A new dog, Sofie, joins the family introduced in A Gift from Papá Diego (1998), to the absolute joy of the children, Little Diego and Gabriela. Though there is much competition between siblings as to whose dog she is and who loves her more, the controversy quickly ends when Sofie becomes seriously ill and the family endures two days and nights of anxiety and fear. Love, moral support and a bit of faith bring the drama to a happy conclusion while brother and sister gain insight into the sharing of all the responsibilities and joys of pet owning: Too many tortillas may not be such a good thing for the rambunctious puppy. Garcia’s signature folk-inspired, sculpted clay illustrations depict a lovably goofy little mutt; rounded shapes—heads, dog bed, tortillas and more—combine with a warm palette to create a cozy, comforting atmosphere that reflects the traditions of Mexican-American family life described in the dual English/Spanish narrative. A universal message with a Latino flavor. (Picture book. 5-8)
