Not Far from Here

Description

A debut author and an award-winning illustrator unite to craft an entirely bilingual ode to the amor, courage, and memories we carry from one generation to the next, from one country to another.

We worked and worked
juntos
para realizar el sueño
Nuestra familia . . .
nos superamos
as individuals
and
together

Mamá tells her children a story that began when their papá was a niño, not far from here. Their abuelitas told stories of their antepasados, and their abuelo, a blacksmith, taught their papá how to make art from earth and fire. When abuelo died, papá took all those lessons to heart and crossed la frontera to el norte to follow his sueños. There, he worked and overcame barriers, known to many immigrants alike, to forge his own obra maestra: a familia and a future in which anything is possible. Debut author Nydia Armendia-Sánchez relays a story of immigration, creativity, and comunidad through a translanguage text that moves naturally from English to español and back in a manner that will be familiar to many second and third generations of Latine families—and evocative to immigrant families of any heritage. Brilliantly brought to life by Devon Holzwarth’s rich, imaginative illustrations, this warm abrazo of a book features a glossary of Spanish words.“A lovely tribute to immigrants and creativity.” —Margarita Engle, Young People’s Poet Laureate Emerita and author of the Newbery Honor Book The Surrender Tree
 
“A powerful and poetic combination of English and español that celebrates familia and the immigrant experience.” —Duncan Tonatiuh, author-illustrator of Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner
 
“A beautiful intergenerational story of hope, courage, and love in the search for a vida mejor for those who will come after. Both the words and the stunning art in this book will open the heart of every reader.” —Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Author Award winner and author of Tía Fortuna’s New Home

“Not Far from Here is a gentle ode to family, identity, and the people and places that shape us. Armendia-Sánchez’s lyrical bilingual text and Holzwarth’s softly glowing illustrations bubble with warmth, like a pot simmering in abuela’s cozy cocina. The book reminds us that when we hold our memories and loved ones close, our comunidad isn’t lost—only replanted.” —Anika Aldamuy Denise, author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, a Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book

“Nydia and Devon have weaved together a work of art, each line and each stroke infused with the richness that only third-culture children everywhere have. It makes you both long for home and crave the future, drawing a beautiful balance difficult to achieve, in much-needed paper form.” —Erika Meza, author-illustrator of To the Other Side
 
“A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated ode to the journey of forging dreams into reality while building community and a bilingual familia . . . not far from here.” —Cynthia Harmony, author of A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration
 
“This beautifully illustrated picture book tells a heartwarming story about the experiences and bumps in the road of those who leave their home countries to find a place where they can grow and that will bring out the best in them.” —Flavia Z. Drago, author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
 
“A lovely tribute to immigrants and creativity.” —Margarita Engle, Young People’s Poet Laureate Emerita and author of the Newbery Honor Book The Surrender Tree

“Not Far from Here is a poignant and heartfelt story of a young Latinx/Latine family sharing memories with their children of generational origins, solo migrations, new beginnings, challenging work, earnest connections, and family love. It is a journey where we find themes of openness, inclusion, hope, and courage. Beautifully portrayed, each illustrated scene brims with color, displaying creativity and a sense of wonder. It is an exquisite compliment of story and art showcasing a wonderfully shared yet personal experience of love, inspiration, and home.” —John Parra, illustrator of Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor Book
“A long warm hug lleno de amor.” —Ernesto Cisneros, author of Efrén Divided, a Pura Belpré Author Award winner
 
“A beautiful book that is a window into journeys, dreams, and love—and an invitation to share our own experiences with our families.” —Raúl the Third, author-illustrator of ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge, a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner
 
“Not Far from Here is a beautifully written and illustrated meditation on family, migration, and storytelling itself. Children will enjoy this sweet intergenerational story of hard work, belonging, and love—near or far from the places we once called home.” —Monica Brown, author of Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
 
“Not Far from Here beautifully captures the essence of family. Where you come from is important, and as mamá tells the story of papá’s journey, we are reminded that our origins shape not only our past but also our present. While Nydia Armendia-Sánchez paints a vivid portrait of the sights, sounds, and flavors of papá’s homeland and family, Devon Holzwarth’s richly colored illustrations breathe life into the characters and settings and take us along this beautiful journey. In the end, Nydia shows us the importance of embracing our differences, breaking barriers, and sharing our stories so that we too can inspire others.” —Tania de Regil, author-illustrator of Something About Grandma

“Readers will keep Nydia Armendia-Sánchez’s melodic debut Not Far from Here close to their hearts. Through text flowering with Spanish words and phrases and dreamy illustrations by Devon Holzwarth, both creators paint a beautiful multigenerational immigrant story of love. A mom snuggles her children in her lap as she speaks of how her husband grew up abroad, how he followed his dreams to the United States, and how they finally met. Grown-up readers will want to snuggle with their own children to share their own origin stories. In concert, Armendia-Sánchez’s lovely lyrical storytelling and Holzwarth’s breathtaking art transport the reader back in time and home again, linking past and present with pride.” —NoNieqa Ramos, author of Your MamaNydia Armendia-Sánchez is a children’s book author and a We Need Diverse Books Walter Grant finalist. She strives for inclusivity and diversity in all her creative endeavors and draws inspiration for her libros from her children as well as her Guatemalan and Basque heritage. Not Far from Here is her first book. Nydia Armendia-Sánchez lives in California.

Devon Holzwarth is the author-illustrator of Found You and the illustrator of Everywhere with You by Carlie Sorosiak, Papa, Daddy, and Riley by Seamus Kirst, and Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker, a Schneider Family Book Award winner. She grew up in Panama with the jungle as her garden and parrots and iguanas as pets. Devon Holzwarth currently lives in Germany.US

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