(2) PS The dinosaur-and-bird duo from [cf2I'm Hungry! / Tengo hambre! (rev. 3/22) and Dominguez's other cleverly told stories for preschoolers using English and Spanish is wrestling with a classic bedtime conundrum. While Birdie is all tucked in and ready for sleep, dinosaur Lolo insists on not being tired. "Sweet dreams!" says Birdie, in the color-coded, all-dialogue text. But: "No, gracias," replies Lolo. "No thank you?" repeats Birdie, setting up the natural-sounding pattern of translation and fluency between the two languages. This is also reflected in the tidy, uncluttered, and humorous digital illustrations, which support the main text and layer in some funny details, both visual (Birdie's sleeping cap; Lolo's bunny slippers) and textual (Lolo's to-do list: "Jugar, Comer, Jugar mas"). After a series of entertaining back-and-forths, and with the illustrations' backgrounds slowly getting darker and darker, both friends are finally ready for dreamland, each on their own terms--and resting up for whatever shared adventures might come next

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) PS Using an accessible conversational style similar to How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo se dice? (rev. 9/16) and How Are You? / ¿Cómo estás? (rev. 5/18)--now featuring a solicitous blue bird and a hangry orange dinosaur--Dominguez tells an entertaining, child-friendly, and mildly suspenseful story about friendship, kindness, picky eating, differing tastes, and the mollifying power of breaking bread together. While the bird offers many choices for the peckish young dinosaur to nosh, nothing sounds tasty: "'Fish? They are my favorite.' '¿Pescado? No, gracias.' 'How about lettuce? Or a salad?' '¿Lechuga o ensalada? No.'" Though the bird's dialogue is all in English and the dino's is in Spanish (color-coded), the two clearly understand each other--as will young readers and listeners, who can easily take meaning from context via the simple text and the clear, personality-filled illustrations. Rewardingly, and after a close-call near-ending (à la Higgins's We Don't Eat Our Classmates, rev. 9/18), a just-right treat--galletas--leads to satisfaction.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) PS "¡Hola, bebé! You're finally here, mi dulce, my sweet," begins this adorable--and adoring--portrait of a new baby's first day at home. The text is narrated by the little one's Mamá, but it's clear she speaks for both herself and Papá in expressing comfort and adoration: "This is your home, tu casa, where we promise to keep you safe. And we're your parents, tus padres. We are so pleased to meet you." The words in Spanish appear in type that is slightly larger and bolder and printed in green; an appended glossary provides definitions and pronunciations, though most meanings are clear from context. Throughout, the baby, clad in soft-looking yellow and green, does what newborns do: eat, sleep, cry, snuggle. The book's title is inspired by the swaddling of a fussy, sleepy baby, soothingly wrapped in a blanket, "burrito" style, and coaxed into naptime. Glimpses of a bird family in its nest outside the humans' window provide viewers with a gentle reminder of the interconnectedness of nature. Quiet pastel-hued illustrations, done in a limited palette with "watercolor paint, colored pencil drawings on illustration board, and Photoshop" and featuring lots of rounded edges, prevent overstimulation. In one illustration Dominguez even demonstrates the swaddling technique, a helpful reminder for the sleep deprived.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) 4-6 This sequel to Stella Díaz Has Something to Say (rev. 5/18) finds Stella wanting to do something big: save the oceans. After a family vacation to Mexico, Stella (less shy than she used to be, but still a little nervous) attends summer camp at Shedd Aquarium and finds new friends among her "fellow sea-creature enthusiasts." Although old friends Jenny and Stanley (and teenage brother Nick) have interests of their own, and her mother is muy ocupada at work, Stella eventually manages to bring everyone on board with her new environmental group--the Sea Musketeers. The group gets off to a great start under Stella's leadership, and a more self-confident Stella is optimistic about making a big difference and starting a new school year. The character's concerns about her Spanish-language skills and her conscientious efforts to connect to family and friends in both languages ring true, although some of the text's Spanish words and phrases (in italics, with occasional small typos) may not feel natural to Spanish speakers. Cheerful black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout, and an author's note includes tips and recommended resources for learning more about ocean conservation.

Reviewer: Anamaría Anderson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) 4-6 Shy, artistic third grader Stella Díaz, who emigrated from Mexico to Chicago, is self-conscious about her accent and occasional English blunders. She's also worried about being in a different class than best friend Jenny. Supportive family members and teachers help Stella build self-confidence. Lively black-and-white illustrations showing elements of Stella's day-to-day bicultural life and of her imagination add dimension to a rich narrative.

Reviewer: Christina L. Dobbs | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) PS The overeager giraffes from How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo se dice? are back in this high-energy bilingual book. They try to guess what an ostrich is feeling: "Are you hungry? / ¿Tienes hambre?" "Annoyed? / ¿Irritada?" Finally, the ostrich announces: "I'm excited...because I have new amigos!" Pencil and tissue-paper illustrations emphasize goofy expressions and antics while letting boldly colored text pop against clean white backgrounds.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) PS Visiting from Mexico, a grandfather shares with two young siblings not only his childhood memories (shown in parallel with the children's experiences and illustrated in a different, subdued palette) but also his life philosophy: "Singing gladdens the heart." Inspired by the life of Dominguez's own grandfather and referencing the classic Mexican song "Cielito lindo," the book emphasizes the value of hope and optimism in the face of challenges.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(2) PS With one word or phrase per page--English (left), Spanish (right)--two giraffes come together over a leafy meal ("Delicious! / ¡Sabrosa!") that flows elegantly into friendship ("Friends? / ¿Amigos?"). Pencil and tissue-paper illustrations colored digitally use white space, color contrasts, and unexpected layouts to create a visual rhythm that matches the snappy text. This book's design works particularly well for group sharing.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(2) PS A little girl admires her mother's knitting talent more than her own drawing skills. When her mom tries to teach her to knit, both find that "it's not as easy as it looks." Mom gently steers frustration into collaboration; together they come up with something special ("a drawing we can wear") in a satisfying ending. Mixed-media illustrations add to the warm feel.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(4) K-3 Artsy Parisian bird Hugo is afraid of flying, but his new friend Lulu is keen on seeing the Eiffel Tower with him from above. Flying lessons from an owl help Hugo face both of his fears: flight and telling Lulu the truth. If the uplifting story isn't original, the mixed-media art, capturing the quaint, stately elegance of Paris, certainly is.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(1) PS A boy wants to take his dog for a walk, but, confoundingly, Santiago refuses. The reason for Santiago's stubbornness is eventually revealed: he's watching over the baby. "Good boy, Santiago." The illustrations, in pencil, marker, ink, tissue paper, and digital color, capture the boy's persistence and the bulldog's dug-in resistance; the warm palette is perfect for this affection-filled, simple, and satisfying family story.

Reviewer: Viki Ash | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) PS This bilingual picture book, a riff on "Mary Had a Little Lamb," is set in the Peruvian Alps. The text mirrors the traditional tale, and both languages (English and Spanish) appear on the same page or spread. Bold ink and gouache illustrations include plentiful cultural clues (e.g., the market, village, musical instruments), and Maria and her llamas' personalities shine through.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2013