A young girl shelters in place with her family during the Cuban Revolution (1953-1959).
Lucinda lives in Santa Clara, where escalating military activity fills her neighborhood with fear. As tanks rumble past and gunfire echoes in the distance, her family and neighbors remain indoors with the shutters closed tight. Inside, her tía offers quiet reassurance, echoed by the steady pressure cooker shushing on the stove. Lucinda’s mamá responds to the tension by preparing a meal for family and neighbors seeking refuge. The familiar aromas gradually replace the scent of smoke drifting in from outside. When Lucinda wonders how Mamá can cook at a time like this, her mother explains that although they cannot control what is happening beyond their walls, they can each work to create safety and comfort within them. Later, when the lights go out, Abuela gently reminds the family that they can make their own light through care for one another. Soft pastel illustrations and expressive faces emphasize the tenderness shared among neighbors. The story closes with the community stepping outside to tidy their street, carrying forward a sense of hope. Lucinda’s journey affirms that fear is natural in uncertain times and that even small acts of care can steady a community.
A poignant tale in which love and shared purpose become a family’s brightest light.
—Kirkus Reviews
A girl and her family pull together during a chaotic night in this hopeful picture book set during the Cuban Revolution (1953–1959). Armored tanks rumble in the streets and awful smells of smoke and gunpowder fill the air in Lucinda’s town of Santa Clara. Her family shelters inside their humble home, taking in neighbors and extended family. Scenes alternate between their hurried reactions to the blasts and shouts in the streets and the blackout to the measured and familiar steps that Lucinda’s mom takes to make rice, beans, and picadillo, a Cuban dish of seasoned ground beef. Herrera uses onomatopoeia to immerse readers into the scene, with both the tap, tap, tap of Lucinda’s racing heart and her mother’s wooden spoon. The changes in font help reinforce what the characters are feeling. Digital illustrations capture the tensions inside and outside, while remaining sensible to a child’s experience of war and uncertainty. An author’s note details the inspiration for this tale, based on her mother’s experience during the Cuban Revolution. The message that everyone can do their parts to shine a light in the midst of darkness and situations out of their control will resonate with many children. The characters have tan skin. A recipe for picadillo is included in the back matter.VERDICT A strong choice for most picture book collections, especially where there are communities enduring hardship and recent trauma.
—School Library Journal
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