
Reach for this book when your child is witnessing a loved one struggle with grief or when your family is navigating the quiet sadness of a first holiday or visit after a loss. It is a gentle, culturally rich story about the Perez family, who decide to build a chicken coop to welcome Nana from Mexico after the passing of Tata. Beyond the specific grief of losing a grandfather, the book explores how purposeful activity and shared projects can act as a bridge back to joy. The bilingual English and Spanish text makes it an excellent choice for elementary-aged children (4 to 8) to see how empathy and teamwork help heal a broken heart. It is a beautiful way to show children that while we cannot take away someone's pain, we can build a space for new memories to grow.
The book deals directly with the death of a grandparent and the resulting grief. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the physical and emotional symptoms of loss (sadness, lack of energy) and the healing power of family and nature. The resolution is hopeful and grounded.
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Sign in to write a reviewA 6-year-old child who is observant of a parent or grandparent's sadness and wants to 'fix' it or help. It is also perfect for bilingual households or classrooms looking for authentic Mexican-American representation.
The book is safe to read cold, but parents should be ready to discuss how grief doesn't disappear overnight, even when something happy happens. A child asking, 'Why is Nana so sad?' or 'When will she be happy again?' after a death in the family.
Younger children will focus on the chicks and the fun of building the coop. Older children (7-8) will better grasp the nuance of the 'surprise' as a therapeutic tool for Nana's mental health.
Unlike many grief books that focus on the child's loss, this focuses on the child's empathy for an adult's loss. The folk-art illustrations and bilingual format provide a specific, authentic cultural texture.
Amada's family is preparing for a visit from Nana, who is traveling from Mexico to California. Nana is deeply grieving the death of Tata (Grandfather). To help her find joy again, the family works together to build a 'big surprise' in the backyard: a beautiful chicken coop. The story follows the construction process, the arrival of the chicks, and Nana's eventual emotional shift as she finds purpose in caring for the birds and connecting with her grandchildren.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.