By Vanessa Pardo-Suazo
In a world often pressuring us to choose one culture, Gloriana, Presente: A First Day of School Story does exactly the opposite. In this beautifully illustrated book, author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris takes us on a journey navigating two worlds at the same time. The story unfolds in a rhythmic dance between English and Spanish without missing a beat. We are transported between the Bronx and the Dominican Republic within seconds.
Out on July 9 from Christy Ottaviano Books (Little Brown), Gloriana, Presente is a vibrant story about the immigrant experience through the eyes of a young girl starting elementary school, and the guidance she receives from her grandmother. It also captures the importance of Abuelas in Latin communities, as well as the bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother.
As Gloriana and Abuela walk to school, surfing down the street hand in hand, the young girl listens to her grandmother share stories from their family’s home in la República Dominicana. Abuela attempts to soothe Gloriana with stories of trees, mangos and beaches. “On our island, the tall trees dance con el viento, filling my basket with mangoes, aguacates y cocos,” Gloriana’s grandmother tells her in the book.
Reynoso-Morris does an effective job at displaying Gloriana’s struggle to balance and navigate two worlds on her first day of school. Eventually, the young girl finds her voice and discovers her personal strength.
The acrylic illustrations by award-winning artist Doris Rodríguez marry the beauty of the Dominican Republic with the concrete streets of the Bronx. Readers are able to follow the images as they unfold the story of two worlds becoming one. Loss, hope, new beginnings, culture, connection and love can be felt throughout the pages.
This book is a great bedtime story for millennial parents and their children. It captures the memories from home with details we can all feel, smell and taste. Although I am not an immigrant, I relate to the experiences of immigration through my family and friends. And as a bilingual woman, I have been in Gloriana’s shoes.
I am proud to read a book that allows a young Latina girl to be her own hero. It was refreshing to read a story in which a young heroine finds her strength through the love and inspiration of her Abuela. Gloriana is able to push past her fears and hang on to her essence and share her truth with her classmates.
Reynoso-Morris’ descriptions allow the reader to become one with the island. Rodríguez beautifully captures the poetic flow of the words. The book is written in a repetitive form that is easy to follow. As a reader, I was excited to witness Gloriana find her voice.
Have you ever wondered what it is like navigating two worlds at the same time? Gloriana, Presente gives you a first-hand look at navigating more than one culture and working toward newfound confidence. It’s a story that transcends generations. This story allows you to stand in the shoes of a young girl bravely choosing to share her culture while embracing a new one. Gloriana is in fact, Presente.
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Visit our Bookshop to purchase a copy of Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Story.
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About the Author:
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is an Afro-Latine Dominican and Puerto Rican author, mother, and community organizer. Alyssa was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner and daughter. She has worked with community members, nonprofit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. She invites you to visit her online at alyssaauthor.com
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About the Illustrator:
Doris Rodríguez is an educator and award-winning artist born in the Dominican Republic and currently living in New York City. She holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design and a master’s in arts education from Florida International University. She draws inspiration from life’s journeys and believes in the power of art to heal and uplift, an ethos which is reflected in her vibrant paintings. Doris invites you to visit her online at www.dorisr.com.
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Vanessa Pardo-Suazo is a first-generation Latina-American. She was born and raised in Washington Heights, NY. She has a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in School Psychology, from Brooklyn College. In 2020, she parted ways with the NYC Department of Education in which she served the public-school community as a Bilingual School Psychologist for over five years, in order to be present for her family and herself. Vanessa is a full-time mom, wife and storyteller dedicated to evolving generational cycles.
Vanessa currently resides in Arizona with her three toddler boys and amazing husband.
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