Lupita's hurricane palomitas

Lupita grows nervous as a hurricane approaches her town. Big worries fly through her head: "Would the storm gobble them up? Would their house fly away?" Lupita's parents try to alleviate some of her fears through preparedness. As the adults shutter windows and bring in planters, Lupita discovers that two palomitas (baby pigeons) have blown out of their nest. With wind and rain setting in, Lupita scoops up the birds and runs inside, placing them in a shoebox nest. Lupita's loving character shines as she cares for the birds, an act that helps distract and calm her. Her mom and dad also help their little girl feel safe by entertaining her with board games, music, and delicious cupcakes until they all must huddle in a closet. Kanavaliuk captures all in a tropical pastel palette that darkens with the inclement weather and emits warmth during the tender family scenes. The story realistically follows the progression of hurricanes' impact on communities, from the dangers and moments of fear to the sunshine and cleanup after the storm passes.

Gr 1--5--A hurricane is coming, and Lupita is scared. She hates hurricanes. While she and her family are preparing, Lupita discovers two baby pigeons, or palomitas, without their mother. Worried for their safety, Lupita takes them in. Lupita's family prepares for the hurricane by adding shutters to windows and having a plan. When the storm gets worse and they hear sirens, they go into the closet with a flashlight. Both Alessandri with words and Kanavaliuk through the illustrations appealingly convey how Lupita and her family keep busy by caring for the baby birds and spending time with one another. Though things get scary and rebuilding is needed, there is a rainbow and the return of mother bird by the end of the day. Depicting the chaos of the situation and the bonds of family with equal fervor, the book's message of working through a crisis can be applied to many situations; this is a great demonstration on how to be prepared in emergencies and the anxiety that comes with it. VERDICT Add this reassuring title to the SEL shelves for helping elementary children understand that bad things happen, but they pass.--Ruth Guerrier-Pierre

Lupita grows nervous as a hurricane approaches her town. Big worries fly through her head: "Would the storm gobble them up? Would their house fly away?" Lupita's parents try to alleviate some of her fears through preparedness. As the adults shutter windows and bring in planters, Lupita discovers that two palomitas (baby pigeons) have blown out of their nest. With wind and rain setting in, Lupita scoops up the birds and runs inside, placing them in a shoebox nest. Lupita's loving character shines as she cares for the birds, an act that helps distract and calm her. Her mom and dad also help their little girl feel safe by entertaining her with board games, music, and delicious cupcakes until they all must huddle in a closet. Kanavaliuk captures all in a tropical pastel palette that darkens with the inclement weather and emits warmth during the tender family scenes. The story realistically follows the progression of hurricanes' impact on communities, from the dangers and moments of fear to the sunshine and cleanup after the storm passes. Preschool-Grade 2. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 1–5—A hurricane is coming, and Lupita is scared. She hates hurricanes. While she and her family are preparing, Lupita discovers two baby pigeons, or palomitas, without their mother. Worried for their safety, Lupita takes them in. Lupita's family prepares for the hurricane by adding shutters to windows and having a plan. When the storm gets worse and they hear sirens, they go into the closet with a flashlight. Both Alessandri with words and Kanavaliuk through the illustrations appealingly convey how Lupita and her family keep busy by caring for the baby birds and spending time with one another. Though things get scary and rebuilding is needed, there is a rainbow and the return of mother bird by the end of the day. Depicting the chaos of the situation and the bonds of family with equal fervor, the book's message of working through a crisis can be applied to many situations; this is a great demonstration on how to be prepared in emergencies and the anxiety that comes with it. VERDICT Add this reassuring title to the SEL shelves for helping elementary children understand that bad things happen, but they pass.—Ruth Guerrier-Pierre