"After Papa died, Mama stopped dancing." So begins this extraordinarily lyrical story of
the triumph of love over grief. Sofia decides that Mama must dance again. Through Ms.
Leiner's brilliant story-telling and Mr. Rodriguez's evocative artwork, Sofia searches for
a new partner for her mother. I felt effortlessly drawn into the world of Havana, its
colors, smells, textures, rhythms. I loved the Spanish phrases that bloom throughout Ms.
Leiner's text like Mama's hibiscus flowers. Take this journey with Sofia and Mama as they come to terms with the loss of Papa, and create a radiance all their own. I highly
recommend this book.

This is a lovely and ultimately uplifting story about a family moving on after the death of the father. Though it is set in Cuba (and uses a few easily understood Spanish phrases), it is really a universal tale that seems particularly timely in light of the number of children who lost their fathers this past year. Also, for non-Latin kids, is great "slice-of-life" exposure to another culture.

This book is full of little-known facts about children who lived in the White House. There is a biography on each child, starting with George Washington's adopted grandchild and ending with Chelsea Clinton. It is a large book lavishly illustrated with photographs and color woodcut-style illustrations. It is intended for older children, say 12-15 or so, but most adults will learn a thing or two here, and it is suitable to read aloud to younger children. Through glimpses into the lives of the White House children, the reader learns about history from the 1700s to the present. The biographies are not sugar coated - some contain quite real and sad information, such as about Lincoln's sons who died, or the yellow fever epidemic. The reader learns that even "White House children" are not without their troubles.