Mi Casa Is My Home

Written by Laurenne Sala and illustrated by Zara González Hoang.

Publisher: ‎Candlewick 

Language: English

Hardcover: ‎32 pages

ISBN-10: 1536209430

ISBN-13: 978-1536209433

Reading age: ‎3 - 7 years

Grade level: ‎Preschool - 2

Lucia invites you to visit her bustling casa and meet an intergenerational array of loved ones in a charming Spanglish celebration of family life.

Este es el baño . . . It’s where I shave my barba con Abuelo.

Bienvenidos to Lucía’s home. Lucía lives in her casa with her big, loud, beautiful familia, and she’s going to show you around! From la puerta, where Abuela likes to wave to the neighbors and wait for packages from Puerto Rico or Spain, to la cocina, where Lucía watches her Mamá turn empty pots into soups and arroces, to el patio, where Lucia and her cousins (and her cousin’s cousins!) put on magic shows, Lucía loves her busy and cozy casa. With warmth and joy, author Laurenne Sala and illustrator Zara González Hoang celebrate home in this bilingual picture book that feels like an abrazo from your most favorite people, your familia.

Review

A must-buy. This book is perfect not only for bilingual readers but also for those seeking to connect more with another language.—School Library Journal (starred review)

This sweet family story will be best enjoyed by readers who speak both Spanish and English, as Lucía uses Spanglish, seamlessly moving back and forth between the two languages. The accompanying illustrations have a charming childlike feel that complements Lucía’s cheer and provides visual context for readers who don’t speak Spanish. Lucía’s family members represents the Latinx community’s racial diversity. A warm family account that will ring true with many Latinx children.—Kirkus Reviews

Lucía lives in a yellow house with her large and loving family, and in Sala and Hoang's warm picture book, readers are invited to walk through her cozy home. . . . Sala and Hoang have created a book that celebrates home, family, and togetherness that will leave readers feeling right at home with Lucía.—Booklist

Zara Gonzalez Hoang grew up in a little bungalow in the frozen tundra of Minneapolis. Since it was way too cold to go outside, she was entertained by the colorful stories her parents told and the mountain of art supplies she hoarded. This was very helpful when she decided to draw for a living. She now lives in a quirky mid-century house deep in the suburban woods with her Mad Man husband, human-shaped demons and curly coated corgi in the slightly warmer climate of Northern Virginia. Visit her online at www.zaralikestodraw.com

Laurenne Sala is a storyteller and writer of weird things you may have seen. She believes that the more we write and tell about ourselves, the better we feel.