With Lots of Love

Rocio has moved from Central America to the United States. She deeply misses her Abuela, her grocery store, and the vibrant life she left behind. The story follows her as she navigates her new environment, culminating in a birthday celebration where a special package from Abuela arrives, proving that their connection remains intact despite the miles. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book addresses immigration and the resulting family separation. The approach is deeply emotional and realistic but secular and hopeful. It focuses on the psychological state of 'longing' rather than the political mechanics of moving. EMOTIONAL ARC: The narrative begins with a heavy sense of nostalgia and quiet sadness. It maintains a gentle, reflective pace, gradually building toward a joyful and reassuring conclusion as Rocio realizes her grandmother is still with her in spirit and through their shared traditions. IDEAL READER: A child who has recently relocated or an immigrant child who expresses sadness about missing grandparents. It is also perfect for any child in a long-distance family dynamic who needs a vocabulary for their 'missing' feelings. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child staring out a window, acting unusually withdrawn after a phone call with family, or crying because a specific food doesn't taste like it did 'back home.' PARENT PREP: This book can be read cold, but parents should be prepared for their own emotional response, as the depiction of a grandparent's long-distance love is quite poignant. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children (4-5) will focus on the colorful items in the illustrations and the concept of the birthday gift. Older children (7-8) will more deeply internalize the metaphor of the stars and the complex feeling of being in two places at once. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many books that focus on the journey of moving, this book focuses on the sensory 'echoes' of home: the smells, tastes, and sights that keep a culture alive in a new land.