My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero ill bi Zeke Peña
The powerhouse duo that created the 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Award winning Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide, are back. Quintero and Peña capture the wonder of childhood, family, and community with this picture book. Beginning with the cover, readers come along on this joyful ride. Eyes closed, wind-whipped ponytail, hands securely grasping her strong Papi, little unicorn-helmeted Daisy exudes the exhilarating thrill of motorcycle travel. Papi gives his daughter a tender glance as they ride together. |
With a loud "vrooooomm" spanning the two-page spread, the twosome is off. Dodging packs of cats and dogs, vooming past markets and churches, they motor past gorgeous murals revealing the city's history and culture. There are echoes of the century-old road races on the Grand Boulevard. Daisy is also living the present: waving to neighbors, family and friends. A stop at her father's construction site, where new homes are replacing citrus groves looks to the future.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle is awash with tender moments and heartfelt nostalgia. Sensory imagery is an integral part of the narrative. Papi smells like " a hard day at work." His hands feel like "all the love he has the trouble saying." There are visual treasures to be discovered and savored on each page. The title page features Daisy, holding a unicorn aloft on a toy motorcycle, dreams soaring. Our little protagonist whiles away the hours until her father returns with a Lowriders book. An apt nod to the lowrider culture and specifically the Cathy Camper Raul III series. | |
Available in Spanish and English language editions. Order both!