A child confronts conflicting feelings of embarrassment and love for her Mexican abuela in this moving, personal story from Newbery- and Pura Belpré Award–winning author Donna Barba Higuera
My abuela wears an old yellow handkerchief that her grandmother gave to her.
I don’t like the yellow handkerchief.
When a young girl feels ashamed of her family for being “different” and subconsciously blames her abuela, she gradually grows to not only accept but also love the yellow handkerchief that represents a language and culture that once brought embarrassment.
Inspired by the personal experiences of award-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and expressively illustrated by Cynthia Alonso, The Yellow Handkerchief is a lyrical, honest, and intimate intergenerational story about embracing who we are, where we come from, and the people who shape us.
Praise
***STARRED REVIEW***Booklist
"Spanish words are woven gracefully throughout...Inspired by Newbery medalist Higuera’s own childhood memories, this marvelous and moving picture book is an affecting tribute to the ties that bind."
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***STARRED REVIEW***
Higuera’s tight, insightful text, and Alonso’s playful digital illustrations—threaded with pink and purple—lighten an intensely personal-feeling exploration of shame and pride.
—Publishers Weekly
*****STARRED REVIEW*****
Alonso’s saturated, textured artwork brims with emotion. Her dynamic illustrations paired with evocative, purposeful prose convey the nuance of identity and young people’s often complicated feelings about their families and cultural backgrounds.
—Kirkus
