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Abuelos
Il sole tramonta alla stessa ora per tutte le persone che vivono a Bombay. Rientrando a casa, quando ormai è sera, alcune di loro potranno aprire i rubinetti per lavarsi e preparare la cena. Altre, la maggior parte, non avendo rubinetti, né scorte d’acqua, dovranno condividere con tutta la famiglia l’acqua dei secchi che hanno riempito alle fontane pubbliche.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 10, 2020
Beautifully touching
August 10, 2020
Part of what I really liked about this book is that the only two characters are grandparents, but there are no granchildren in the story. Because grandparents (and parents) are people first- people with a very loving relationship in this case- and whose lives don't revolve around the children. I love that. I don't think kids think about grownups having lives and relationships- this presents a little glimpse into that, and it's a very sweet glimpse. I wish that all children could see relationships like this modeled for them in real life- a love that lasts decades and isn't superficial. Very sweet!
May 4, 2019
Porque o amor não deve ser cantado apenas quando é novo e excitante "Avós" de Chema Heras e ilustrado por Rosa Osuna festeja o amor enrugado como as nozes de uma tarte e de olhos tão tristes quanto as estrelas da noite. E, no fim, a constatação de que, às vezes, estamos tão focados nos nossos problemas ou imperfeições trazidos pela idade que nem nos damos conta de que o parceiro que escolhemos para a vida está exactamente como nós!
March 19, 2021
Translated from Spanish by Elisa Amado, this is a sweet story of enduring love between two elderly people who are deeply content with their lot.
When Manuel is outside working the allotment he hears a passing car blaring out an invitation for the community to attend an evening's party in the main square. Excited of the prospect of dancing the night away with his wife, he hurries over to her only to find she doesn't feel beautiful enough to go out.
Manuel challenges each of her self-doubts assuring her that she is perfect. The play between Manuela's self-doubt and Manuel's adoration builds up with repeating refrains until Grandma concedes and both spend a glorious evening dancing under the stars. The penultimate spread is absolutely beautiful with a montage of pencil sketches of how, through the years, Manuel and Manuela have loved and supported each other.
The expressions on both grandparents' faces are sweet and it's oddly refreshing to have a picturebook with no children leading the story. A tender little tale.
When Manuel is outside working the allotment he hears a passing car blaring out an invitation for the community to attend an evening's party in the main square. Excited of the prospect of dancing the night away with his wife, he hurries over to her only to find she doesn't feel beautiful enough to go out.
Manuel challenges each of her self-doubts assuring her that she is perfect. The play between Manuela's self-doubt and Manuel's adoration builds up with repeating refrains until Grandma concedes and both spend a glorious evening dancing under the stars. The penultimate spread is absolutely beautiful with a montage of pencil sketches of how, through the years, Manuel and Manuela have loved and supported each other.
The expressions on both grandparents' faces are sweet and it's oddly refreshing to have a picturebook with no children leading the story. A tender little tale.
September 11, 2024
I adore this precious book that shows a couple "aging gracefully" and having fun on a night out. The pictures are just so very sweet. I think this picture book captures a cultural lens that is beautiful!
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July 26, 2018Feliz día de los Abuelos para todos los que los tengan aún 🤗
July 12, 2020
When Grandfather hears an announcement of a party in the main square, he knows just who to invite. He rushes home to ask his wife, Manuela, to join him. But Manuela isn’t quite as eager as he is to head to a party. Grandfather picks Grandmother a flower and tells her how beautiful she is. Grandmother heads inside to put on eyeliner, then mascara, then skin cream, but each time Grandfather tells her that she is lovely just the way she is and to hurry up so they can go dancing! Lipstick, hair dye and a change of clothes are the next delays, but Grandfather is ready to cajole Grandmother along. Finally, the two of them go dancing together, and Grandmother realizes that Grandfather is just as beautiful as the moon too.
First published in Portuguese, this charming picture book explores the power of love and of being oneself. Heras uses a series of metaphors to describe Grandmother’s beauty. Her eyes are “as sad and beautiful as stars at night.” Her white hair is like “a midsummer cloud” and her skin is wrinkly like “nuts in a pie.” Grandmother herself uses negative metaphors to describe herself, but those are all countered by Grandfather’s love and adoration for her.
The illustrations are quirky and interesting, filled with surreal combinations of spaces and objects. As they are together in the house, the couple sometimes appear sideways or upside down as well as right-side-up nearby.
A warm and lovely look at love and self-esteem. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
First published in Portuguese, this charming picture book explores the power of love and of being oneself. Heras uses a series of metaphors to describe Grandmother’s beauty. Her eyes are “as sad and beautiful as stars at night.” Her white hair is like “a midsummer cloud” and her skin is wrinkly like “nuts in a pie.” Grandmother herself uses negative metaphors to describe herself, but those are all countered by Grandfather’s love and adoration for her.
The illustrations are quirky and interesting, filled with surreal combinations of spaces and objects. As they are together in the house, the couple sometimes appear sideways or upside down as well as right-side-up nearby.
A warm and lovely look at love and self-esteem. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
March 18, 2014
Un cuento tan bonito como la luna, tan bonito como el sol, como la hierba recién cortada, tan bonito como el amor que nunca pasa, como el amor eterno, como el amor después de toda una vida compartiendo ese amor. Chema Heras hace un canto al amor en la edad madura, al amor que comprende, que cuida de la pareja, que acompaña. Un libro magnífico, que logra emocionar. Las ilustraciones sensacionales de Rosa Osuna, con varias lecturas, acompañan al texto de forma magistral a la vez que lo amplían de contenido.
Para niños y adultos.
Para niños y adultos.
August 14, 2020
Hm. I never quite know what to think about books like these - this book is a good one for adults.
The story is of an older man and older woman, wherein the older man wants to go to a party and the older woman spends the book disparaging herself and her looks. It's implied that her feelings about herself are due to her old age, but it's never spoken aloud. We're never actually told whether or not grandma does use the makeup she says she needs to look acceptable, but the end is sweet, as the grandpa tells the grandma how much he adores her looks, despite her perceived flaws.
While I think it's a nice story for those of us who have our own insecurities, I always feel a bit awkward recommending books like these to children. How many of the children that hear this book might think, "wait, are MY eyes sad without eyeliner? are MY legs too skinny? are MY lips dry as a desert without lipstick?"
I just don't want to instill insecurities into children that they didn't know were insecurities, you know?
The story is of an older man and older woman, wherein the older man wants to go to a party and the older woman spends the book disparaging herself and her looks. It's implied that her feelings about herself are due to her old age, but it's never spoken aloud. We're never actually told whether or not grandma does use the makeup she says she needs to look acceptable, but the end is sweet, as the grandpa tells the grandma how much he adores her looks, despite her perceived flaws.
While I think it's a nice story for those of us who have our own insecurities, I always feel a bit awkward recommending books like these to children. How many of the children that hear this book might think, "wait, are MY eyes sad without eyeliner? are MY legs too skinny? are MY lips dry as a desert without lipstick?"
I just don't want to instill insecurities into children that they didn't know were insecurities, you know?
December 22, 2020
This is a completely heartwarming book and it's impossible not to love these two elderly characters. I'm pretty sure very few children will appreciate this book as an adult would. The tenderness of it requires a maturity of years that the intended audience doesn't have. That said, I found their relationship between the man and woman lovely. His love for her is strong, even though she constantly lists her shortcomings. These self-criticisms went on well beyond necessity for making the point, which cost my rating a star.
April 14, 2021
If anyone ever asks me for a picture book romance I will be grateful to have this title in my back pocket. Incredibly sweet, Manuel hears of a dance in the town and wants to take his wife. Manuela feels like she needs to spruce herself up beforehand, but over the course of her preparation, Manuel convinces her that she is beautiful as is.
Just adorable.
Just adorable.
January 9, 2025
I hope someday when my husband and I are old we have a love like this.
An elderly man wants to go dancing with his wife, but she is taking forever to get ready because she doesn't think she looks beautiful anymore. But on every page the husband tells the wife how beautiful she is. This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful story!
An elderly man wants to go dancing with his wife, but she is taking forever to get ready because she doesn't think she looks beautiful anymore. But on every page the husband tells the wife how beautiful she is. This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful story!
September 24, 2020
Grandfather (Manuel) wants Grandmother (Manuela) to go to the dance but she says no. First she's too old, then she's too wrinkly and then and then and then... Grandfather let's her know each time that she is beautiful and loved and eventually they go to dance!
November 20, 2023
I loved this book that shows an elderly couple who have loved each other through many years and situations and still encourage each other… and I love that children will read this wonderful love story. I hope it inspires many similar couples.
July 4, 2020
Charming book about cute grandparents! Reminded me of my mom and dad, who are the sweetest grandparents ever.
July 22, 2020
Read English translation.
July 30, 2020
I loved the illustrations and as I was reading it I kept thinking it seemed universal.
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October 3, 2020A beautiful exploration
of grandparents just
being people on the
Earth with all the doubt,
joy and acceptance that an
come with it.
Beautiful!
of grandparents just
being people on the
Earth with all the doubt,
joy and acceptance that an
come with it.
Beautiful!
October 12, 2020
This is an incredibly sweet book about the long-lasting love of grandparents to each other.
Good for preschool or older kid storytimes.
Good for preschool or older kid storytimes.
October 13, 2020
I'm not convinced that each child will get the meaning of this book, but I think it will certainly reach many. It is so touching.
October 31, 2020
very cute
December 17, 2020
Grandfather invites grandmother to go dancing. She thinks she has to change how she looks but grandpa tells her she is beautiful just as she is.
February 6, 2021
tender and touching
March 2, 2021
This picture book is now available for loan in the SEC at Harcourt Hill Library.
March 10, 2021
So adorable!
May 7, 2021
A poetic paean to growing old together. This one will likely find more love from adult audiences than kids, but who knows?
May 29, 2021
Interesting and great structure. I just wonder who this is for. It does not feel geared towards children. But I love the sentiment and as a grandparent, I appreciate the theme.
July 23, 2021
Un libro muy bonito para hablar de la vejez
October 5, 2021
Sweet, I'm just not of fan of the repeat-y+type picture books.
August 16, 2022
A little tongue twisty but still cute!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews