By Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
Athenium Books for Young Readers, 2021
Picture book, 40 pages, ages 4-8
Looking out the window, Gabo sees kids from his new school sledding down the hill and wants to join them. But he is shy. And he doesn’t have a big enough hat or waterproof boots. And he doesn’t have a sled.
“Vamos a resolver,” Mami says. And they do find a solution to the problem.
A warm winter tale about community and self-discovery.
With the help of Mami’s ingenuity, Madrina’s gift, Sancho’s enthusiastic greeting, and Isa’s imagination, Gabo can go outside, find the courage to speak up, share, and sled down the hill. And maybe even make a new friend.
For any kid who has ever spent an afternoon in the snow, this multilingual book will be a hit. For any kid who has had to make do, this story will be totally relatable, no matter what language they speak. (Kids at heart can also relate – I not-so-fondly remember wearing plastic bags over my shoes to go sledding, and the ensuing battle to walk upright and keep them on your feet!)
And any kid who is shy – really shy – will find a hero in Gabo. Having also been a quiet and shy kid, I completely relate to Gabo’s struggle and wish there would have been more books like this when I was growing up. (Picture books featuring shy characters are uncommon.) The conflict in the story is all internal – there is no external conflict. All the characters in his community are friendly and welcoming. Gabo has to overcome his shyness by himself. Though he is gently encouraged by friends and family, he is not coerced nor is he made to feel ashamed because he is shy. He wants to speak up and does so when he feels safe.
The authentic voice, slice-of-life writing, and highly textured and patterned illustrations make this Hispanic family’s home and community come alive. All the characters feel real and natural. The predominantly warm color palette might seem an odd choice for a winter setting, but it works beautifully and helps us see what might be familiar things through Gabo’s eyes. They are unfamiliar to him and we discover them with him.
Note: the book does not contain a glossary or translations of the Spanish words found in the story. However, the context will make the meaning clear to non-Spanish speakers.
A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy gets 5 stars from this reviewer.