Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Summary: During the pandemic, a girl and her mother and brother play a game of Veo, Veo, or I Spy, to spot essential workers in their community. Mami lost her job as a cook, so she cooks at home now, and the family takes food and medicine to some older relatives before stopping at the food pantry on the way home. In the course of their errands, they see trash collectors, a nurse, a pharmacist, a bus driver, and other workers who are keeping their city going so that others can safely stay at home. Back at home, the girl makes a collage sign saying, “I see you!” that includes pictures of many of the workers, leading to cheers and applause from the community. Includes an author’s note about the pandemic, and how it brought essential workers, and the fact that many of them are Black or Brown, to people’s attention. 40 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: Although the setting is the Covid pandemic, this book could be used to introduce lots of different community helpers. The illustrations are bright and appealing, with cartoon bubbles for dialog: Spanish for Mami and English for the kids.
Cons: The pandemic setting makes this already feel a little dated, as many of the kids reading the book will have little or no memory of that time.
Summary: During the pandemic, a girl and her mother and brother play a game of Veo, Veo, or I Spy, to spot essential workers in their community. Mami lost her job as a cook, so she cooks at home now, and the family takes food and medicine to some older relatives before stopping at the food pantry on the way home. In the course of their errands, they see trash collectors, a nurse, a pharmacist, a bus driver, and other workers who are keeping their city going so that others can safely stay at home. Back at home, the girl makes a collage sign saying, “I see you!” that includes pictures of many of the workers, leading to cheers and applause from the community. Includes an author’s note about the pandemic, and how it brought essential workers, and the fact that many of them are Black or Brown, to people’s attention. 40 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: Although the setting is the Covid pandemic, this book could be used to introduce lots of different community helpers. The illustrations are bright and appealing, with cartoon bubbles for dialog: Spanish for Mami and English for the kids.
Cons: The pandemic setting makes this already feel a little dated, as many of the kids reading the book will have little or no memory of that time.