Every morning, Lucy tiptoes into her grandmother s room to wake her with a gentle tickle. Little Mamá always remembers to tickle Lucy right back! But Lucy knows there are things herabuelitasometimes forgets – like the way to the park or how to tie her shoes. “Two long bunny ears like this, Lucy shows her. Still, there s much that Little Mamá remembers and shares: how to skip and dance, stories from Mexico, and plenty of hugs and kisses. A lyrical text with Spanish words and phrases and vibrant art spiced with cultural details capture the give-and-take in this lively Hispanic family and celebrate the special bonds that exist between young and old. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Lucy's grandmother may be forgetful at times, but that doesn't mean she can't remember the things that matter most. Such is the recurring "thread" woven through this story of a tightly knit Mexican-American family. Cruise (Fiona's Private Pages) peppers the text with bits and snatches of Spanisha reflection of how fluidly the family's heritage is integrated into their daily lives. The story mainly centers upon Lucy and Little Mam , the grandmother for whom she is named ("Luciana Maria Isabela G lvez-Molinero"). Little Mam  sometimes forgets about a piece of bread that she is toasting, but she can fondly recall events in her life with a zest that is infectious. ("Even though she forgets about loops and bows and double knots, my little mam  remembers... how to button her favorite dancing shoes.") Dressen-McQueen's (Boxes for Katje) illustrationsawash in a corn tortilla paletteadd an extra burst of liveliness to this recollection of a fruitful existence. She paints Little Mam 's trunk of dresses from her native Tembabichi in a cornucopia of festive bright colors, layers upon layers of ruffles that practically swirl off the pages. This volume celebrates a family life sustained by happy memories and good times. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

K-Gr 3-Lucy spends her days with her mother, brother, and grandmother. She shares a special bond with Little Mam that begins with a morning tickle and ends with a song and a kiss goodnight. In between, their day is filled with dancing, skipping, cooking, eating, and stories of Mexico. The elderly woman may forget everyday things like names, places, and directions but she always remembers her love for Lucy. The topic of Little Mam 's forgetfulness is dealt with in a realistic, but child-focused manner. Cruise uses the text repetition of "Little Mam forgets-" and "my little mam remembers-" to provide a framework for her story. This gives it balance and offers reassurance and hope to readers. A liberal splashing of Spanish words appears throughout. Dressen-McQueen's Mexican folk-style illustrations are enhanced by her use of bold colors including pink, red, orange, brown, and blue. They capture the feel and texture of Hispanic culture but never overwhelm the story or the characters. The universal themes of love and family dominate this tender, heartfelt story.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-Gr. 2. Swirls of movement and color are the happy backdrop for a story that might have been sad. Little Mama, Lucy's grandmother, is losing her memory. Sometimes the toast burns, and sometimes she can't remember how to tie her shoes. But as Lucy explains, there still many things that joyously involve her grandmother in life. The text employs a rhythmic balance. After recounting a flurry of activity in which an element of forgetfulness occurs, Lucy describes something her grandmother does recall. Little Mama brushes her hair 100 strokes, even though Lucy must show her anew each night how to brush her teeth. The story is bittersweet, but Lucy's ability to look on the bright side, and the obvious love that she and Little Mama share, wrap the events in affection and warmth. Dressen-McQueen's artwork is outstanding. The Mexican family, living in East Los Angeles, comes alive in pictures that show the vibrancy of the happy household. Inspired by Mexican tiles, Dressen-McQueen dusts everything--tables, shawls, upholstery--with decorative designs. The spread showing Little Mama and Lucy dancing as the old woman's decorated skirt twirls across the page lifts readers up. The colors are south-of-the-border bright, adding to the inspirational feeling. Children won't forget this. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.