Hola, Abuelita. It's me, Estrellita! And so begins the phone conversation that Estrellita and her beloved grandmother have longed for since Estrellita moved from her beautiful island home of Puerto Rico to New York City. Estrellita regales her grandmother with stories of the exciting sights and sounds of the big city: her first ride on a subway train into Manhattan and the fascinating underground city where you can buy anything--even clothes and shoes--and listen to musicians perform at all hours; the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue, where people, yellow cabs, and buses rush up and down; the Empire State Building that was SO tall that I thought it was going to fall on me!; Rockefeller Center with its glass-covered buildings that reach into the sky; and the Verrazano Bridge, one of the world's longest suspended bridges that looked as if it had no end. As exciting as the tourist attractions are to Estrellita and her father, El Barrio, a neighborhood where everybody speaks Spanish, is just as thrilling. There's a restaurant called Rincon, just like the town in Puerto Rico, and a music store called La Casita Latina. Estrellita and her family sing Abuela's favorite song, En mi viejo San Juan, and Estrellita is reminded once again of how much she misses her grandmother. But she is comforted by her phone conversation with Abuela and knows she'll talk to Abuela again soon. And maybe some day Abuela will come to visit Estrellita in the big city! In this lively sequel to Estrellita se despide de su isla/Estrellita Says Good-bye to her Island, author Samuel Caraballo and illustrator Pablo Torrecilla team up again to depict the loving relationship between a young girl and hergrandmother. Torrecilla's exquisite illustrations of Abuela on the phone in tranquil Puerto Rico contrast superbly with those of Estrellita set against the backdrop of a vibrant and busy New York City. Readers of all ages will relate to a young girl's love for her grandmother, while children ages 4 to 9 who have been separated from family will empathize with--and be reassured by--Estrellita's experiences in a new city. Kindergarten-Grade 3—Estrellita, who has recently immigrated to New York City, tells her grandmother in Puerto Rico all about her adventures over the phone. She recounts her first experiences on the crowded streets, and tells Abuelita that she found a little taste of home in a neighborhood she calls "El Barrio." The text, presented in both English and Spanish, largely consists of conversation between the child and her grandmother. The artwork effectively conveys Estrellita's sense of adapting to her new environment. For example, when she first arrives in the city, the countless signs and billboards are in a made-up language no reader can understand. This underscores the unfamiliarity of the English-speaking city for a new arrival. As Estrellita explores one neighborhood, she starts seeing more Spanish signs, and the English billboards start making sense. Torrecilla's cartoon illustrations create a sense of fun and excitement as the child explores her new home. Moreover, he skillfully displays the rich diversity of her heritage by giving her and her family a range of hair and eye colors. This book may resonate most strongly with immigrant children in urban areas, for the experiences of new arrivals in more rural parts of the United States may differ sharply from Estrellita's. However, children of all ethnic backgrounds who have strong relationships with their grandparents will appreciate this charming story.— Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ." . . the spirit comes through, making this ode to an island home a selection with wide appeal." ." . . will strike a response in readers, whether recent immigrants or not." SAMUEL CARABALLO , a native of Vieques, Puerto Rico, is the author of two previous children's books: Estrellita se despide de su isla / Estrellita Says Good-bye to Her Island (Piñata Books, 2002) and Mis abuelos y yo / My Grandparents and I (Piñata Books, 2004). He currently lives in Virginia with his family. PABLO TORRECILLA , a native of Madrid, Spain, has illustrated numerous books for children, including The Bakery Lady / La señora de la panaderí­a (Arte Público Press, 2001) by Pat Mora and Estrellita se despide de su isla / Estrellita Says Good-bye to Her Island (Piñata Books, 2002). Used Book in Good Condition