Book Review: Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald no combina

I'm so excited to review this book during Latina's 4 Latino Literature and Mommy Maestra's launch of the Blog Hop with Latino authors and illustrators! Diego and I have been reading Monica Brown's bilingual book Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combinaover and over. 

We identify with the book, especially Diego (Mexican-American born in Japan)! Insisting on taking tortillas to school with his ham and cheese, Diego loves how Marisol, a little Peruvian-Scotish-American girl, spreads peanut butter on her burrito! She doesn't care what people will say, she does things her way, a little mixing and matching from both her parents' cultural influences and her American upbringing. Not everyone is so understanding of Marisol's differences though. Her red hair and brown skin don't "match." Even her cousin doesn't get it! She chooses to wear polka-dots with stripes, uses print and cursive handwriting together, and her ideas of playtime and art are different too. Marisol starts to believe that she should just be like everyone else, until her teacher writes her a special note pointing out the importance of her uniqueness. 

Oh, how Diego loves that the teacher is also multi-cultural (he is convinced she is half Japanese). Her heartfelt note to Marisol hits close to home. I really appreciate that the author included that being bilingual is special too. Marisol goes on her way to surprise the readers with yet another unique choice. You have to get the book to find out! This had us both laughing out loud.

The illustrator, Sara Palacios, does an incredible job with the art work. Not only is the text in Spanish and English, but the pictures include a sprinkle of Spanish notes taped to the refrigerator in Marisol's house, English labels on her food products, and cazuelas acting as "souvenirs" from Peru; it reminds me of our home!

 

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combinais a great book for multi-cultural families, bilingual homes or for anyone who often feels a little unique. Diego and I recommend it wholeheartedly! Enjoy!

Disclosure: Amazon links are my Amazon affiliate links. 

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Betty Galvan, is helping her readers "find the positive and seek the benefits" over at her blog, MyFriendBettySays.com.

She is the mother of three beautiful little boys and a teacher.