Piece by Piece

A touching and beautifully written picture book biography of an ordinary girl who used her talent to create an extraordinary gift for a remarkable president. Told with dignity and heart -- a worthwhile addition to history collections.

During the Great Depression, young Ernestine Guerra dropped out of school and became her father’s assistant. carpenter. Eventually her father became unemployed .The family received free food from FDR’s federal program. To show her tremendous gratitude, Ernestine used the wood from the food crates the family received to create an elaborate clock case that required 156 pieces of wood. It took her a year to practice the woodworking required. When it was finished, she sent it along with a note. She received a note in reply. The clock case and her letters are on display at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York. This is a wonderful true story of expressing kindness and gratitude during a trying time in our history.

Piece by Piece is a beautiful storybook that teaches children a lesson in history by telling the story of Ernestine Guerrero, a teenager living in Texas during the Great Depression. Ernestine, grateful for the food crates the government under FDR’s New Deal was providing, decided to use her woodworking skills to create an intricately-designed decorative clock for FDR, as both thanks and encouragement to continue the program.

This book provides a glimpse into this hard time in history that gives perspective both to little ones and adults alike. Illustrator Anna López Real did a lovely job with the imagery as well.

Thank you to author Lupe Ruiz-Flores, illustrator Anna López Real, NetGalley, and Millbrook Press for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

“The true story of a girl who, piece by piece, created a gift for a president.”

This story is SO cool!! 0.0 I have always loved stories of the Great Depression, and this one did not disappoint. I love books that tell microhistories.

The artwork in this book was beautiful! There was also a good amount of history sprinkled throughout about the Great Depression. The artwork and words work together to tell the compelling story of a difficult time in history. This would be great on a teachers shelf! I work for a food relief organization, and think hunger can be such a difficult concept to explain to a child... this book would be a huge help with that! I especially appreciated that there was a glossary and history in the back, as well.

So good! 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. This was a lovely story about a young person expressing gratitude in a truly remarkable way. She didn't do it for the glory or fame and went on with her life. I'm glad the author shared the story of this person and what she created.

This was a really touching true story. Ernestine was a Mexican American girl whose family was affected by the Great Depression. To show her gratitude to President Roosevelt, she used pieces of the wood crates containing food from the bread lines to construct an amazing work of art as his gift. The clock case is still displayed in a museum honoring the President. Gifts from the heart show so much love and appreciation. This would be a great story to share with children about how important and treasured homemade gifts are.

This book was lovely and atmosphere. I think it would be perfect for higher level elementary school students 2-5th grade.

The Great Depression isn’t something we learn a lot about in school.

This book is more than learning about The Great Depression it’s about perseverance and drive as well as giving thanks.

It was just really well written and the illustrations were pleasing as well.

Piece by Piece
Ernestine's Gift for President Roosevelt
by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Pub Date 05 Sep 2023
Lerner Publishing Group, Millbrook Press ™
Biographies & Memoirs | Children's Nonfiction | History


In conjunction with Lerner Publishing Group, Millbrook Press, and Netgalley, I am reviewing a copy of Piece by Piece:


Ernestine Guerrero's family struggled during the Great Depression.


In gratitude for the government food assistance they received in San Antonio, Texas, the Mexican American teen wanted to personally thank President Roosevelt. But how? After viewing the plans for a very difficult woodworking project, she decided to make it herself and send it to the president. Piece by piece, that is exactly what she accomplished. Her clock case remains on display in the Roosevelt Presidential Library to this day.


In this picture book with striking illustrations by Anna Lopez Real, the author tells the inspiring true story of a girl who proved that if you look carefully, treasure can be found in unexpected places.


I give Piece by Piece five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Please read the author's note at the end! It gives so much more interesting information to the story that I wish had been included into the story itself. Piece by Piece is one of those great stories from history that should be more well known. It is both sadening and heartwarming of a tale. I wish I had half the talent or determination that Ernestine showed at even such a young age. My only complaint is that I wish the book included a better (and bigger ) image of the actual letter she wrote to the president as well as a typed version for those who struggle to read cursive. The one included in the authors note was so small that I had to look it up online just to be able to read it fully.