“This magical home turns a normal Sunday into domingo: the best day of the week.” Warm memories wash over a first-generation Latinx American girl as she experiences a typical Sunday night dinner at her Abuelita’s house. Readers are immersed in the rich ways love is expressed within this home: the delicious smells of Ecuadorian home cooking, dancing, hugging and playing games with aunts, uncles and cousins. As Alejandra thinks about all the good times her family has had there, she decides that she wants to be brave and try speaking Spanish with Abuelita so that they can deepen their bond. Based on the author’s own life, this timely tale reflects the experience of many families.
Key Selling Points:
BASED ON THE AUTHOR’S LIFE: An author’s note with photographs reveals that the story is based on debut author Alexandra Katona’s own family experience.
CULTURAL AWARENESS: Celebrates the warm traditions of an American immigrant family and highlights the common phenomenon of a language barrier between generations.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Depicts the powerful role of family in the life of a child, as well as providing a vivid view of her memories and wishes.
AWARD-WINNING ILLUSTRATOR: Claudia Navarro’s lush, saturated illustrations imbue the book with tangible emotion.
More Details
Product Dimensions:8.50 x 10.75 inches
Page Count:32 pages
Age Range:Ages 4-8 years
Leveling:M/2
Grade Level:PreK - 3
Awards & Accolades
Independent Press Award, Picture Book, 2023
Honorable Mention, International Latino Book Awards, 2022
9 Favorite New Books about Families Cooking Together, Edible Finger Lakes, 2021
Hot Off the Press Reading List, Children’s Book Council, September 2021
Let’s Cook and Eat Together Showcase, Children’s Book Council, 2021
“Navarro’s joyful illustrations are filled with movement and bright, happy colors, capturing the boisterous reunions in an accessible and humorous way . . . An ebullient celebration of family and the rituals that bring a family together” – Kirkus Reviews
“Drawing upon her own childhood experiences, Katona offers a warm story of family, food, and fun . . . A wonderful celebration of culture and family, idea for storytime or classroom reading” – Booklist
About the Contributors
Written by - Alexandra Katona
Alexandra Katona has been writing stories since she was young. When she's not writing, you can find her on an outdoor adventure, cooking for her family, or working in the specialty coffee industry. She lives with her husband, son, and dog in Southern California.
Illustrated by - Claudia Navarro
Claudia Navarro studied at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas UNAM in Mexico City, and has illustrated for clients around the world. She lives in Mexico City, Mexico.
I loved this story of an extended family that celebrates traditions and loved ones, coming together to share Ecuadorian food, dance, and play, and turning Sunday into “the best day of the week.” Beautiful prose is brought to life by fun, colorful illustrations. Alexandra Katona makes great use of Spanish words in context, and her engaging back matter includes a glossary and personal author’s note. Highly recommended!
ByChristy,
Posted on
Domingo: The best day of the week!
Rating
100%
Domingo: The best day of the week!
Dinner on Domingos is a joy filled family story. The illustrations are warm and welcoming. The mix of English and Spanish make it relatable to any bilingual families. The words are so descriptive you feel like you are at dinner with the family…smelling Abuelita’s locro! Alexandra Katona takes us through a family dinner with the whole family, aunts, uncles, cousins. She also shares family photos as well as her experience as a second generation Latina in her author’s note. She also treats readers to a delicious recipe for Locro!
