My Papi Has a Motorcycle

This beautiful picture book pays loving tribute to the author's California childhood. My Papi Has a Motorcycle is not only a love letter to her hardworking dad who showed her different ways of experiencing home but also to the beloved city and community she grew up in and the memories of home that we all hold near and dear. The market with gumball machines at its entrance and piñata hanging outside, the neighborhood "tortillería," the familiar sound of the "raspados" handcart rolling down the street -- all things that connect us to living in a community and makes this a story that Latino kids can easily relate to and enjoy. A celebration of working-class people, the brown-skinned characters depicted in vibrant illustrations are every Latino kid's dad, grandparents, and neighbors. The vibrant comic-like illustrations quickly draw readers into the story through motion and sounds and stir up cultural nostalgia. A realistic linguistic mix is also part of the illustrations and includes Spanish words sprinkled into easy-to-follow dialogue that's presented in speech bubbles, alongside English-only text.

An author's note at the back of the book reveals Quintero's inspiration and gives details about her fondest childhood memories. She shares a little backstory about the city of Corona, California.