LITTLE MAMÁ FORGETS

A Mexican-American grandmother may be getting a bit forgetful, but she still remembers what’s really important. In the mornings, Lucy’s grandmother, “Little Mama,” sometimes calls her “little Luciana” and forgets the bread is toasting, but she remembers to tickle Lucy and pour lots of cream on her rice pudding. Little Mama may forget how to tie her shoes, but she remembers how to button her satin dancing slippers when she twirls with Lucy. On the way to the park, Little Mama often forgets directions, but she remembers perfectly how to skip, laugh and sing. Everyday Little Mama forgets “names and places and people and words,” but she never forgets to tuck Lucy in at night “with a song and a kiss.” Brimming with patterns and colors reminiscent of Mexican folk art, the brilliant illustrations accentuate Little Mama’s zest for living, while celebrating Mexican-American family life. Lucy’s tender and loving kinship with “Little Mama” gently extols the importance of memory and intergenerational relationships. Warm and wise. (glossary of Spanish words and phrases) (Picture book. 4-8)