Al Fin En Casa (Home at Last) - Paperback

by Susan Middleton Elya (Author), Felipe Davalos (Illustrator)

A sympathetic tale of a mother-daughter bond and overcoming adversity, brought to life by the vivid illustrations of Felipe Davalos.

Ana Patino is adjusting well to her new life in the United States, but her mother is having a difficult time because she doesn't speak English. When Ana's baby brother falls ill, Mama tries to get help, but no one can understand her. Now convinced of the need to learn the native language, Mama agrees to take English lessons. As her knowledge of the English language grows, so does her sense of confidence and belonging.

Susan Middleton Elya's sympathetic tale of a mother-daughter bond and overcoming adversity is brought to life by the vivid illustrations of Felipe Davalos.

Front Jacket

Ana Patino and her family have just moved to the United States from Mexico. Through the window of their apartment Ana sees farm fields and big round trees quite a difference from their village in Mexico.

Ana adjusts to her new surroundings quickly, but her mother has a more difficult time. Mama misses her family in Mexico. She also cannot speak English, which makes her daily routine difficult. When one of Ana's brothers falls ill, Mama tries to get help, but no one can understand her. She finally realizes it is time to make a change, and Ana is there to lift her mother's spirits and cheer her on.

Home at Last captures the close bond between a girl and her mother while giving a realistic picture of the dislocation new immigrants often experience. All readers will be touched by this family who finds the true meaning of home.

Author Biography

Susan Middleton Elya is the author of more than twenty popular picture books for children, including Lee & Low's "Say Hola to Spanish" series and Home at Last. She has degrees in Spanish and elementary education, and she taught Spanish for many years. Elya is known for blending English and Spanish to create clever, lively, rhyming stories. A native of Iowa, she now lives in Danville, California. You can visit her online at susanelya.com.

Felipe Davalos is the award-winning illustrator of numerous books for children, including All The Way to Morning, Punia and the King of Sharks: A Hawaiian Folktale, and Secret Stars, winner of the 2000 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award. A native of Mexico, Davalos now lives in Sacramento, California. Home at Last is his first book with Lee & Low.