January 1, 2024
As cold weather gives way to spring, the monarch butterfly migration begins, and Lucia's papa commences his own journey north. The forested region near the Mexican state of Michoacan is home to Lucia and her family (who are implied, from the back matter, to be Mazahua Indigenous people of the region) and to millions of monarchs, which hibernate there during winter months. Through lyrical text, Harmony describes the parallel journeys of the butterflies and migrant farm workers like Papa, who travel miles "across rivers and mountains" with a guiding sense of purpose; as he reassures his daughter: "When the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home." Lush greens of regional flora frame almost every page and ground the connection between nature and people. The illustrations -- rendered in gouache, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and digital elements -- capture the flitting motion of the monarchs, shifting viewpoints to allow readers to admire their patterned wings or marvel at the specks of orange flying en masse. An author's note detailing the monarch migration and the butterfly's cultural significance in the region; a Spanish glossary; and a "How Can We Help?" section are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as Un aleteo de esperanza. Jessica Agudelo
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
Starred review from December 15, 2023
Like the monarch butterfly, Luc�a's father migrates according to the seasons, retracing the steps of his ancestors. Springtime means a journey north for Pap� and for the monarch butterflies that flit around their garden in Michoac�n, Mexico. Soothing a tearful Luc�a, Pap� tells her he'll return when the weather cools and their "winged ancestors" lead him home. This heartwarming story connects butterfly and human migration and shows how both are natural and part of deep-rooted life patterns. Monarch butterflies follow the same migratory route as previous generations; Luc�a's father, a migrant laborer, journeys north in search of work, following the harvests just as his ancestors did. Though Luc�a stays behind, her life also follows the cycles of seasons. While her father is gone, she learns to weave ocoxal-leaf baskets from her mother and grandmother, using the same technique as previous generations. With autumn's return comes D�a de los Muertos, and Luc�a welcomes back her father, along with the monarchs. The prose is simple yet elegant; the love between Luc�a and her father reverberates deeply through subtle echoes such as the detail of the ocoxal hat Pap� wears in the fields. The digitally finished watercolor, colored pencil, and crayon illustrations are richly textured and engrossing, with line- and brushstrokes enhancing the emotion. The characters have brown skin. A beautiful story about cycles and traditions that shines a light on migration. (glossary, author's note, how can we help?) (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from January 22, 2024
A Mexican girl waits for the return of her migrant farmworker father, whose departure parallels the migratory pattern of monarch butterflies, in this ecological tale of dual-species movement. In spring, Lucía observes as the “Monarcas perch... sleepily” just as Papá prepares to head north. Papá picks up his guitar: “Songs soothe weeping hearts,” he says while playing Lucía’s favorite tune. As the butterflies, too, pause before journeying, Papa reminds Lucía that when “the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home.” After “a million monarchs flicker magic into the sky,” the smartly twined telling follows Lucía’s community braiding baskets of “ocoxal leaves and memories,” and migrant workers, including Papá, “in search of fields, crops, and a better tomorrow.” Field and forest greens and butterfly oranges dominate the digitally finished mixed media, which feature strong, deep shades over pale washes. A glossary, author’s note, and “How Can We Help?” section conclude. Ages 4–8.
Starred review from January 26, 2024
K-Gr 3-Luc�a and Pap� love watching the monarch butterflies outside their Mexico home. When spring comes and the monarchs must fly north, Luc�a knows that her father will travel north as well. He is looking for work to help support their family, "in search of fields, crops, and a better tomorrow." Luc�a anxiously awaits the return of the monarch butterflies in autumn, knowing they signal the imminent return of her father. Lyrical text and captivating illustrations create a truly compelling reading experience. The pain of separation and the hope for better days are clearly portrayed in Luc�a and Pap�'s faces. Most readers will be able to empathize with the story of a child and parent being separated, and the emotional impact of their reunion is satisfying. Vibrant illustrations with whimsical and traditional cultural elements add charm and a sense of magic. This book would provide an excellent framework to talk about both the general concept of migration and migrant worker populations. With that context, the potential age range for this book is broad: younger children may simply enjoy the family story, while older children could be prompted to have in-depth conversations about complicated concepts. VERDICT This magnificent and hopeful tale of journeys and returns is recommended for first purchase.-Elizabeth Lovsin
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from June 14, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 *Starred Review* Luc�a's tears "fall down down down" as Pap� heads north for work, just as the wave of monarchs dance "up up up" to begin their parallel journey. In this lyrical, gently informative book, the annual migration of monarch butterflies weaves in and out of the cycles of migrant farm labor. The text quietly signals how closely humans and nature are connected: Luc�a's family shares traditions they "know by heart," while generations of butterflies fly a path they, too, "know by heart." Meanwhile, Pap�'s songs for Luc�a "flutter . . . in the wind." The author's bilingualism sparkles as Spanish words ebb and flow throughout; monarcas on one page are monarchs on the next. Vibrant, full-page illustrations of Luc�a's and her father's time apart add depth to the simple, poetic language--and when the monarchs finally come "down down down" from the sky, Luc�a heads "up up up" the mountain to welcome Pap� home. Rarely have the big ideas of family, tradition, labor, ecosystems, and interdependence been presented in such a loving and approachable way. End notes provide details about the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and the Indigenous peoples in the region, a glossary of Spanish words, and resources for supporting sustainable communities. Simultaneously released in Spanish as Un aleteo de esperanza.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
January 1, 2024
As cold weather gives way to spring, the monarch butterfly migration begins, and Lucia's papa commences his own journey north. The forested region near the Mexican state of Michoacan is home to Lucia and her family (who are implied, from the back matter, to be Mazahua Indigenous people of the region) and to millions of monarchs, which hibernate there during winter months. Through lyrical text, Harmony describes the parallel journeys of the butterflies and migrant farm workers like Papa, who travel miles "across rivers and mountains" with a guiding sense of purpose; as he reassures his daughter: "When the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home." Lush greens of regional flora frame almost every page and ground the connection between nature and people. The illustrations -- rendered in gouache, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and digital elements -- capture the flitting motion of the monarchs, shifting viewpoints to allow readers to admire their patterned wings or marvel at the specks of orange flying en masse. An author's note detailing the monarch migration and the butterfly's cultural significance in the region; a Spanish glossary; and a "How Can We Help?" section are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as Un aleteo de esperanza.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)