Grandma's+Gift

= = =** Grandma’s Gift **= =** By Eric Velasquez **=

-HALEY SMITH



**Author Biography:**
====Eric Valasquez is the author and illustrator of Grandma’s Gift. He is the son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents and grew up in Spanish Harlem. His background gives him a unique cultural perspective which reflects in his work. He is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and currently lives in Hartsdale, New York.====

**Summary:**
====Grandma’s Gift by Eric Valasquez is about himself as a child staying with his grandmother over Christmas break in New York City. In the story, they are very busy getting ready for the holidays. Eric has an assignment for his class and he needs to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is where Eric discovers the painting of Juan de Pareja, which has a lasting effect on him.====

**Review:**
====This book is great for older elementary aged students. This is a must have book on the shelves of a fourth or fifth grade classroom. The beautiful pictures and heartfelt writing are inspiring and help to create inspiration for art and an appreciation of diversity.====

**Literary Element Analysis:**
====The theme of family and culture is very important to this book. The writing was very authentic and it is culturally meaningful which is important for promoting diversity and appealing to all children in classrooms. The book has authentic Spanish dialog (with an English translation) throughout the book. Another way the book is tied into family and culture is that it is centered around the holidays when the family is together celebrating and cherishing time spent together. This book is easy for children to relate to no matter what culture they come from. The warmth and easy to read pages are something that everyone can appreciate.====