IF YOUR ABUELO IS AN ASTRONAUTA

A game of make-believe helps siblings find common ground.

During a video call, the young narrator imagines Abuelo as an astronaut as the two pretend to travel through outer space. With an in-person visit coming up, the youngster eagerly anticipates continuing their cosmic journey together. The child’s sister wants to join in on the fun. Feeling resentful, our hero tries to scare her away with stories of meteors and black holes, along with tossed objects and a dizzying spin on the tire swing. When the plan finally works, the child is quick to regret this unkindness. Reaching out to make amends, the youngster admits that sis, now proudly dubbed Hermanauta, is actually fun to play with. Siqueira’s bubbly prose pairs well with Freitas’ whimsical, colorful illustrations, which echo the narrative’s energetic pace. This warm family story thoughtfully captures the friction that arises when children must share the attention of a beloved family member, while celebrating the joy that comes from teamwork and imagination. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout. The children are brown-skinned with curly brown hair (as is one parent), while the other parent and Abuelo are pale-skinned.

A tender and lively story that celebrates the joy of turning sibling rivalry into shared adventure.