Tag: Tania de Regil

Posted in Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Tween Reads

Invisible Isabel wants to be seen

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Invisible Isabel, by Sally J. Pla/Illustrated by Tania de Regil, (July 2024, Quill Tree Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9780063268852

Ages 8-12

Isabel Beane is an introverted girl lost in the chaos of her home: her two younger siblings are “toddler tornadoes”; her teenaged older sisters chase her away, and her middle schooler older brother just wants to play video games and have his stinky friends over. It isn’t much better at school: her militaristic teacher doesn’t understand the “worry-moths” that cause Isabel to freeze up during class, and new girl Monica has managed to get all Isabel’s former friends to ignore her. Isabel’s parents don’t really hear or see her, either; waving away her fears as normal kid blues. Abandoned by her friends, ignored by her family, Isabel yearns to find her voice, but her fears threaten to overpower her. A sensitive story in verse with soft black and white illustrations, Isabel’s story unfolds as a journey of discovery. The reader gets clues to Isabel’s neurodiversity with mentions comforting routines like rocking, or her sensitivity to sound and scent. Mean girl Monica, Isabel’s antagonist, has reasons for her behavior and has a father who tries to steer his daughter in a better direction. Readers will spend a good part of this book frustrated with everyone around Isabel as they continue ignoring or disregarding her; Pla creates a feeling of responsibility in the reader – we want to protect her! Pla and de Regil create a story of kindness and discovery for all. An excellent choice for realistic fiction and books in verse collections.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Big moves, big thoughts in A New Home

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A New Home, by Tania de Regil, (April 2019, Candlewick Press), $16.99, ISBN: 9781536201932

Ages 4-7

A boy from New York City and a girl from Mexico City are each moving, and nervous about their new home. Readers quickly understand that the kids are swapping places: the boy is moving to Mexico, and the girl, to New York. They voice their worries about everyday things they will miss: an after-school snack on the way home; cheering on a local sports team; having places to play. Optimistically, they also think about the new friends they will meet, and hope they enjoy their new home.

A New Home speaks to kids’ concerns and fears over leaving the familiar and starting over somewhere new, as it reassures those fears by illustrating another child enjoying those same things. The boy from New York stands under a T-Rex skeleton in the American Museum of Natural History as the girl from Mexico City stands in front of the Sun Stone in the Museo Nacional de Antropología, each hoping there will be places for their classes to explore their past. The book touches on some of the challenges of city life, including homelessness and poverty. Back matter provides more information about the places and images that come up in the book; everyday images like hot dog carts and street music all get their moment here. Soft, yet bright illustrations make big city living a little less overwhelming.

A New Home is a good addition to your books about moving. Brightly and Moving.com offer reading lists with further book suggestions. There’s a free, downloadable activity kit available through the publisher.