Review of "La gran sorpresa de Pésaj"

This year, I have a list of amazing bilingual, English and Spanish picture books that I received as part of Read Your World (formerly known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day). For more than ten years, I’ve been a reviewer, an author sponsor for six of them, and a proud member of the Board of Trustees. Thank you, Multicultural Children’s Book Day, for your dedication and enormous mission to promote children's literature. 

This is one of my book reviews for 2026: 

Argentinian Jewish author Ana María Shua explores the meaning of freedom in the celebration of Passover. With cheerful pastel illustrations, the story of Passover unfolds during a family dinner. The main character, Jordanita, is visiting her family in Mendoza, Argentina, for the holidays. They arrive in the fall, but it is still warm, and her cousin's house is a wonderful place with a huge yard and several pets: two dogs, a cat, two turtles, and two parrots named Tic and Toc. During the Passover dinner, Jordanita hears the meaning of freedom in that story, sees that the parrots are in a cage where they cannot fly freely, and reflects: Shouldn't that apply to all creatures? So, she decides to do something that culminates in the book with an interesting message.

Ana María Shua, Ángeles Ruiz (Ilustrador)

La autora judía argentina Ana María Shua explora el significado de la libertad en la celebración del “Pésaj”. Con alegres ilustraciones en tono pastel, se desarrolla la historia de la Pascua, “Pésaj”, durante una cena familiar. El personaje principal, Jordanita, está visitando a su familia en Mendoza, Argentina, para pasar las vacaciones. Llegan durante el otoño, pero aún se siente el calor y la casa de su primo es un maravilloso lugar con un patio enorme y varias mascotas: dos perros, un gato, dos tortugas y dos loros llamados Tic y Toc. Durante la cena de “Pésaj”, Jordanita escucha el significado de la libertad de esa historia, ve que los loros están en una jaula donde no pueden volar libremente y reflexiona: ¿Esto debe aplicarse a todas las criaturas? Así que decide hacer algo con lo que culmina el libro dándonos un interesante mensaje.

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors Sponsors help make Read Your World Day possible. Join us! Get all the details below: 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities:   🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media 🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages and Jeanne Walker Harvey 🏅 Gold Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight 🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press 🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor:  🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Fabled Films Press 🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education    Read Your World is honored to be supported by these Author Sponsors!   Authors: Audrey Barbakoff, Federico Erebia, Teddi Ahrens, Stephanie M. Wildman, Maritza M. Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Storytime Podcast, Josh Funk, Frances Díaz Evans, Gaia Cornwall, Eric Clock, Maria Wen Adcock, Diana Huang, Gwen Jackson, Gea Meijering, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Ismee Williams, Karin Fisher-Golton, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Tami Lehman-Wilzig,  Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Nancy Tupper Ling, Teresa Robeson, Crystal Z. Lee, Karen Leggett Abouraya, Elly Swartz, Robbin Miller, Shifa Safadi, Tonya Ellis, Lisa Stringfellow, Sylvia Liu, Kimberly Biddle, Robbin Miller, Eric Clock, Tonya Ellis, Nadine Pressley, Natahsa Yim Carter, and Lisa Chong. Maritza Martinez Mejia Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator, and Translator Member: Read Your World, Board of Trustees,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador     ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016,  Premio Verso Dorado 2022