Only a Trenza Away- A Tale of Trust and Strength, by Nadine Fonseca, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine
Only a Trenza Away, is a tender story where a daughter deeply connects with her father, as he lovingly braids her hair every night.
An adorable book with mesmerizing illustrations, where a young girl Xio learns different virtues like patience, bravery, trust, strength from her father as he carefully braids her tresses every night. As her father braids Xio’s hair, she feels safe and secured protected by her father near her, brave and strong to face the world.

It’s about how a small nighttime routine can turn into a meaningful bonding time where a father and daughter go on a journey together. A journey that is colorful, enchanting, and at times unfamiliar. This is when the father bolsters Xio, to be ready to face the world even if he would not be there with her. Clearly, this nighttime routine helps Xio navigate through the unforeseen times, instill love and confidence and thus shape her personality.

This unique story is a family staple, we loved it and we believe your family will love it too.

This is a cute story of a little girl and her father. While he braided her hair they would go on adventures in their minds together. But one night when her PaPa was working late she began to doubted herself that she could face new challenges. she felt lost and out of place without Papa there to guide her on her adventures. The next night when they sat down to braid her hair her Papa told her that she will need to be brave, patient, focused, curious, and he told her ,when your alone your never alone.
I didn’t know this about the history of braids.
Braids (or trenzas, in Spanish) are one of the oldest hairstyles in the world, dating back more than 25,000 years.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This lovely illustrated book is about Xiomara's relationship with her father and their bond. Every night her father braids her hair before she goes to sleep, and during this process they share adventures and stories in lots of possible scenarios, while she also learns about her own confidence and strength.
First of all the illustrations by Camila Carrosinne are stunning and so colorful, I'm obsessed. And the story has a beautiful father-daughter relationship, that even reminded me of my own relationship with my dad, and when he combed my hair before school. I loved how imaginative their "trips" were and the important lesson she learns by the end about her own life, future and her family's traditions with braids.

This charming picture book is something we need more of! This is a book about a little girl and her relationship with her daughter. After bath time each night he weaves her hair into a braid, whilst telling her stories. In telling her stories the father is preparing the daughter for her future, when he won't be there, telling her she will be strong enough to face whatever comes.

This is a story of familial love, body positivity, tradition and tenderness. I loved it.

The artwork was beautiful, the storytelling was perfect. I give this 5 stars.

I enjoyed reading this book and remembered my own long trenzas as a little girl. I thought the author’s note was interesting also.

This might be the most wholesome father/daughter book I have ever read! I follows Xia and her Dad and their nightly routine of braiding her hair before bed. The loving connection between them, the magic that their little routine has and the cultural aspect make this a special book!

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This books follows the nightly routine of a father and his daughter of him braiding her hair, trenzas. The magic and connection between the father and Xiomara just touched my heart, as someone who also has a tight connection with her own papa (although, as much as he tried -- no help with my trenzas in my youth) -- it was nice to see a book where that is portrayed. I loved reading and seeing the beautiful illustrations about their nightly adventures. This was also about routine, and when that routine gets interrupted for children, it can be an emotional moment for them and the little life lesson papa gives Xio at the end of the book will just melt your heart, it's a lesson we, as adults, can also keep in our hearts. What a beautiful book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely adventure between a little girl and her father's nightly routine before bed. He braids her hair and she imagines wild stories that take place between her and her father. When he's late to return home, she doesn't get her hair braided and worry pervades her sleep and creates a huge tangle in more ways than one. This is a great story about how children love structure but when that routine is disrupted, they need reassurance that all will be okay. Her father explains how he loves to braid her hair because he used to help his sisters with their "trenzas" until they no longer needed him. Both get to enjoy the quality time they spend prepping for bed after his long day at work. The illustrations were very sweet. I love the colors and the Spanish language that is inserted throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a lovely gentle book. I want to gift it to all my long haired little friends and use it to start new traditions in my own family. I will never look at braids the same way.

A cute story about a girl who loves when her dad braids her hair and tells her stories at night. Each night, during her trenza, she hears magical stories and is transported. A cute story with beautiful illustrations!

There is too many great things to say about this book for a written review.

I loved the bond between the father and daughter, the imagination that takes place each night as he braids her hair, the lesson of taking on things by yourself but having your families support and love, the breathtaking illustrations, the history of a braid/trenza, the cultural representation...

GAH! This book and these illustrations are excellent! I wont be able to stop raving about this book!

What a beautiful story about confidence, culture and a sweet father-daughter relationship!

This would be the perfect book for any child, especially those who may be experiencing life changes or challenges. I love the depiction of the relationship between the child and her father and how important this special time is to her. I also enjoyed the cultural aspect of the book, which could be explored further as part of a lesson or just to extend the reader's interest.

I would definitely purchase a hard copy for my daughter once it's released! Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Xiomara's father puts her hair in a trenza, or braid, every evening. As he brushes and braids her hair Xiomara tells him stories about different adventures. One night he must work late and is not able to braid her hair. When Xiomara speaks to him the next day, he tells her why he helps her.
The family history element was very moving. This book is good for all children because it can help remind them about the family activities that they have and the histories behind them.

Such a Sweet Story

Only a Trenza Away is such a sweet story of family relationships, specifically that of a father and daughter. Every night father and daughter go on wonderful adventures as the father braids his daughter's hair and teaches her life lessons. An extra treat can be found at the end of the story where the author shares information which adds an extra special touch. The story and the beautiful illustrations will tug at your heartstrings for sure.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All comments and opinions are voluntary and strictly my own.

This is a very sweet story about the importance of family time. I love that the father in this story is the one who braids the hair. It is important to show different types of family relationships. The traditions and storytelling is a nice way to illustrate how we can share our histories without just talking about them. I like the positive message that this story tells and the illustrations bring the words to vivid life.

A cute story about a Dad braiding his daughter's hair every night before bed so it doesn't get tangled.

My complaints - we don't speak Spanish, so there are words that we can't understand. The girl's name is complicated & hard to pronounce. And one night when Dad doesn't make it home in time (he had to work late), her Mom just says, "I wish I could help you..."

(I was able to preview this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cute story about a father teaching his daughter all the things he wants her to know and learn about herself through a daily event.

Only A Trenza Away is a beautiful story for children. I loved the relationship between the little girl and her father. The little girl has a wonderful imagination and I loved the places her and her father went to. The illustrations are bright and engaging!

The author’s note at the end was a nice touch and taught me some history I wasn’t aware of.

This is a sweet, quick read that warms your heart and soul. The family bond is so strong and loving between this father and daughter. This father shows that he loves his daughter by braiding her hair every night and creating adventures together. While one might think this is simply about braiding hair, this father is instilling and establishing foundations of love, trust and self confidence that she will need and use for the rest of her life. As we grow, it’s only natural for roles to shift and children learn to do things on their own and grow more independent. But knowing that her father is there for her any time she needs it, is endearing and heartwarming.

Yes the book is short but it’s so magical! Zia and her father have got a special routine each day at the end of the day, her father doing the special braids for her hair and have lots of fun adventure with him. I would stop here and tell you the illustrations are breathtaking!

However, some days when her father couldn’t come back home in time Xia gets worried and she feels no one will help her in her adventures. Well, her father gives her an answer which we all will gain the most out of.

Read this beautiful magical book to know when it comes out!

Thank you, Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the advance reading copy.