Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba

A parent might reach for this book when their child starts asking about what life was like for grandparents, or expresses curiosity about different countries and cultures. Through a series of warm, inviting short stories, author Alma Flor Ada shares vignettes from her childhood in 1940s Cuba. It's a gentle and loving look at family traditions, school days, and the vibrant natural world that surrounded her, making history feel personal and accessible. This memoir is perfect for nurturing a child's sense of cultural identity and empathy. The emotional focus is on the deep love within a multi-generational family, the joy of simple pleasures, and finding one's place in the world. For children aged 8 to 12, it provides a beautiful, positive window into another time and place, sparking conversations about family history and the things that connect us all, no matter where we grow up.