Abuelito

by Nelly Buchet, David Corredor Benavides, Ana Sanfelippo (Illustrations)

A story about coping with loss and the magical comfort of friendships, both old and new.



Alejo loved his Abuelo. They did everything together and were the best of friends. They had so much fun that one little neighbor couldn't help but notice and admire their strong bond. But one day, Abuelo wasn't there anymore. He got too sick to come home. Nothing makes Alejo feel better; doing all of things he used to do with Abuelo just makes him feel more lonely. But, maybe, just maybe, one special little neighbor can help.

This collaboration from debut author David Corredor Benavides and award-winning picture book writer Nelly Buchet tells a heartwarming story of beautiful friendships, of grieving and coping with the loss of a loved one, and supporting one another through gentle acts of kindness. Alejo's story was inspired by Corredor Benavides' unforgettable adventures with his own grandfather, as well as Buchet's admiration of such a magical relationship.

Genres: Picture Books, Latinx, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

About the author

Lover of dogs and dance. Author of 2021 Irma Black Award Winner and ALA Notable Children's Book CAT DOG DOG: The Story of a Blended Family (Random House Studio, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2020), the CAN'T DO board book series (Studio Press/ Bonnier UK, with art by Pau Morgan, 2021), HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PET BRAIN (Beaming Books, with art by Amy Jindra, 2022), ABUELITO (with David Corredor Benavides, Kind World Publishing, with art by Ana Sanfelippo, 2023) and A FRIEND LIKE NO OTTER (Union Square Kids, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2023).

Reviews

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Abuelito" by David Corredor Benavides and Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo, is a heartwarming story about friendship, loss, and finding a new connection.
The book follows the story of Alejo, a young boy who loves his grandfather and spends a lot of time with him. But at one time Alejo has to overcome the loss of his beloved Abuelo.

What stands out in this book are the poignant illustrations by Ana Sanfelippo, which beautifully capture the emotions and the story. Despite the heavy themes, the story is also filled with moments of hope and warmth. Alejo's friendship with the new neighbour shows that even in the midst of grief, new connections can be formed and how important they are.

Overall, "Abuelito" is touching. It is a great book for children who have experienced loss and are looking for a way to cope with the difficult emotions that come with it. I would recommend this book.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kind World Publishing for accepting my request to read and review Abuelito.

Author: Nelly Buchet; David Corredor Benavides
Published: 03/07/23
Genre: Children's Fiction -- OwnVoices -- Parenting & Families

A beautifully messaged story. After showing the relationship of a grandfather and grandson in very few words, the authors have an illness and death of the grandfather. It is beautifully written. Next, they explore grief and ultimately a friendship.

This is not a solution. Coping is not explored. This is a well-written conversation starter before illness and death. Likewise a friendship can be platonic between a girl and boy neighbor. Finally, I like to read, cook, and take walks alone.

I would gift this to parents, grandparents, and God parents.

[Hajar Zaied · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because, well, children's books are still entertaining to me -a 20 year old- and they also save time but still provide enjoyment.

I loved the picture arts that were in this book. They are simple and nice to look at.
The wordings are on point with nothing excessive therefore, very easy for children to process.
I also loved how the book tackles greif and loss for children. Turning it into a hopeful and happy story instead.
Also, the play on Spanish in the title and end were cute. It made me laugh.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for a review.

[Katherine Schauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is a short book about a boy who does almost everything with his grandfather (Abuelo), until one day his abuelo goes to the hospital and doesn't come home. He tries to do the same things he did with his abuelo alone, but it's just not the same. Then his neighbor steps in and he doesn't feel quite so alone anymore.

The language in this book was pretty simple so even young children should be able to understand what is going on. A budding reader may also be able to read it with minimal assistance.

The illustrations were bold and colorful, and had me questioning some things until close to the end. I seriously wondered why the grandfather was only spending time with his grandson and not the granddaughter that was literally watching from afar on every page. Then I found out she was just following them around (presumably) and wasn't related to them at all. I don't think I'd want to read this book too many times, but a few rereads wouldn't be awful. Overall I give this book 3.7 out of 5 stars.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Abuelito" is a heartwarming story that beautifully captures the unique bond between a grandfather and his grandson. In a literary landscape where such special relationships are rarely explored, this story stands out as a gem. The narrative unfolds with a tenderness that tugs at the heartstrings, celebrating the warmth and the depth of the intergenerational connection.

The illustrations in "Abuelito" are a feast for the eyes, vibrant and bathed in rich, warm tones that skillfully mirror the emotional nuances of the story. Each page is a visual delight, immersing the reader in the heartfelt narrative.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Abuelito" to readers of all ages. Its universal themes of love, connection, and the beauty of family resonate on a profound level. Whether you're a grandparent, a parent, or simply someone who appreciates a touching story, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

[Blade Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Abuelito’ is an Own Voices children’s picture book about Alejo and his Abuelo. It discusses familial relationships, coping with loss and supporting friendships.

This was both sweet and sad at the same time. The relationship between Alejo and his Abuelo was so sweet and heartwarming. The authors convey emotions really well in this story and it’s also partially based off David’s own experiences. The illustrations were really lovely too.

I think the overall message that this story gave was that having a good support system can get you through the saddest times and I think the authors portrayed this really well. I think this book could be a great tool to softly introduce children to grief and give advice on how to deal with that.

Representation - Colombian; Latino; POC

TWs/CWs - Grief; Illness; Loss of a Loved One

[MookNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alejo adored his grandfather. They spent lots of time together and shared many hobbies and adventures. When Abuelo passes away, Alejo tries to carry on, but cannot fill the void left by his loss. Love, support, and friends eventually help him find a way forward.

This is a simple, straightforward story about death and resilience for young readers. The tone and language are very direct which might be beneficial for little kids who tend to be more literal and wind up confused by the metaphorical language used to discuss death in some books. Children who are not native Spanish speakers might need the significance of the term "Abuelito" explained to them.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story about love and loss and friendship exudes a quiet warmth. In the best way, it shows rather than tells of the love between a boy and his grandfather, letting the reader (and another child in the story) feel that closeness. It's a special book that can be read again and again. It could be shared to open up conversation about a loss, in the classroom as a wonderful mentor text for writing about grandparents or other special people in a child's life, and as a lovely story about the healing power of friendship.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Sweet Story

Abuelito was such a sweet story! It's a story of love, making memories, cherishing the time we have with those that are special to us, dealing with loss and overcoming. However, it is told in such a beautiful and simple way that children can fully understand. The story, along with its beautiful illustrations, is sure to touch the reader's heartstrings, no matter the age.

I received a complimentary copy of the book via NetGalley. All comments and opinions stated are voluntary and completely my own.

[Suzan Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alejo and his grandfather do a number of activities together while the little girl from next door watches them. Things change when Alejo’s grandfather goes to the hospital. Alejo gains a new best friend.

The book describes an ideal relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent. Grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy reading this book together, and it definitely has a place in school libraries and the children’s section of public libraries.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a young man and his grandfather. They did everything together except school. They were each other’s everything until one day grandfather got sick and didn’t come home from the hospital. And life is sad, but there are ways to remember and ways to share that love with others. This book was very sweet and the illustrations Match it perfectly. It makes you smile and fond memories rather than tear up his sad memories which only the best books can do.

[Dyn✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure not everyone likes and ready to experience separation and sadness, especially when it comes to children. I've been thinking about this lately, when I'm sad I don't know how to get up, sometimes what I need is a helping hand from other people, who are able to understand us and want to help us. I'm glad Alejo has a neighbor who can be his Abuelito. We can also be Abuelito in other people's stories with our own kindness🤍

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, heartfelt story about the loving bond between a child and grandparent. Many children lose a loved one, and this book shows how life goes on, using straightforward language to describe the child's experience. It also offers one way to cope with grief by sharing experiences that used to be shared with the person the child lost with others, perhaps a special friend. It's one way to keep memories alive.

[Elizabeth Tirado]

From an early childhood education perspective, this book is an excellent resource for supporting social-emotional development and cultural awareness. It encourages discussions about family, aging, empathy, and the importance of treasuring time with loved ones. The use of Spanish terms of endearment, like Abuelito, adds cultural richness and provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate bilingualism and Latinx family traditions.

[Kimberly Zavala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and simple story of a young boy and his bestfriend, his Abuelo, who do everything together until one day that all changes. Colorful illustrations tell a subplot that contributes to the resolution of the plot. The images are helpful for inferencing questions with children and discussion of illustrations.

[Candy Wellins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved Saturdays Are For Stella, then you’ll also love Abuelito. It’s another sweet story about the bond between grandparents and grandkids and the grief that exists because those bonds always break far sooner than we wish. The writing is kid-centric and deals with heavy matter in a gentle way and the illustrations are superb.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful narrative about the special relationship between a grandfather and grandson will have all readers experiencing the big feelings. ABUELITO's adorable illustrations and engaging text will be the perfect conversation starters with themes about family, traditions, friendships, similarities and yes, goodbyes. Highly recommended for readers of all ages!

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abuelito is a tender story about inter-generational friendship and admiration. I really loved seeing all the fun activities Alejo and his Abuelo did together. It is also a story about loss and grief, and beautifully shows how you can honor someone’s life in a unique way. The illustrations and crisp and bright, brining an extra layer of life to this sweet story.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm story of a child who loves his grandfather, grief, new friendships, and brighter days ahead. This book handles loss in a kid-friendly way. The bright color block illustrations go beautifully with the sparse, poignant text.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[sarahjanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i sob cried reading this book to my little brother

[ikableu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a touching story about a boy who lose his grandad. Kinda remind me of my own daughters since they’re so close with their grandad. It shows you that it is okay to make a new friend eventho they’ll not be the same.

[Sophie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely, heartwarming story of the relationship between a grandfather and grandson. I love books that have a strong intergenerational relationship and this one is no exception. The boy and his grandfather share many experiences together and make lots of memories: making lemonade, reading, biking and hiking, cooking and baking. It’s lovely to see how close they are. The story enables the reader to understand what it might feel like after the loss of a loved one. It doesn’t explicitly say that the grandfather has died but it does open up the opportunity to discuss what has happened and how life might be a little different. The little boy tries to carry on doing what he did with his grandfather but realises it’s not much fun on your own and so finds comfort in sharing the activities he did with his grandfather with a friend. He shows her the things his grandfather shared with him and so becomes a little aubuelito himself. This is a lovely book to share with littles both at home and it the classroom.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kind World Publishing for a copy of "Abuelito" in exchange for my honest review.

This book is intended for the 4 to 8 year old age group - though it can be used as a teaching tool for other ages as well. The themes that are found in the book are grandparents, death, multi-generational relationships, kindness, support, loss, grief, and friendship. This book can open many different lines of communication with children.

The characters are cute and relatable. The artwork is detailed. It helps parents, caregivers and teachers teach children to cope with loss. Aljeo loved his Abuelo because they did everything together - they picked lemons, planted a tree, read books, told jokes, did push-ups, built forts, biked, played soccer, hiked and cooked dinner. One day Abuelo gets sick and doesn't come home from the hospital. Aljeo misses his Abuelo every day. He makes up stories about why he wasn't home - thinking that he will be home soon. He places a photo of his Abuelo at the dinner table. But nothing seems to help him with missing his Abuelo. Doing things that he used to do with him don't help because they are not fun alone. He soon realizes that a special friend that understands how he misses his Abuelo could help him.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!

This is a very cute and also sad story. My grandfathers are both dead so I really felt connected to this book. I wish I had more memories with them. This book will be emotional for children but just the right amount. Children feel grief too. I hope this book helps all of them.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

A heartwarming book that celebrates the special bond between grandfather and grandchild... well, almost. It's over-simplistic and doesn't live up to its potential. Cute illustrations though.

- Doesn't talk about how to navigate grief

- One-dimensional take on being alone (there's a difference between being alone and loneliness): I disagree with the book that doing things alone isn't fun

- I couldn't tell the little girl was a neighbour at all until I finished the book and went to read the synopsis. She seemed more like a forgotten grandchild in the background.

Thank you to Kind World Publishing for the Netgalley ARC.

[Carlee Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story of a boy and his abuel0. It talks about them doing almost everything together, and then tells of the time that the boy's grandfather does not come home from the hospital. It highlights healing and moving on to do things with other friends. Overall, this was a sweet and short story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital advanced copy!

[Irishbookmammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful story of relationships, family, loss and self discovery. Alejo who loves his grandfather and they do everything together is heartbroken when his grandfather ends up in hospital and doesn't come home. He struggles with the loneliness until he finds a friend that helps him through it all. It's a very simple story with heavier undertones. A nice story, lacking a bit of context and detail but a nice idea.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing someone close to you is hard, moreover if you're not old enough to process the loss. This book can help younger kids cope with that, understanding and grieving at the same time. And like Alejo, find someone to share it with. A great book and inspiring, with fun illustration.

[Janet Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of intergenerational love and friendship and the loss of these. Accessible and beautifully illustrated. Warmth radiates from the pages. Thanks to Netgalley