Angélica and La Güira - by Angie Cruz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Playing the gèuira reminds Angâelica of the people she loves and misses, especially her grandfather in the Dominican Republic.

Book Synopsis

A young girl harnesses the power of music to bridge the distance between the Dominican Republic and Washington Heights in this jubilant picture book debut by Angie Cruz, bestselling and award-winning author of Dominicana.

Angélica has spent the summer in the Dominican Republic with her tías and primas, her grandparents, and their parrot, but soon she'll have to say goodbye. The end of summer means returning home to start school on another shore. Before she leaves, her grandfather gives her the perfect gift. It's something with the power to make people dance as fast as the wings of a hummingbird: a güira. Angélica falls in love with this musical instrument, though nobody shares her enthusiasm at first. "What is that sound," they say, "pennies inside a tin cup?" But on a hot, sunny day, in the land of Washington Heights, where the frío frío woman scrapes ice for a long line of customers and the men on the corner plunk dominoes on a makeshift carboard table, Angélica shows her neighbors the power of la güira.

Angélica and la Güira lovingly explores music and community, the wisdom and guidance of our elders, and the joy and freedom of dancing in the street. No matter where we are, music brings us closer to home. Don't miss the Spanish-language edition of this book, Angélica y la güira.

Review Quotes

Praise for Angélica and la Güira by Angie Cruz; illustrated by Luz Batista:

Children's Book Council (CBC) 2025 Favorites Awards List (Teacher favorite, K-2nd grade; Librarian favorite, K-2nd grade)

★ "This delightful and meaningful read offers young readers a powerful glimpse into cultural identity, family bonds, and the power of music to bring communal joy and connect to one's heritage."
--Booklist, starred review

★ "Cruz's lyrical and heartfelt words and Batista's warm and emotive illustrations truly encapsulate intergenerational and transnational connections between Dominicans--aquí y allá (here and there)... With countless uses and a resonant story, purchase this for all picture book collections."
--School Library Journal, starred review

"Heartwarming themes of familial love and heritage resonate throughout, and Angélica is a resilient and empathetic protagonist; readers will admire her persistence as she searches for belonging. Rainbow-hued swirls emanate from the güira, infusing Batista's orderly scenes with energy; use of onomatopoeia gives the text an enjoyably rhythmic quality. A melodic tribute to the power of music."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Batista's digitally created art blends vivid, bright colors and fluid imagery that pairs well with Cruz's uplifting text."
--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Angie Cruz is a novelist and editor. She is the author of How Not To Drown in A Glass of Water and Dominicana, which was the inaugural GMA Book Club Pick and the 2019-20 Wordup Uptown Reads selection. It was shortlisted for The Women's Prize, longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and the Aspen Words Literary Prize, it was a RUSA Notable Book, and winner of the ALA/YALSA Alex Award. Cruz divides her time between Pittsburgh, New York, and Turin.

Luz Batista is a story artist and illustrator who grew up in New York City, New Jersey, and Atlanta and spent many summers longing for a visit to the Dominican Republic. Luz graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in animation, and she's currently a story artist and creative consultant at Disney TVA. Angélica and la Güira is her first picture book. Learn more about Luz at luzbatista.com and follow her @johnnyoctopus on Instagram.