Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products, you purchase. I received a copy of the book in exchange for this review.
School has begun and children have returned to classes both in person and online. I wanted to share a new addition to our Christmas Gift Guide 25: Gloriana, Presente A First Day of School Story written by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris (Author), Doris M. Rodríguez-Graber (Illustrator).
Gloriana, Presente A First Day of School Story is the perfect children’s book for children starting their first day of school and for Teachers to have on hand to make new students feel at home. I like how the Author has sprinkled in words not only in English but Spanish allowing us to learn a new language.
Gloriana, Presente A First Day of School Story was created for children from the age of 6 and up. The illustrations are so fun to look at and will spark many questions allowing story time to go one for a while. Charlie said he thought the story was written for girls because of the girl on the cover but boys and even adults will enjoy the story of Gloriana, Presente A First Day of School Story as well.
About the book:
Enter the classroom in this joyful story of growth that will help new students find their voice. With Spanish words throughout the text, this radiant picture book is perfect for fans of Mango, Abuela, and Me.
On the first day of elementary school, Abuela soothes Gloriana’s nerves by telling her stories from their family home in la República Dominicana. But as soon as Gloriana enters the classroom, the tropical scenery crumbles and la música is replaced with English phrases she does not understand.
When other kids approach her to play at recess, she freezes, uncertain about how to exist between her two homes, or how to make new friends between her two languages. Abuela recognizes echoes of her own immigration journey on this challenging day at school, and she gently guides Gloriana towards newfound confidence.
This beautifully painted, imaginative picture book celebrates the magic of existing in-between, and the transformative power of self-soothing to build confidence. An essential read for fans of The Queen of Kindergarten.
Meet the Author:
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latinx/e Dominican and Puerto Rican writer, mother, and community organizer.
During the day she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been.
Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner and daughter. She was awarded a Yuyi Morales Diversity and More Merit Scholarship in 2020 for the Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books course offered through the Children’s Book Academy.
She earned a Las Musas Mentorship and an Editor-Writer Mentorship from The Word for picture books in 2020. She was also selected as a mentee through the PB Chat Mentorship program but withdrew from the program due to being offered representation.
Alyssa’s amazing agent is the talented Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez at Context Literary Agency. Alyssa is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a Musa with LAS MUSAS BOOKS, and a member of KidLit In Color.
She hopes you enjoy her stories.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
