Written by Cindy L. Rodriguez and illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalán, Three Pockets Full: A Story of Love, Family, and Tradition will delight young readers as it skillfuly balances themes of grief and change with humor and hope.
Beto is adamant that he doesn’t want to wear a guayabera, a traditional Mexican wedding shirt, to his mother’s wedding. He repeats the fun refrain: “Nope! Nunca! Not going to happen!” and each time finds unique and often hilarious ways to return the shirt to his Mami. But when Beto finds a photo of his father, who has died, we understand his reluctance to wear the shirt or even attend the wedding.
The story even finds charming ways to engage the reader. When Beto keeps his fourth pocket in his shirt empty, the reader is left wondering not only what Beto will put in it, but what they would put in it.
Three Pockets Full shows the power of traditions. Readers will love learning about the guayabera shirt and how it allows Beto to embrace his past while stepping into a new future with his mother and David. Three Pockets Full will leave young and old hearts alike full of wonder and appreciation.
I received a free advanced reader copy of Three Pockets Full in exchange for an unbiased review.
Age range: 5-7 years old
Three Pockets Full will publish on September 1st, 2022. Add it to your “want to read” list on Goodreads, or order on Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.
