Gr 1-3 Following the narrative styles of a traditional Yiddish folk song, Maya's Blanket/La manta de Maya tells the story of a child's most beloved possession: her blue and green handmade blanket with purple butterfly stitches. Maya's grandmother made it to protect her from bad dreams. Yet as time passes and the blanket becomes worn and frayed, it is remade into a dress, a skirt, a shawl, and more. Similar to Nancy Andrews-Goebel's The Pot that Juan Built (Lee & Low, 2002), the story repeatedly reminds readers of the creative transformations that Maya and her grandmother employ to turn the beloved blanket into another useful accessory. This book is a great storytime addition for school-aged children due to its sincere and simple writing that translates well in both Spanish and English, the representation of culturally diverse characters, and the underlying message of resourcefulness, imagination, and appreciation for family traditions. Readers will also be entranced by the eye-catching illustrations of Maya's ordinary-to-extraordinary life. Created with mixed media, the graphics are illuminating with rich color and texture. Thanks to the depth of the images and the thoughtful text, readers will thoroughly enjoy wondering what Maya's blanket will be next. VERDICT A Latino-influenced and Yiddish-inspired tale that is recommended for Spanish readers and librarians in diverse communities. Jessica Espejel, Brooklyn Public Library

This graceful, contemporary retelling of the traditional Yiddish folk song "I Had a Little Coat" blends the author's Jewish and Latina heritage boldly and beautifully. Young Maya loves the blue-green blanket with purple butterflies that her abuelita made for her. As she grows up and changes, so does her manta. It becomes a skirt, a bufanda (scarf), a hair ribbon, and even a marcador de libros (bookmark). Caldecott Medal winner Diaz's (Smoky Night, 1995) illustrations bring a vibrancy to the narrative and infuse every page with luminous colors and textures. Golden halos of light surround the butterflies abuela appliqués on the manta, lending a magical cast to the story. The repetition of certain Spanish words helps build vocabulary, while complete Spanish translations appear on every spread. Though culturally specific, its themes of love, longevity, and heritage are universal. This will be loved by readers of all ages as long as there are grandmothers and grandchildren, and it is a perfect choice for bilingual storytimes.