Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews - Book Sixty-Two

All too often real life does not live up to our expectations. Our imaginations conjures up situations that aren't very realistic, and we often feel disappointed that things did not turn out the way we hoped. In this picture book one little girl's dreams  and expectations are very grand and exciting, and what she gets in real life is a lot simpler.

The best family in the world

Susana Lopez

Illustrated by Ulises Wensell

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Kane Miller, 2008, 978-1-935279-47-1

   One morning the director of the orphanage tells Carlota that she has been adopted, and that her new family will be picking her up the very next day. Carlota is so excited that she cannot sleep. She imagines what her life will be like if her new family are pastry chefs, or pirates, or tiger trainers, or astronauts. In each case, her new family will be “the best family in the world.”

   In the morning, Mr. and Mrs. Perez come to the orphanage to collect Carlota. Mrs Perez is not a chef, nor is Mr. Perez a pirate. Carlota’s new brother is just an ordinary boy, and her new grandmother is a retired old lady and not a tiger trainer. Is her new everyday family going to be enough for Carlota?

   In this charming picture book, we meet a little orphaned girl who has big dreams about her future family. Though her real family is not as glamorous as the ones she conjures up in her imagination, they still are “the best family in the world,” because they show their love for her in many ways.

   With delightful illustrations and a warm message about hope and new beginnings, this is a picture book that children will greatly enjoy.