Book Review: Only A Trenza Away

As I was reading Only A Trenza Away, my little puppy kept coming over, as if he was interested in the story, too, and it was really cute. 

This sweet children's book highlights a father's love for his daughter as he braids her hair every night and they go on adventures together. Sometimes her braids are turned into vines in the jungle, and sometimes they are jump ropes, but what can Xiomara do when her dad has to work late and can't help her with her trenzas? Can she be brave without him?

The author does a wonderful job of showing how braids can be physically and emotionally intertwined with love. Xiomara is a wonderful character that children will relate to. The illustrations are really well done, so colorful and eye-catching, and include a touch of whimsy as Xiomara and her dad go on their adventures during their special braiding time. I really enjoyed this book and there are several spots in the book that could spark a discussion with your family on how to be brave, love yourself, and feel your family's love. There is also some author's notes about the origins of braiding which was really interesting as well.

(Here's my puppy reading the book with me.)

Here's the back copy:

A little girl feels her father's love as he takes time to braid her hair each night and share imaginative bedtime stories.

Every night, Xiomara's (zee-oh-MA-da) papa delicately braids her hair before bed. As he gently tugs and twists and tightens her hair, father and daughter embark on imaginative and fun adventures as he makes up stories about Xia and her trenzas, or "braids" in Spanish.

In one story, her trenza becomes a sturdy twisted vine that she uses to bravely swing through the jungle. In another, her trenzas are jump ropes as she catches the beat to play double Dutch with the best players in the neighborhood.

But Xia worries what she would do if Papa was not there to help her in a real adventure―like starting a new school. Could the strength Xia needs already be woven into her braids?

You can preorder your copy HERE