Gloriana, Presente

By Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Doris M. Rodríguez-Graber (Illustrator)

A young girl navigates her first school day, caught between two languages and cultures.

4.5/5 Goodreads · 67 ratings

32 pages· 746 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Gloriana faces her first day of school, torn between her Dominican roots and the English-speaking world. As she struggles to connect with classmates, her Abuela's stories offer comfort and guidance. Can Gloriana find her voice and bridge the gap between her two worlds? This vibrant tale explores the challenges and magic of living between cultures, celebrating the journey to self-confidence.

From the publisher

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.

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