Mamá Elizabeti

Review
By School Library Journal

Now available in Spanish, the story of a girl who looks after her toddler brother while her mom cares for their new baby sister in a sweet sibling tale. Elizabeti thought taking care of her brother would be just like taking care of her doll. However, the girl finds that completing daily tasks while babysitting is quite challenging. Amid all the frustrations of the day, she connects with her brother and receives an affectionate reward. The classic, painterly feel of the art perfectly matches the warmth of the slice-of-life narrative. This intimate look at a sibling dynamic set against a backdrop of a Tanzanian village is respectful of a child’s experience and emotions. The community that surrounds the family is everpresent and add a layer of comfort to the overall story. This would make for a wonderful read-aloud. All the characters are Black. 

VERDICT A realistic portrayal of familial bonds for general purchase.