Ana (Latina) spends her day before and after school with her apartment building neighbor, Señora Mimí, while her mother is at work. “Señora Mimí has a two-tooth baby named Nelson and a no-tooth dog named Pancho, who likes buttered crackers as much as I do.” Ana and Señora Mimí’s relationship is one of warmth, familiarity, and loving routines; they even have matching hand-knitted sweaters Señora Mimí made. On this day, Ana is excited because her abuela is coming to live with her and her mother; Abuela will also become Ana’s babysitter. It isn’t until a classmate points out that there will be no more Señora Mimí once her abuela arrives that Ana’s enthusiasm deflates. Sitting with her sadness while hiding beneath Señora Mimí’s table after school, Ana knows that nothing will be the same. Señora Mimí sits with Ana to share her own sadness, but also celebrate the specialness of abuelas, and makes clear she still wants Ana to visit. Soon, Ana is listing all of the things to tell Abuela about Señora Mimí, as well as making plans for her and Abuela to visit Señora Mimí every afternoon for a snack. Warm digital illustrations add gentle sprinkles of visual humor and story-enhancing details to a picture book narrative that honors the emotions of a young child processing a big childcare transition, with wonderful, realistic details. A reassuring closing image shows Ana’s plans for regular visits have come to fruition. (Ages 3-7)

From Newbery Medalist Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, comes a poignant salute to the caregivers who enter a child's tender world.

Ana cannot contain her excitement--her abuela is coming to stay with her and Mami for always! Abuela is sure to let Ana play whenever she wants instead of rushing her off to school, like her neighbor and babysitter, señora Mimí, sometimes does. In fact, as Ana's classmate points out, she won't need señora Mimí to babysit at all anymore! But señora Mimí is a good listener, and they have a lot of fun together feeding the squirrels and eating snacks. Maybe Ana isn't ready to say goodbye to señora Mimí just yet? Masterful storyteller Meg Medina shares a reassuring tale that celebrates caregivers and community and their special role in children's lives, paired with warm, expressive illustrations by Brittany Cicchese.