With a book title having a word such as 'Abuela' included, a reader can well expect Spanish cultural elements. This is the case in this children's story. Of course, it is still very readable for others of a more English-speaking and cultural background - very much so. I believe that these inferences do NOT distract from the main serious focus of helping and supporting a child through the journey of grief of the loss of a loved one. There are great and colorful accompanying illustrations which further enhance the storyline in meaningful depiction.

Alma's wise parents and extended family helped her through the loss of her Abuela even as they too, grieved. She even had a wonderful surprise on her birthday from the one who really cared.

I believe this would be an excellent choice and help to any child going through such grief. Indeed the endearing story brought tears to my eyes.

At story's end there is, in my opinion, a very helpful Reader's Note in both Spanish and English regarding supporting a child going through the trauma of the grief of the loss of a loved one. This offering from the American Psychological Association in partnership with author Debbie Zapata would be well worthwhile looking into. At least I think so.

A 5-Star rating from me.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

March 2024

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beautiful art, touching story, and great Spanish representation! I love that the afterward details were in Spanish and talked about some of the words and culture that some readers might want more context for. Very sweet!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tears in my eyes after finishing this story. Zapata offers readers a look at a multi-generational family with their Abuela at the center. We see the story from Alma's perspective. She shares how much the family does together and how much joy and love envelop her. When her Abuela dies, she is deep in sorrow and not sure how to find joy again. Readers take this journey with her as she rereads letters her Abuela sent her; finds others who encourage her to continue her activities, and gets a surprise last letter from her. We see Alma write her own letter to Abuela sharing her emotions and life - a healing step that works for her.
A sensitive and supportive portrayal of the grief process. Informative text included at the end in both Spanish and English to help families at tender times after loss.

Abuela has a wonderful relationship with her family. When they come to see her, they always feel loved and valued. When Abuela passes away, her granddaughter feels her absence and struggles with the grief. Finding a letter that Abuela wrote for her, strengthens her and helps her to know that her Abuela lives on.

I loved the story line and the culture of family in this story about grief. It is for all families and the power of grandparents in the life of their grandchildren.

A special thank you to American Psychological Association | Magination Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Abuela’s Letter, by Debbie Zapata and illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz, is a touching story about a family learning to honor their loved ones, regardless of the pain and sorrow. Alma enjoys spending time with her grandmother, always in the company of family and love and laughter. When she passes away, Alma remembers the joy and laughter that her grandmother brought, however difficult it may be. It isn't long before she finds a letter from her grandmother, and realizes that she will always be by Alma’s side, even if she’s no longer there.

The illustrations are incredibly comforting. The fact that Zapata and Ruiz took the time to integrate Hispanic culture into the story shows how crucial it is for children to learn that grief is universal for everyone, even if it might look different from others' traditions. They pair well with Alma’s internal dialogue, and how, despite the smiles around her, nostalgia permeates her voice. And it’s not just her; it’s everyone. They’ve lost someone important, and though they try to keep on with their lives, it’s hard when the one person you can turn to is no longer there. 

I also enjoyed the writing exercise in the end; more often than not I would have clients write letters to loved ones, deceased or otherwise, to get all the emotion built up inside them. How Alma’s grandmother writes her letter gives her the courage to continue living her life with her in her heart. Granted, not all the letters my clients write are that kind-hearted, but I enjoy them nonetheless. 

Grief is complex. There’s a grief that you experience when you know you’re about to die, but you still choose to love life anyway. There’s a grief that comes when a loved one has been taken away all too soon, and all the precious moments you planned out for them dissipate before you. Children have trouble understanding and coping with grief, never mind adults. But that doesn’t mean they can’t learn. Children can grasp that their loved ones are gone, and even though they need support, they can get through it. It’s like how Alma’s grandmother trusted Alma enough to continue pushing forward.

A touching and healing story with beautiful illustrations about grief and how Alma, a young girl who adored her grandmother, deals with her death with the support of her loving family. Highly recommended!

A beautiful story about loss and learning how to move forward while still honouring your late loved ones.

An incredible, diverse story on loss, grief, & the hope for tomorrow. A house full of family & Abuela is Alma's biggest fan! But one day, the house of laughter grows quiet as Abuela becomes very sick & dies. Alma knows she lived a long, happy life but she's sad & struggles to play in her next basketball game. They win, but she doesn't feel like celebrating. This very realistic description of grief is concise & easy to understand for even the youngest of readers. The discussion with her and her Papa is beautiful and shows children that adults feel grief too. It's now Alma's birthday & she is missing her Abuela even more! She ends up finding a letter from her Abuela that she left before her death. The peace & closure she now feels is beautiful. The Reader's Note at the end of the story is a perfect addition for those who are experiencing grief & loss with a child. A beautiful must-read!

Abuela’s Letter is a poignant and heartwarming children’s book that delicately navigates the theme of loss and love.
Through the eyes of a young girl who adores her Abuela and her vibrant family, we witness the sadness that naturally accompanies her Abuela’s passing.
However, the story takes a beautiful turn as the girl receives an unexpected touching letter from her Abuela on her birthday, reminding her of the enduring power of love beyond life.

This book, although short and sweet, is a tender exploration of loss and love. Extremely relatable.
I highly recommend it for families seeking a gentle introduction to discussing the loss of a loved one with children.

Thankyou to author Debbie Zapata, Magination Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Charlene 📚🌸🤗 @lastnownext

Abuela's Letter follows a young girl as she faces the death of her abuela. As the title indicates, this book uses some Spanish words throughout, but the main text of the story is told in English. I enjoyed the text-to-image ratio, the repetition of certain phrases, and the imagery style. I like how the book approached the conversation of grief and that it wasn't too heavy. The book's back matter includes a reader's note with information and activities on how to support your child when dealing with grief as well as a template for a grief letter. The back matter is in English and Spanish.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Abuela's Letter
by Debbie Zapata
Death is part of all lives. Unfortunately students have to face it. This book is a good resource showing that our loved ones are still our support system even after death. The book shows that although we are sad we can remember our loved ones and find strength. This is a good resource for schools to help children through this difficult time. The book has ideas, and would make a good contextual resource for schools to help students.

I absolutely love this story! The loss of a family member is hard for us all to handle, but this sweet story shows ways for children to manage their feelings. Beautifully illustrations compliment the well-written text. Just love it.

This is a beautiful and touching book about grief and celebrating family members. The illustrations are detailed and colourful, and beautifully reflect the story being told. I loved how Spanish words and culture was incorporated into the story, it really enhanced the themes of family. The message about grief and keeping a lost loved one in your heart really hit home. The end matter with the grief letter was a great addition. I hope this book finds its way into many little hands.

Hope. This book shows with love, comes loss. But in love, we carry someone's love with us everywhere we go. Someone's love and memory will stay alive within us, and we can share their love in many different ways.

Thank you NetGalley for a review copy.

This is beautiful book with a great message for young children. Death and grief are hard for anyone to deal with, but especially children. This book is such a great way to show children that their deceased family member will always be there in spirit. I got a little emotional thinking about how I used to write letters with my grandma. It brought back great memories. I liked the inclusion of the grief letter at the end of the book.