Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book

Enter the classroom in this joyful story of growth that will help new students find their voice. With Spanish words throughout the text, this radiant picture book is perfect for fans of Mango, Abuela, and Me.
 
On the first day of elementary school, Abuela soothes Gloriana’s nerves by telling her stories from their family home in la República Dominicana. But as soon as Gloriana enters the classroom, the tropical scenery crumbles and la música is replaced with English phrases she does not understand. When other kids approach her to play at recess, she freezes, uncertain about how to exist between her two homes, or how to make new friends between her two languages. Abuela recognizes echoes of her own immigration journey on this challenging day at school, and she gently guides Gloriana towards newfound confidence. This beautifully painted, imaginative picture book celebrates the magic of existing in-between, and the transformative power of self-soothing to build confidence.

Gloriana, presente. De la República Dominicana al Bronx

Una historia multicultural que ayudará a los más pequeños a sentirse cómodos en sus nuevas escuelas y a descubrir las alegrías que pueden encontrar en las nuevas comunidades. Un álbum ilustrado lleno de imaginación, que celebra el poder del amor.
 
Gloriana está nerviosa. Es su primer día en la escuela primaria. Su abuela la calma contándole historias sobre su hogar en la República Dominicana. Pero tan pronto Gloriana entra al salón de clases, sus recuerdos del paisaje tropical se desvanecen y empieza a escuchar frases en inglés que ella no comprende.
 
Cuando los niños se acercan para invitarla a jugar, Gloriana se paraliza. Se siente insegura. ¿Cómo existir entre lugares e idiomas tan diferentes? ¿Cómo hacer nuevos amigos hablando dos idiomas? Abuela reconoce ecos de su propio viaje como emigrante en ese primer día de escuela de Gloriana, y la guía para que descubra la confianza en sí misma y en sus culturas.

PRAISE & AWARDS

This heartwarming bilingual tale beautifully captures the anxieties and triumphs of a young girl on her first day of school. As Gloriana walks to school with her abuela, she listens to comforting stories of their homeland, the Dominican Republic. Her grandmother lovingly describes the trees dancing in the wind, offering mangos, avocados, and coconuts; the majestic mountains; and the gentle tickle of the waves. These vivid memories help calm Gloriana’s nerves, but the first-day jitters and fear of being unseen still weigh heavily on her. This story is about finding one’s home and place wherever we are, while keeping our family’s heritage close to our hearts. Gloriana, and young readers, learn the importance of turning any place into a safe space by embracing who we are and sharing what we love. The illustrations are striking, with bold, thick paint strokes and vibrant colors that draw readers into Gloriana’s world. Each page bursts with life, perfectly complementing the story’s themes of heritage, courage, and belonging.

- Booklist

"The story blends English and Spanish text ­together just as a bilingual student might. . . The gorgeous acrylic ­illustrations jump off the page, highlighting the power of memories to take the place of fear. A lovely back-to-school story that a growing number of children will find relatable and that will encourage empathy in others."
 - School Library Journal

AWARDS