June 15, 2017
Young, bronze-skinned Wilson shares with his community and with his elder friend, Gigi, all the ways he wants to improve Gigi's home one day--until "one day" arrives.Before the formal title page, Wilson is seen gazing at a bright pink flier on the window of La Luna Cafe. Opposite this illustration is the flyer's enlargement--"Build Up Neighbors"--entreating readers to "Fix a neighbor's home together!" Wilson has apparently torn off one of the phone-numbered strips at the bottom. The text begins in earnest with Wilson telling Gigi that one day he will paint her house "orange and yellow like the sun." As in each successive conversation between the two, Gigi likes his idea but also reminds Wilson that his presence in her life is more important than any home repair. In between these sweet litanies, Wilson tells such people as the ice cream man, a passing neighbor, and the local librarian of envisioned improvements. All conversations begin with Wilson's "One day...." The vibrant, mixed-media artwork depicts an established neighborhood of mixed ethnicities. Scenes of neighborhood conversations are interspersed with Wilson's own childlike, colored drawings, embellished by such details as his calculations of how many nails would be needed in a new fence. Art and text together radiate a warm message of community and caring. A labor of love honoring labors of love. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-7)
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September 1, 2017
K-Gr 3-One day, Wilson promises to paint Gigi's house "orange and yellow like the sun." The older woman is pleased and responds, "But today, you are all the sunshine I need." Wilson's ideas for his friend's home are supported by people in the neighborhood, from the ice cream vendor to the local librarian, and even his classmates and teacher. Time and seasons pass, until that one day arrives and the community comes together to repair and spruce up Gigi's house and yard. The story begins before the title page when Wilson comes across a sign at the local La Luna Cafe. He tears off the phone number encouraging people to "Fix a neighbor's home together!" Richly colored mixed-media collage illustrations call to mind folk art, naive in tone but effectually depicting the neighborhood and its residents. Images of Wilson's vision for Gigi's home are interspersed and appear to done by a child with handwritten notes on the side. This is a warm story based on the author's experience in cooperative neighborhood efforts. VERDICT A useful and appealing story that provides a great sense of community. An inspirational choice to read aloud or one-on-one.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2017
Grades K-2 Generous, kind-hearted Wilson's elderly neighbor Gigi has a home in desperate need of rehabilitation, and he discovers the perfect plan: a community program where neighbors pitch in to do yard work and home repair. Wilson keeps his plan a secret, instead telling Gigi about all the nice things he'd fix at her house one day. One day . . . I will build a fence around the yard so you can have a dog to keep you company. With every new plan, Gigi and others remind him that, no matter what Gigi's house is like, his friendship is a precious gift nonetheless. Diaz' mixed-media illustrations, rendered in bold, saturated colors, engagingly depict Wilson and Gigi's vibrant, multicultural neighborhood, and her expressive faces reveal a nice depth of emotion, particularly Gigi's surprise when Wilson's plans eventually become a reality, with the help of the whole neighborhood. This bright, happy story with an affirming conclusion emphasizes the value of a supportive community and offers young readers tangible ways they can take action in their own neighborhoods.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2018
Spending time with an older neighbor, GiGi, a boy named Wilson daydreams of "one day" fixing up her house, which has fallen into disrepair. The determined Wilson shares his ideas with his whole community. The payoff comes when "one day" arrives, and readers discover that Wilson was not just daydreaming but thoughtfully putting a plan into action. Diaz's sunny mixed-media art mirrors the collaborative spirit of the story.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
November 1, 2017
Spending time with an older neighbor, GiGi, a boy named Wilson daydreams of one day fixing up her house, which has fallen into disrepair. Wilson talks about various home improvements, such as painting the house orange and yellow like the sun, repairing the stairs, and planting a garden. GiGi is always appreciative, but insists that Wilson's company is all she needs. When Wilson tells her, One day, I will fix your piano so you can play music again, GiGi replies lovingly that she will like that. But today, you are the song in my heart. Durango's story is not just about GiGi and Wilson's friendship; it's also a celebration of the power of community. The determined Wilson does not keep his plans to himself, but shares his ideas with seemingly anyone who will listen: neighbors, his teacher, the librarian, the ice-cream man. The payoff comes when one day arrives and we discover that kind Wilson was not just daydreaming but thoughtfully putting a detailed plan into action. By using mixed-media art, Diaz subtly mirrors the spirit of the story; the various elements in each illustration (a combination that includes collage, paint, crayons, and handmade paper) give the pictures a collaborative feel. Just like the community coming together to fix up GiGi's house, Diaz draws on different skills and techniques to create something greater than the sum of its parts. minh le
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)