Diego and his sister Gabriela argue over their new dog Sofie. But it's only when Sofie gets really sick that they find out who their tortilla-loving pup really belongs to.
This is a bilingual book for kids and dogs and even their parents. Once again, Benjamin Alire Sáenz shows he understands the chemistry and dynamics of family, this time with a dog stirring up the recipe. Little Diego and Gabriela first appeared in Sáenz and Geronimo Garcia's best-selling title A Gift from Papá Diego.
"Garcia's signature folk-inspired, sculpted clay illustrations depict a lovably goofy little mutt; rounded shapes-heads, dog bed, tortillas and more-combine with a warm palette to create a cozy, comforting atmosphere that reflects the traditions of Mexican-American family life described in the dual English/Spanish narrative. A universal message with a Latino flavor."
—Kirkus
"Sáenz’s text almost makes the book read like a short story—one that ably portrays mischievous sibling dynamics, a love of animals and the ways families come together during difficult times. Set against colorful solid backdrops, Garcia’s clay artwork has an appropriately homey quality that keeps the focus on the siblings and their beloved pet."
—Publishers Weekly
"A captivating bilingual book with close family relationships and unconditional love at its core."
—Library Journal
Benjamin Alire Sáenz received three starred Publishers Weekly reviews in 2008—one for his young adult novel He Forgot to Say Goodbye (Simon & Schuster) and two for his illustrated book A Perfect Season for Dreaming (Cinco Puntos Press). Long at the forefront of the emerging Latino literature in the United States, he has received both the Wallace Stegner and Lannan fellowships, and he is a recipient of the American Book Award. His young adult novel Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood was named one of the Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults in 2005.
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From the Publisher
"Garcia's signature folk-inspired, sculpted clay illustrations depict a lovably goofy little mutt. Rounded shaped-heads, dog bed, tortillas and more combine with a warm palette to create a cozy, comforting atmosphere that reflects the traditions of Mexican-American family life described in the dual English/Spanish narrative. A universal message with a Latino flavor." —Kirkus Reviews
"Sáenz’s text almost makes the book read like a short story—one that ably portrays mischievous sibling dynamics, a love of animals and the ways families come together during difficult times (Sofie falls ill at one point)." —Publisher's Weekly
"A captivating bilingual book with close family relationships and unconditional love at its core." —Library Journal
"Drawing on characters introduced in A Gift from Papa Diego, Diego, his big sister, Gabriela, and their parents return in this delightful story of two kids and their dog, Sophie, who is almost impossible to train until they discover her love for tortillas. This delightful bilingual tale is about sharing, family connections, and a cherished pet." —Tucson Citizen
"The clay-art figure illustrations are cheerful and add a high degree of interest. Elementary teachers will find the content appropriate for enrichment or in a unit about family relationships, although this dialogue-heavy book will require more than one class period for reading. Second and third year high school Spanish classes can use the text for work with the preterit and imperfect tenses." —Library Media Connection
"The vocabulary used in the story is advanced but not too challenging. The message is important because many kids today want pets but do not realize the responsibilities that come along with them, or how to provide them with proper care." —Oneota Reading Journal
"Benjamin Alire Sáenz‘s The Dog Who Loved Tortillas, with vibrant clay illustrations by Geronimo Garcia, will be a hit with any kid who has ever begged his parents for a dog." —New West
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