ALA Booklist (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

When Abuela, my grandma, tells me stories, we can fly anywhere. And so, tumbling through the air like big birds playing, the little girl and her grandmother, first seen flying over New York City in Abuela (1991), take off on another imaginary flight, this time to the Caribbean island where Abuela grew up. They visit relatives at the house where Abuela lived with Abuelo and look at old photographs and tell family stories. They fly with parrots in the bright garden treetops of the rain forest. And they explore the city, harbor, and market before cooling off at the beach. Finally, the stars light their way home to New York City. Kleven's jewel-like watercolor and collage illustrations shimmer and soar in an exuberant play of color and detail. Complete with a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Spanish words that are sprinkled throughout the text, Isla is a tropical treasure. (Reviewed November 1, 1995)

Horn Book (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

In a second book about 'Abuela' (Dutton) and her granddaughter Rosalba, the two soar through the skies to Abuela's beloved island home--'la isla'. There they see relatives, fly over a rain forest, look at the busy harbor and the new buildings in the city, and visit an old market before returning to the sparkling lights of New York City. Vivid illustrations with myriad details bring the tropical scenes to life. Glos.

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

Dorros likes to outfit his grandmothers with wings (see Abuela, 1991, for another soaring granny) that allow them to take their grandchildren on culturally packed flights over ancestral haunts. Here the girl and her grandmother ride the skies from New York City to the Caribbean island that was the grandmother's home. What follows is a splendid physical geography of the island, covering the fields, tiny towns, and the rain forest, as well as an exploration of the social landscape: uncles and aunts, friends and neighbors, the new city and the old marketplace. Dorros's text, injected with Spanish phrases, is always purposeful, informative, and even lyrical in its own bright, clipped way. Kleven's inventive paintings run wild with color and activity, faithful to the text and sometimes sharpening it. Rarely does the allegedly dull science of cultural geography get such spirited handling. (glossary) (Picture book. 3-7)"

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

The sequel to Abuela features an """"economical yet highly descriptive text"""" and mixed-media paintings that are """"a kaleidoscope of color and texture,"""" said PW; """"a fanciful flight."""" Ages 2-6. (Apr.)

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

K-Gr 2--When Abuela, my grandma, tells me stories, we can fly anywhere.'' And so, in this sequel to Abuela (Dutton, 1991), Rosalba takes a trip to the Caribbean island where her grandmother, mother, and uncle grew up. They visit Abuela's house and yard, the rain forest, an old city, a country marketplace, and the beach. In everything they do, Rosalba and her Abuela are like...big birds playing.'' After an evening meal with tio Fernando, tia Isabel, and cousin Elena, they return to New York City, glowing with happy memories of the experiences they've shared. Dorros's language is rich and magical--readers fly to la isla, too. Kleven's art is whimsical and quiltlike, crowded with sweet things and surprises. There is so much to look at in each picture--fruits and fish and animals and warm people, all rendered in candy colors. Lines of text are placed like poetry on white pages and accented with decorative drawings, or placed below double-page illustrations. Spanish words and phrases are peppered liberally throughout; a good glossary with pronunciations is included at the book's end. An enchanting journey through the imagination that is delightful for sharing again and again.--Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal