Grandma's Gift
It's Christmastime, and Eric has a special assignment — he has to write a report about a new painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eric's grandmother makes a deal with him: if he will help her make traditional Puerto Rican pasteles, she will take him to the museum. Together they leave the familiar neighborhoods of Spanish Harlem and venture out to the Met, where Eric encounters a painting that changes his life. A note from author and illustrator Eric Velasquez provides some background to this quiet yet profound story from his childhood. Winner of the 2011 Pura Belpré Illustration Award.
Language: Spanish vocabulary featured
Culture/Community: Puerto Rican
Heritage & History: Caribbean Heritage and History, Hispanic Heritage and History
Book Awards: Américas Award & Honor Books, Pura Belpré Award & Honor Books
Themes for Children: Bicultural Kids, Family and Friends, Art, Music, Dance, and Drama, Strong Girls and Women
Genre: Autobiography/Memoir
Format: Picture Book
Audiobook: No
Age Level: 6-9
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Eric Velasquez: The museum visit that inspired "Grandma's Gift"
full interview with Eric in our Meet the Author section.
You can see the Book Series: Christmas Stories: Hispanic Heritage, Grandma and Me: Stories About Grandmothers, Grandparents: Hispanic Heritage, Stories from the Barrio: Hispanic Heritage, The Gift of Reading: Beautiful Books, Puerto Rican Stories: Books for Children, Winter Holiday Booklist, Art and Artists: Hispanic Heritage