duck out of the way as firefighters spray water everywhere. Clap to the music as people playing clarinetes, saxophones, trompetas, and drums march by. Feast on lemonade, watermelon, tacos, and helado. Take cover when a brief rain shower comes, and then as night falls–big sorpresas. Pop, pop, pop! ¡Bón, bón, bón!
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder
Four short stories set in a hutong, or residential alleyway, of Beijing, China. Yu’er, her grandfather, and their eccentric neighbors experience the magic of everyday life.
My Beijing is featured in WOW Review Volume XIV, Issue 1.
The One-Day House
A little boy promises his beloved friend, an elderly lady, that one day he will fix up her old house–and his words inspire the other people in the neighborhood to pitch in and get it done.