MAMI'S MAGIC WORDS

There’s something special about the way Mami uses language.

At school, Ms. Hernandez asks the class to complete a worksheet with their favorite Spanish words—the ones that remind them of things they love. The young narrator quickly thinks of vocabulary that family members use at home, like poloché. Borrowed from English and reshaped through Dominican Spanish, these playful words have become part of the family’s everyday language. But when the child writes it down, Ms. Hernandez says it isn’t a real Spanish word. The youngster feels confused. At home, Mami explains that words are gifts passed down by loved ones and that they carry family history and care. Encouraged, the child holds onto that sense of magic. The next day, the protagonist bravely writes “poloché” on the board. That choice inspires classmates to share their own special family words and even encourages Ms. Hernandez to remember a magic word from her own mamá. Valdez has crafted an earnest story about the ways language connects us to family, culture, and memory. The protagonist’s resolve is inspiring, and Sánchez Ayala’s color-soaked illustrations emphasize the joys of heritage. Mami and the protagonist are Latine and brown-skinned.

A heartfelt celebration of the words families create and the sense of belonging they engender.