Only a Trenza Away: A Tale of Trust and Strength by Nadine Fonseca, Illustrations by Camila Carrossine

 Book Summary

“In this cozy, comforting tale, the strength and love woven into Xia’s braids will always be there—even when he isn’t.” —Foreword Reviews, starred review

A little girl feels her father's love as he takes time to braid her hair each night and share imaginative bedtime stories.

Every night, Xiomara's (zee-oh-MA-da) papa delicately braids her hair before bed. As he gently tugs and twists and tightens her hair, father and daughter embark on imaginative and fun adventures as he makes up stories about Xia and her trenzas, or "braids" in Spanish.

In one story, her trenza becomes a sturdy twisted vine that she uses to bravely swing through the jungle. In another, her trenzas are jump ropes as she catches the beat to play double Dutch with the best players in the neighborhood.

But Xia worries what she would do if Papa was not there to help her in a real adventure—like starting a new school. Could the strength Xia needs already be woven into her braids?

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain (August 8, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639930981
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639930982
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

Book Trailer

https://www.facebook.com/reel/221374827038772

My Review

As a second-grade teacher, I'm always looking for new picture books to share with my class. Only A Trenza Away is such a wonderful book that can be shared with children in school, and especially at home. It is a book that brings generations together. This story shows the sweet relationship between a daughter and her father who braids her hair every night before bed. While braiding her hair he tells her stories that take Xiomara on adventures to places she's never been. 

Another thing wonderful about this book is what Xia's father tells her as he braids her hair into sections. He reminds her of the people who love her deeply, the many people who will need her love, and also to remember to love yourself exactly as you are now and who you hope to be. What super messages to share with children. Love is a universal language that all will be able to understand. This heart-warming book needs to be shared with families in all cultures. 

****Meet Author Nadine Fonseca****

Nadine Fonseca is on a mission to build a brighter, kinder, and more inclusive future, one young reader at a time. She founded Mighty Kind, an educational multimedia company for families that aims to use the simple and universal concept of kindness as a bridge to antiracist/anti-bias learning.

Follow Nadine HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/nadinemfonseca/

****Meet Illustrator Camila Carrossine****

Camila Carrosine is Brazilian and lives in São Paulo. She has been drawing since she was a little girl and grew up with pencils and paper. Camila graduated in fine arts and studied art direction. Camila considers herself a visual storyteller and loves to mix traditional and digital techniques in her illustrations. She divides her time between her children’s book projects and animated films. She loves books, traveling, and walking barefoot.

See more of Camila's work HERE:

https://www.camilacarrossine.com/

~*~*~*~*Purchase Only a Trenza Away~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Hardcover-https://amzn.to/46RmLwH

Kindle-https://amzn.to/3Og6V7y