Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music

by Michael Genhart PhD, Priscilla Burris (Illustrator)

Overview

Finalist in the International Latino Book Awards

When both grandpas, Abuelo and Opa, visit at the same time, they can’t understand each other’s language and there is a lot of silence. The grandson’s clever thinking helps find a way for everyone to share the day together as two cultures become one family. This unique book includes a bonus fold-out and a note from the author sharing the true story of his own family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433830747
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	04/21/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,124,864
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michael Genhart, PhD, is the descendant of Mexican Americans and Swiss Americans, and is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. He has also written Rainbow: A First Book of Pride; Cake & I Scream!...being bossy isn’t sweet; Mac & Geeeez!...being real is what it’s all about; Peanut Butter & Jellyous...sometimes friendships get sticky; Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways; I See You; and So Many Smarts! He lives with his family in Marin County. Visit MichaelGenhart.com or visit him on Facebook @picturebookauthor.

Priscilla Burris is Mexican American and is a member of the board of advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and its national illustrator coordinator and advisor. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit priscillaburris.com and visit her on Instagram and Twitter @PriscillaDesign.

 

Editorial Reviews

Genhart pulls from his own childhood growing up in bicultural family in this cheery picture book, which tells of a young boy and how the accordion brought his family together…. Music is the universal language…. Great for reading aloud and featuring bright, energetic illustrations, this endearing story supports diversity and multicultural inclusion.” —Booklist

Booklist

Genhart’s story is pure joy…. his is a very clever idea for a book, as we all have bits of different cultures in our history.  And there are many of us who have chosen to create bicultural and multiracial families through adoption.  This book will have a far-reaching appeal to many families. It is such an uplifting and feel-good story.

Children's Books Heal

03/01/2020

K-Gr 2—Members of multiracial families may have more in common than expected. This is the story of a young boy whose grandfathers cannot understand each other because they come from different countries and speak different languages. This saddens the boy, especially at family gatherings. One day, the boy realizes that even though his Abuelo and his Opa do not speak the same language, they are both great accordion players and share a love for music that radiates to the whole family. Genhart, who is Mexican and Swiss American, is a clinical psychologist and an Independent Publisher Book Award recipient for children's books. The mixed Latin-European heritage is conveyed by the main character as he tries to reconcile the differences between the two sides of his family and the features that bring them together. The illustrations rely on expressive tertiary characters and a pictorial setting built with shades of brown and other brighter colors to depict the story line. This picture book is published by an imprint of the American Psychological Association, which may resonate with parents who are looking for a story based on mixed-race families. Even more, the boy's problem-solving abilities offer an opportunity to talk to children about situations that trouble them, and possible solutions. VERDICT A thoughtful picture book for storytime and one-on-one reads.—Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

2020-02-09
Genhart draws on his own family’s history for inspiration in his newest diversity-celebrating picture book.

Abuelo plays accordion in a mariachi band where he “hoots and hollers” louder than anyone. Opa plays accordion in a polka band where his yodels can “[make] the windows shake.” But when Abuelo and Opa get together at their grandchild’s home, the Mexican-German cultural divide seems a chasm too wide to span. Though both are perfectly polite, an uncomfortable silence begins to settle—until the empathetic protagonist encourages them both to get out their accordions. Through their shared love of music, harmony is soon restored and a bridge built between two cultures. This is a reassuring story, emphasizing that though we may be different we can find common ground, an especially important message for multiracial/multiethnic children who can often feel pulled between competing identities. Burris’ dot-eyed and brightly colored illustrations are darling, highlighting each culture well. The narrator has light-brown skin and dark hair; Abuelo’s side of the family has brown skin and Opa’s, white. As mixed-race families continue to grow, this title is sure to find a ready audience. Notes from both author and illustrator celebrate their own multiethnic backgrounds, which contributed to the story.

A warm musical celebration of multicultural families . (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews