No More Señora Mimí
by Meg Medina; illus. by Brittany Cicchese
Preschool, Primary    Candlewick    32 pp.
9/24    9781536219449    $17.99
e-book ed.  9781536240450    $17.99
Spanish ed.  9781536239294    $17.99

Ana spends mornings and afternoons with señora Mimí, her neighbor and babysitter who has “a two-tooth baby named Nelson and a no-tooth dog named Pancho.” She is excited that her abuela is going to start watching her when she moves in with Ana and her mami until Ana realizes, “No more señora Mimí? I hadn’t really thought about that.” On her last afternoon at señora Mimí’s, Ana starts to feel down about a new routine without her beloved babysitter. Señora Mimí consoles her: “Grandmothers love us in a very special way, so I know you are excited about your abuela. But I will miss you, Ana, and I feel a little sad.” They come up with some concrete ways they can all be friends when her abuela comes, and that cheers them both up. Cicchese’s soft digital illustrations are filled with inviting jewel tones and soothing textures including crayon strokes, knit patterns, and wood grain. Medina captures the young narrator’s voice perfectly so that young readers will be able to understand the tricky emotions that come up in the text. This is a warm tribute to all sorts of caregivers, and the final scene shows Ana’s abuela fitting in seamlessly with this loving relationship. Concurrently published in Spanish as No más señora Mimí.

From the ">September/October 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.