Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

A new publisher with a multicultural mission makes an excellent first showing (also see Mochizuki, below) with this picture-book debut by the author of Among the Volcanoes (1991)— in which Castaneda returns to his native Guatemala for a story about Esperanza and her grandmother selling their traditional woven articles. Abuela has a facial birthmark that has provoked a superstitious fear in those buying her lovely things (``some kids...had started a rumor that she was a witch''), so the two pretend not to know each other; Esperanza goes ahead and succeeds in coping with the busy city marketplace and finding buyers before Abuela (readers can spot her standing discreetly in the background of each picture) joins her. The story may be a little slight, but the relationship is warm and the many authentic details are vividly described. Sanchez, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, makes an outstanding debut with glowing acrylic paintings, effectively framed in red rule and incorporating fabric designs and Mayan motifs—a whimsical patterning in a tree, Esperanza's graceful profile. Handsome, appealing, and sure to be useful. (Picture book. 4-10)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

According to PW, this story set in Guatemala ``affectingly portrays the loving rapport between a child and her grandmother.'' Ages 3-9. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 2-4-- Castaneda's rich narrative effectively evokes the harmonious way of life of many Indian communities in Latin America. Esperanza is learning to weave on the backstrap loom from her grandmother. `Pull back hard,' old Abuela said. `Make it jolt, so the threads stay close, like family.' '' The whole family counts on them to sell their tapestries at the Fiesta de Pueblos in Guate . However, more and more machine-made weavings are appearing at markets and many people are fearful of the elderly woman, thinking she is a witch because of the birthmark on her face. The day of the fiesta, Abuela dresses all in black with a long shawl wrapped around her face to hide the birthmark. She walks a few paces behind her granddaughter, pretending they don't know each other. Their fears disappear, however, when people crowd around their display of complex weavings amid the commercial stalls. Sanchez's illustrations rendered in acrylic on canvas vividly capture the importance of thisrite of initiation'' for a young girl under the lovingly firm guidance of her grandmother. Color and composition on each page authentically re-create images of rural Guatemala. A book to be read independently and enjoyed by all children.-- Graciela Italiano, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona