Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Carmela Full of Wishes

Top positive review

Hope-LibrarianTop Contributor: Children's Books

An afternoon that turns magical

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018

Carmela is a typical little girl in that she wants to do everything her older brother can, she likes bracelets, and she likes to imagine all sorts of things as she wanders through town tagging after her brother. But in this story, she also learns something new. She learns about making a wish when you blow on a dandelion that’s turned into seeds. Things don’t always work out the way we want, but sometimes, they become magical in other ways. A good ending.

Illustrator Robinson knows just how to make a little girl stand out in a busy city and he gets all her facial expressions, simplistic and clear. De la Pena seems to know something about brothers and sisters and their invisible, powerful bonds. This book will make a good bedtime story or read-around at school, for ages 3-6, perhaps.

15 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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Eman Sanatkar

Too nuanced for a 5 year old to understand the plight of the working class

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019

I get what the writer and artists were trying to teach with displaying a more diverse socioeconomic theme in the book. It wasn't lost on me as a 37 year old...but it was completely lost on my 5 year old.

Each page had several subtle points being made. Well done for a college paper...but not in a children's book. One or two overall subtle themes throughout the book to push the writers social agenda would have a good impact on my kid's world view. I appreciate that kinda book.

I got the strong sense that this book was crafted to target certain parents so they feel like they are 'doing their part' for diversity and social equality.

I give the book two stars not because the book is pushing an agenda, but because it does it so poorly.

11 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Hope-LibrarianTop Contributor: Children's Books

An afternoon that turns magical

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018

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15 people found this helpful

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Sam.Ramon

Great day time story book.

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019

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This book is amazing. It teaches compassion and empathy. I recommend it to all born with us citizenship. Its a great book to start having conversations about immigration and having rights. My 5 year old loves it. We live in an immigrant community, so these conversations are so important.

I've recommended it to all my progressive friends and those who need to be exposed to empathy.

4 people found this helpful

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Tomas Milo

Exceeded my expectations! Another fantastic book!

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2018

Verified Purchase

With this being their next collaboration after Last Stop on Market Street, comparisons will be imminent. My first thought was to compare the two, and I decided I liked this one more. Though it’s not fair to compare the two because they are two different types of stories even if they are both told while traveling through a city. I especially liked the sibling’s aspect of this story and think that anyone with a brother or sister could relate to this book. What amazed me with this book is that each page has so much going on. Between the text and illustrations, there are many opportunities to discuss a variety of topics from this book. I loved the ending, it has such a sweet ending!

19 people found this helpful

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Eman Sanatkar

Too nuanced for a 5 year old to understand the plight of the working class

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019

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11 people found this helpful

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Joel Diaz

great kids book that highlights the experiences of a Latin@ family

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021

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Carmela Full of Wishes, great kids book that highlights the experiences of a Latin@ family. Also if your kid loves dandelions as much as Izzy does. Cute story.

One person found this helpful

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Chelsey Simmons

Beautifully written book about dreams and the love of a family!

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2019

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This book is a dream! The illustrations are fun and whimsical and take us on a beautiful journey with Carmela through her town! The text does an amazing job showing a little girls difficulty to find just one thing to wish for with beautiful undertones of sibling love! This is a must read for every family and a wonderful addition for your classroom library!

One person found this helpful

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Rach

Donating this one. If I had read it, wouldn’t have bought it.

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

A little baffled by this book. Not the best morals in the story or perhaps it is just not for the age group it is suggested for. Reading to my 4 year old son I found myself making up my own story towards the end because throughout the book Carmella is giving dirty looks to her brother in defiance to him calling her “annoying”. She does so because “it’s a free country”. Not the type of thing I want to be teaching my son. Also, I completely respect the cultural side and difficulties we have in this country but trying to explain why Carmella’s dad can’t home because he needs to get his “papers fixed” is just a little too much for a bed time book and the suggested 3-5 reading level age group.

34 people found this helpful

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