Tíos & Primos Book Review

Tíos & Primos is written and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. In this story a girl travels with her father to Honduras. She’s nervous about her limited Spanish. How will she connect with her relatives? How will she communicate? Luckily, she discovers many ways to feel at home.

What makes this book special?

The creator uses speech bubbles for family conversations. Spanish words also appear in the background for authentic context. From interiors of family homes to lush flora and bustling streets, the illustrations make Honduras itself feel like a character.

The story shows uncomfortable moments of language barriers honestly, but connection happens through play, music, and shared joy—not just words. It’s refreshing to see a father guiding his daughter through culture and heritage.

For educators note that this book sparks classroom conversations about culture, fitting in and navigating two worlds. It aligns with standards promoting basic life-skills and is also perfect for Pre-K through 3rd grade social studies learning goals. Teachers can pull out a globe or world map to share a little geography lesson. 

For families, the book’s great for children navigating cultural connections. And is especially valuable for bilingual households. It validates the complexity of heritage, language learning, and family. It celebrates how children can ultimately find belonging despite being perceived at first as outsiders.  

Tíos & Primos is honest and joyful. A beautiful resource for the classroom or home. Thanks for listening! I’m Helina Seyoum, an Editor at This Month and a Mom of two!