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My Papi Has a Motorcycle



Last updated Sunday, December 27, 2020

Author: Isabel Quintero
Illustrator: Zeke Peña
Date of Publication: 2019
ISBN: 052555341X
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2020

Synopsis: When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there.

Note to readers:
•  This book is set in real-life Corona, California. A map and photos of the actual city are in the Pinterest section for this book. The drawings are beautiful and it's a sweet story. Perfect for a picture walk before you start reading!
•  Check out page 19 for more about Corona and the inpiration for the book.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Who has been to Corona? What can you tell us about it?
•  Does someone in your family or a friend have a motorcycle? What kind? What color?
•  What relatives do you have near you? Grandparents? Aunts or Uncles?
•  Where do you like to go with your family?

Vocabulary

•  papi - this is an affectionate word for daddy
•  lista - ready
•  abuelita and abuelito - diminutives for grandmother and grandfather
•  tortilleria - a place that makes tortillas (accent is on the last "i")
•  raspados - Mexican snow cone. Ice Shaved into a ball and flavored with a syrup of your choice.
•  frutas naturales - fresh fruits
•  nopales - cactus paddles (a vegetable)
•  herb - flavored with herbs, spices
•  albondigas - meatballs (usually soup)
•  panaderia - (bread) bakery
•  conchas - sweet rolls shaped like conch shells
•  chichle - bubblegum
•  fresa - strawberry

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle? What would be your favorite ride?
•  page 6 - she describes the shedding of the sawdust off her father as being like a tail of the comet. Did anyone see the comet last month?
•  The last line in the book is, "Home is a feeling you take with you." What does that mean?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw your neighborhood, draw yourself traveling around it on their favorite ride - a bike, motorcycle, car, helicopter, plane or maybe even a spaceship!
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/august-2020-arts-creativity/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!