Abuela + Our Favorite Spanish-Themed Picture Books
All Photo Credit: @garyschapman
The kitchen, bathed in afternoon sunlight, emits a warm glow as my mother-in-law, or Abuela to my children, dives into my fridge. She is here on one of her quarterly visits. Her arms, animated like celebratory streamers, wave with palpable excitement. As the fridge door opens, a cold gust mingles with the aroma of last night's dinner. Her muffled voice breaks the silence, "There are so many wonderful things I can make from these!”
Peeking into my fridge feels invasive, much like someone sifting through my personal diary. I glance over her petite frame into the depths of my seemingly bare refrigerator, pondering what culinary magic she envisions. The aging tomatoes, the half-eaten avocado, the wilting kale—each item revealing a side of me I'd rather keep hidden. I mentally chide myself to be better prepared for her next visit, but as I watch her, I recognize the absence of judgment in her eyes. Her intent is pure: to share, to help, to love. I try to match her excitement with false enthusiasm.
Growing up in a humble home in Brooklyn, Abuela’s favorite meal was tinned sardines. She never lacked food, just variety. The challenges of her upbringing, shared with her Puerto Rican mother and Abuelita, forged her into a kitchen maestro. At least that’s the way I see it. With scarce resources, she learned to craft delicacies, turning the mundane into extraordinary. Though many years later and geographically removed from her childhood home, her visits to my home bring with them an infectious optimism, filling both my kitchen and soul.
Life dealt Abuela a hand more telenovela than fairy tale: struggles, heartaches, and challenges she has shared with me throughout the years I’ve been married to her son. Yet, her indomitable spirit shines through. It's evident in her meticulous care for the smallest of details, like savoring the remnants around an avocado pit or a last bit of juice from a sliced mango.
Dear Abuela, you are a vision of strength, resilience, and boundless love. In your presence, I see a reflection not just of who I want to be, but of the love and warmth I aspire to give.
9 Favorite Spanish picture books shared for Hispanic Heritage Month
