{"id":8867224387821,"title":"Welcome Home, Esmerelda","handle":"welcome-home-esmerelda","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing May 13, 2025. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/daniela-ramirez\"\u003eDaniela Ramirez\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/maribel-lechuga\"\u003eMaribel Lechuga\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\"\u0026lt; b r\u0026gt;\"\n\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER BLURB BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont color=\"#34689f\"\u003e\"Every so often, a character resonates with readers of all ages. Esmerelda reminds us that home is in the heart—and in music. And if we listen closely, our favorite songs will always meet us on the dance floors of our lives, right when we're ready to feel the beat again.\"\u003cbr\u003e \n —Antwan Eady, author of \u003ci\u003eNigel and the Moon\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Last Stand\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt's time to go home—but Esmerelda's never been there.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePapa's job in the military has taken Esmerelda and her family all over the world—and yet she's never lived in the United States. Now she and her family are moving to San Antonio, Texas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough many of her extended family members live there, Esmerelda is unsure it'll feel like home. Even more, she's unsure she will fit in. Gradually, music and her sweet abuela spark bravery and the realization that home is not always a place—it's familia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeartwarming and hopeful, \u003cem\u003eWelcome Home, Esmerelda \u003c\/em\u003ewill provide reassurance to any kid that while moving and change are difficult, you have the support of loved ones to help you through it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ten-beautiful-things\"\u003eTen Beautiful Things\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/forever-cousins\"\u003eForever Cousins\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-spread.jpg?v=1731092504\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1731092509\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaniela Ramirez, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaniela Ramirez has a passion for writing books for children. She is Mexican American and excited to share her culture. Daniela loves writing Latine characters and wishes to inspire her own children. She is married to her college sweetheart, is a military spouse, and currently resides in New Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/daniela-ramirez\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Daniela.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaribel Lechuga, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a child, Maribel Lechuga spent every quiet hour of the day drawing. She studied illustration in art school in Madrid and is now the illustrator of many children's books, including \u003cem\u003eNight Owl Night, Ten Beautiful Things, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eSeaside Stroll. \u003c\/em\u003eMaribel loves the environment and animals and recharges her batteries by hiking through the Spanish hills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/maribel-lechuga\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Maribel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEsmeralda and her family are preparing to move from Germany to San Antonio, Texas. Esmeralda's dad is in the military, so moving is not new to her, but she is nervous about living in San Antonio because she fears feeling out of place. Even though she was born there and her family lives there, she has no memories of Texas, unlike her older sister, Mariana. Esmeralda is concerned she won't fit in. Mariana comforts her and tells her everything will be okay. Once they arrive in San Antonio, Esmeralda watches her parents and Mariana glow with smiles as they reconnect with the family. Then, Tío George learns that Esmeralda loves music like her abuela, so he turns up a song by Selena. Esmeralda comes alive, pulling her sister onto the dance floor. All the family joins in, creating a cumbia line. Esmeralda beams with joy and realizes she is home. This heartwarming tale depicts the challenges of growing up in a military family. Children who have parents in the military will be able to relate to Esmeralda. Ramirez's beautiful story captures that struggle but also offers hope. Readers will get to see how good things can come from change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-390-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpanish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-438-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6–9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: May 13, 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-01-15T11:25:04-05:00","created_at":"2024-11-11T16:02:38-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":47337141764333,"title":"English Hardcover","option1":"English Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43907","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":42109361193197,"product_id":8867224387821,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-11-08T14:01:43-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-08T14:01:44-05:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504","variant_ids":[47337141764333]},"available":true,"name":"Welcome Home, Esmerelda - English Hardcover","public_title":"English Hardcover","options":["English Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623543907","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":34547325010157,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":47337191407853,"title":"Spanish Hardcover","option1":"Spanish Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"44386","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":42109361160429,"product_id":8867224387821,"position":2,"created_at":"2024-11-08T14:01:43-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-08T14:01:44-05:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bienvenida_a_casa_Esmerelda_CVR_OK_EXT.jpg?v=1731092504","variant_ids":[47337191407853]},"available":true,"name":"Welcome Home, Esmerelda - Spanish Hardcover","public_title":"Spanish Hardcover","options":["Spanish Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623544386","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":34547325075693,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bienvenida_a_casa_Esmerelda_CVR_OK_EXT.jpg?v=1731092504"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504","\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bienvenida_a_casa_Esmerelda_CVR_OK_EXT.jpg?v=1731092504"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":34547325010157,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504","width":600},{"alt":null,"id":34547325075693,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bienvenida_a_casa_Esmerelda_CVR_OK_EXT.jpg?v=1731092504"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bienvenida_a_casa_Esmerelda_CVR_OK_EXT.jpg?v=1731092504","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing May 13, 2025. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/daniela-ramirez\"\u003eDaniela Ramirez\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/maribel-lechuga\"\u003eMaribel Lechuga\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\"\u0026lt; b r\u0026gt;\"\n\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER BLURB BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont color=\"#34689f\"\u003e\"Every so often, a character resonates with readers of all ages. Esmerelda reminds us that home is in the heart—and in music. And if we listen closely, our favorite songs will always meet us on the dance floors of our lives, right when we're ready to feel the beat again.\"\u003cbr\u003e \n —Antwan Eady, author of \u003ci\u003eNigel and the Moon\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Last Stand\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt's time to go home—but Esmerelda's never been there.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePapa's job in the military has taken Esmerelda and her family all over the world—and yet she's never lived in the United States. Now she and her family are moving to San Antonio, Texas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough many of her extended family members live there, Esmerelda is unsure it'll feel like home. Even more, she's unsure she will fit in. Gradually, music and her sweet abuela spark bravery and the realization that home is not always a place—it's familia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeartwarming and hopeful, \u003cem\u003eWelcome Home, Esmerelda \u003c\/em\u003ewill provide reassurance to any kid that while moving and change are difficult, you have the support of loved ones to help you through it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ten-beautiful-things\"\u003eTen Beautiful Things\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/forever-cousins\"\u003eForever Cousins\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-spread.jpg?v=1731092504\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg?v=1731092504\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/welcome-home-esmerelda-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1731092509\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaniela Ramirez, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaniela Ramirez has a passion for writing books for children. She is Mexican American and excited to share her culture. Daniela loves writing Latine characters and wishes to inspire her own children. She is married to her college sweetheart, is a military spouse, and currently resides in New Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/daniela-ramirez\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Daniela.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaribel Lechuga, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a child, Maribel Lechuga spent every quiet hour of the day drawing. She studied illustration in art school in Madrid and is now the illustrator of many children's books, including \u003cem\u003eNight Owl Night, Ten Beautiful Things, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eSeaside Stroll. \u003c\/em\u003eMaribel loves the environment and animals and recharges her batteries by hiking through the Spanish hills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/maribel-lechuga\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Maribel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEsmeralda and her family are preparing to move from Germany to San Antonio, Texas. Esmeralda's dad is in the military, so moving is not new to her, but she is nervous about living in San Antonio because she fears feeling out of place. Even though she was born there and her family lives there, she has no memories of Texas, unlike her older sister, Mariana. Esmeralda is concerned she won't fit in. Mariana comforts her and tells her everything will be okay. Once they arrive in San Antonio, Esmeralda watches her parents and Mariana glow with smiles as they reconnect with the family. Then, Tío George learns that Esmeralda loves music like her abuela, so he turns up a song by Selena. Esmeralda comes alive, pulling her sister onto the dance floor. All the family joins in, creating a cumbia line. Esmeralda beams with joy and realizes she is home. This heartwarming tale depicts the challenges of growing up in a military family. Children who have parents in the military will be able to relate to Esmeralda. Ramirez's beautiful story captures that struggle but also offers hope. Readers will get to see how good things can come from change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-390-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpanish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-438-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6–9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: May 13, 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Welcome Home, Esmerelda

Coming May 13, 2025. Pre-order today!

By: Daniela Ramirez / Illustrated by: Maribel Lechuga

"< b r>"

"Every so often, a character resonates with readers of all ages. Esmerelda reminds us that home is in the heart—and in music. And if we listen closely, our favorite songs will always meet us on the dance floors of our lives, right when we're ready to feel the beat again."
—Antwan Eady, author of Nigel and the Moon and The Last Stand

It's time to go home—but Esmerelda's never been there.

Papa's job in the military has taken Esmerelda and her family all over the world—and yet she's never lived in the United States. Now she and her family are moving to San Antonio, Texas.

Although many of her extended family members live there, Esmerelda is unsure it'll feel like home. Even more, she's unsure she will fit in. Gradually, music and her sweet abuela spark bravery and the realization that home is not always a place—it's familia.

Heartwarming and hopeful, Welcome Home, Esmerelda will provide reassurance to any kid that while moving and change are difficult, you have the support of loved ones to help you through it.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Daniela Ramirez, author

Daniela Ramirez has a passion for writing books for children. She is Mexican American and excited to share her culture. Daniela loves writing Latine characters and wishes to inspire her own children. She is married to her college sweetheart, is a military spouse, and currently resides in New Mexico.

Read more about Daniela.


Maribel Lechuga, illustrator

As a child, Maribel Lechuga spent every quiet hour of the day drawing. She studied illustration in art school in Madrid and is now the illustrator of many children's books, including Night Owl Night, Ten Beautiful Things, and Seaside Stroll. Maribel loves the environment and animals and recharges her batteries by hiking through the Spanish hills.

Read more about Maribel.

  • Coming soon!

Children's Literature

Esmeralda and her family are preparing to move from Germany to San Antonio, Texas. Esmeralda's dad is in the military, so moving is not new to her, but she is nervous about living in San Antonio because she fears feeling out of place. Even though she was born there and her family lives there, she has no memories of Texas, unlike her older sister, Mariana. Esmeralda is concerned she won't fit in. Mariana comforts her and tells her everything will be okay. Once they arrive in San Antonio, Esmeralda watches her parents and Mariana glow with smiles as they reconnect with the family. Then, Tío George learns that Esmeralda loves music like her abuela, so he turns up a song by Selena. Esmeralda comes alive, pulling her sister onto the dance floor. All the family joins in, creating a cumbia line. Esmeralda beams with joy and realizes she is home. This heartwarming tale depicts the challenges of growing up in a military family. Children who have parents in the military will be able to relate to Esmeralda. Ramirez's beautiful story captures that struggle but also offers hope. Readers will get to see how good things can come from change.

English Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-390-7

Spanish Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-438-6

Ages: 6–9
Page count: 32
9 x 9

Publication date: May 13, 2025