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In the Groves
From debut author-illustrator Andrea Floren comes a whimsical Spanglish picture book about finding belonging in an unlikely place.Clara visits her abuelo and many, many cousins in California every year. And every year, her family tells tall tales about her abuelo’s orange There’s magic! There’s mischief! There’s monstruos! But Clara’s never been to the orange groves. And she’s determined to change that.So when her cousins aren’t looking, Clara sneaks into her abuelo’s truck and makes her way to the orange groves. Once Abuelo spots her, he and Clara have a wondrous time serenading oranges, bravely defending the groves against gophers, and eating some delicious tacos with—WHEW—just a little bit of spice.Soon, Clara has magical tall tales to tell of her own. For she’s no longer just a She belongs to the groves, and the groves belong to her.
- GenresPicture Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 22, 2024
In the Groves by Andrea Cruz Florez is a beautiful book about cultural belonging that was inspired by her own grandfather and his orange groves. Clara doesn’t live near her extended family and when she comes to visit, her family wants to take her to all the special places that they think she’d love to visit. But Clara only wants to see one thing: her grandfather’s orange groves. When she finally makes that wish come true, she has the most magical day that she’ll never forget. Written with both English and Spanish, readers will feel an instant sense of belonging inside the pages of this book. It’s beautifully illustrated and includes a heartfelt note from the author to keep your own family stories alive.
September 22, 2024
This story is so lovely! Clara visits family in California, and she always feels a bit like an outsider because she's treated like a visitor when she comes instead of just plain familia. When she sneaks to the orange groves to work with her Abuelo, she is finally able to have the same experiences as her other family members. She sings to the trees, and checks for gophers, just like her Abuelo and family before her. Abuelo shares stories and his lunch, and Clara finally feels at home. I love the Spanish sprinkled throughout the story, and the detailed illustrations add to the re-readability of this beautiful book. Back matter includes an author's note and a glossary. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries!
June 13, 2024
IN THE GROVES is a gorgeously illustrated picture book about a girl finding her place on her family tree, quite literally and figuratively. The magical realism, charming characters and touching message about how we forge our connections with our heritage makes this a must-have for all book shelves!!
August 12, 2024
Love connects. First it connects us to family, but is that enough? Young Clara is yearning for more than love. Her deepest wish is to share experiences with Abuelo so she can participate with her California family as they sit and share their tall tales of the groves. She is the visitor from out state, connected by love, but with little sense of bonding.
Feelings of being an outsider stir in Clara on the annual California trip to visit the familia. Her California family is loving and welcoming. At mealtimes the ambiance is enlivened by sharing food, and sharing exciting experiences they’ve had in the groves with Abuelo. Uncles, aunts, primos and even Mami recount their tall tales of adventures in the groves with Abuelo. Clara can only wistfully listen to the entertaining stories.
Read the story to discover whether she achieves her goal. Will she have her own tall tales to share at family meals? Will Abuelo still think of the groves as no place for visitors? Will Clara find her place in her family?
This story is a lovely tribute to a hardworking, beloved Abuelo. Clara’s poignancy, determination, imagination and love in this touching, vibrantly illustrated story, takes the reader into the culture, traditions, language intertwining, values, and self-empowerment. Most of all, it is also a reminder of the importance of shared experiences as we love and bond throughout our lives.
Feelings of being an outsider stir in Clara on the annual California trip to visit the familia. Her California family is loving and welcoming. At mealtimes the ambiance is enlivened by sharing food, and sharing exciting experiences they’ve had in the groves with Abuelo. Uncles, aunts, primos and even Mami recount their tall tales of adventures in the groves with Abuelo. Clara can only wistfully listen to the entertaining stories.
Read the story to discover whether she achieves her goal. Will she have her own tall tales to share at family meals? Will Abuelo still think of the groves as no place for visitors? Will Clara find her place in her family?
This story is a lovely tribute to a hardworking, beloved Abuelo. Clara’s poignancy, determination, imagination and love in this touching, vibrantly illustrated story, takes the reader into the culture, traditions, language intertwining, values, and self-empowerment. Most of all, it is also a reminder of the importance of shared experiences as we love and bond throughout our lives.
July 2, 2024
IN THE GROVES by Andrea Cruz Floren is a whimsical and heartwarming Spanglish picture book that beautifully captures the essence of family, belonging, and heritage. Every year, Clara visits her abuelo and many cousins in California, yearning to be more than just a visitor. She dreams of experiencing the magic of the orange groves and having her own tall tales to share.
The gorgeous illustrations bring to life the enchantment of Clara’s adventures in the groves, where she and her abuelo share stories, food, and hard work. Through their time together, they forge a deep connection that is both touching and inspiring. Clara's journey from feeling like an outsider to truly belonging in the groves is a narrative that will resonate with many.
This book wonderfully depicts the traditions and stories passed down through generations, with subtle nods to California’s historical agricultural workers.
I also loved the Author’s Note and felt so inspired by her words…”Keep your families stories alive.” Yes, always!
I highly recommend this book for readers young and old who appreciate the importance of family bonds and cultural heritage.
The gorgeous illustrations bring to life the enchantment of Clara’s adventures in the groves, where she and her abuelo share stories, food, and hard work. Through their time together, they forge a deep connection that is both touching and inspiring. Clara's journey from feeling like an outsider to truly belonging in the groves is a narrative that will resonate with many.
This book wonderfully depicts the traditions and stories passed down through generations, with subtle nods to California’s historical agricultural workers.
I also loved the Author’s Note and felt so inspired by her words…”Keep your families stories alive.” Yes, always!
I highly recommend this book for readers young and old who appreciate the importance of family bonds and cultural heritage.
October 3, 2024
In the Groves is a sweet and heartwarming story about a girl, Clara, who is longing to feel part of her big family, and to do that, she wants to experience a visit to the family's groves. Feeling like an outsider who comes to visit instead of a family member, Clara sneaks into Abuelo's truck and spends the day with him in that beautiful place where she wished to be. There Clara will find a way to be in touch with her roots and learn her ancestors' stories. At the same time she'll have magical moments with Abuelo, which will allow her to finally feel like she belongs and owns a place in her family's story.
The illustrations in this book are colorful and engaging, and the Spanish sprinkled throughout the text makes the story more authentic.
This book would make a great addition to home, library, and school collections.
The illustrations in this book are colorful and engaging, and the Spanish sprinkled throughout the text makes the story more authentic.
This book would make a great addition to home, library, and school collections.
June 21, 2024
Sweet and inspiring story about a little girl who desperately wants to visit the orange groves with her abuelo so she can feel like a part of the family. When she stows away in her grandfather’s truck and they end up together in the groves, work and fun ensue! Very uplifting! Highlights the importance of hard work and sacrifice for family as well as the intergenerational love shared between grandfather and granddaughter. Delightful illustrations make the story super fun to read. Spanish words woven seamlessly throughout with a glossary at the end. Highly recommend. Great for gifting or for reading in the classroom. I can imaging small students copying the actions that our heroine embraces singing to the trees and catching gophers.
June 14, 2024
"In the Groves" is a story that speaks to us about family, culture, and everything that makes us feel like we belong. Andrea Cruz Floren conveys with humor how Clara, along with Abuelo, finally finds her story within the orange groves that their ancestors began working on when they emigrated to a new country. The hard work and hardships endured are implicit in the story, but so are the family love and the deep cultural roots in the hearts of its characters. The illustrations are vibrant and colorful, which makes them appealing to children. This beautiful book is a perfect addition to any library, school, or home.
July 28, 2024
I have been waiting to read this beautiful book by Andrea Cruz Floren, and what a treat it was! This story reminds us of the importance of familial love and the sharing of intergenerational stories. We join Clara as she establishes a sense of belonging in this heart-warming tale. It will call to you and your little one to seek out family stories and more family time. I loved the Spanish words woven throughout. It was kind of like a treasure hunt. And, there’s a glossary of Spanish words if you need it! You will also be delighted by the whimsical illustrations that help bring Clara’s story to life. So special.
June 17, 2024
I absolutely adored IN THE GROVES by Andrea Cruz Floren! In this story about family, culture, and legacy, Clara years to feel part of her big family, not a tourist or a stranger, and this includes visiting the magical orange groves her abuelo tends. Cruz Floren's text is funny and heartwarming, and the illustrations are just so lovely. And I really connected with Clara's desires and attempts at finding her place and voice within her large family. This one is special, and will resonate with many kids and adults alike.
June 23, 2024
As someone from Mexico that lives far from her family, I identified with little Clara, there is a difference between being a tourist when you visit your family, and really belonging. In the Groves is the perfect portrait of that experience, wanting to belong to the family and experiencing everything. The illustrations are amazing and invite the reader to get into this wonderful world in California, surrounded by groves and also shows in a funny and sweet way, about the hard work that has to be done in order to offer our immigrant families a better life.
June 25, 2024
Every year, Clara visits her abuelo and her familia in California. She yearns to be connected with the family; not as a visitor but as one of the cousins that help out Abuelo in the groves. More than anything she wants to experience the magic of the groves and have tales of her own to share at the dinner table. In the groves, Abuelo and Clara share stories, food, and hard work. They find connection. This beautiful story will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. This is one of those books you'll want to hug and share widely with other readers.
June 28, 2024
I love this book. It’s a story of adventure, exploration, and family. It is a wonderfully personal story and one that will appeal to a reader of any age. For anyone who has lived between different worlds or curious about one beyond one’s own familiarity, the story seeks to understand identity and find belonging. As a father, I loved to read picture books with my children and this is one I would read time and again. I wish this book existed when I was a child and am grateful it exists for my children.
July 29, 2024
As a bilingual educator of many years this book is beyond touching and heart warming. It is a window to the life of a multilingual learner and how they can strive to find a way to belong. This is an important read as it invites students from different family heritages to be relentless and to ask important family history questions in order to shape who they are. This paired with the beautiful illustrations and the easy to engage text that has both English and Spanish made this book a keeper. I will definitely make sure this book is included in my language library.
September 10, 2024
IN THE GROVES is magic, family, and belonging all expertly woven together. The art style brings generations of family to life, each with their unique personalities and incredible facial expressions. We follow a young girl as she finds her own place in her family's story. Growing up around tales of the groves, she is determined to have her own experience to share across the dinner table. I love how the groves feel like a character and offer a space of creative play and connection. I highly recommend this story to anyone who believes in the power of story and the connections they bring us!
October 3, 2024
An afternoon romp in her grandpa’s citrus groves brings Clara the sense of belonging that she has yearned for. I’ll bet her abuelo will always remember the day his groves came alive with music and imagination.
This book tugged at my heart and brought back so many memories I have as a child, helping my busha make homemade noodles, kielbasa, kruschiki and an array of other Polish delights. We need to encourage our families to continue to talk about those favorite family moments or our oral histories will be lost forever This is the greatest gift we can leave for future generations! 💛
This book tugged at my heart and brought back so many memories I have as a child, helping my busha make homemade noodles, kielbasa, kruschiki and an array of other Polish delights. We need to encourage our families to continue to talk about those favorite family moments or our oral histories will be lost forever This is the greatest gift we can leave for future generations! 💛
June 11, 2024
Andrea beautifully captures the joys and challenges of being a member of a large family and finding your place and voice amongst your loved ones. In the Groves, celebrates family, intergenerational relationships, history and culture. The seamless integration of the Spanish language within the story, along with the heartwarming illustrations of family and the adventures at the family’s orange groves, makes this a fun story to read.
June 12, 2024
I reviewed an ARC.
I loved the illustrations and how they portrayed a chaotic and loving family reunion. In the Groves is a beautiful story of intergenerational love and labor. As the author points out in the end-note, we like to romanticize agricultural labor, but it is tremendously hard work! Let's not forget how our families helped us get to where we are. And on the flipside, let's not forget to tell our young ones how we got here.
I loved the illustrations and how they portrayed a chaotic and loving family reunion. In the Groves is a beautiful story of intergenerational love and labor. As the author points out in the end-note, we like to romanticize agricultural labor, but it is tremendously hard work! Let's not forget how our families helped us get to where we are. And on the flipside, let's not forget to tell our young ones how we got here.
June 22, 2024
In the Groves is an incredibly special story about family, belonging, and heritage. I loved how the gorgeous illustrations brought to life the magic of Clara's visit to the groves, as well as the beautiful language and fun stories. Everything about it made me smile and want to turn the page to see more of Clara's adventure. I can't wait to read this book to my son, who is learning Spanish at school!
June 25, 2024
Readers young and wise : ) will feel the sincerity in this sweet, beautifully illustrated story. (Always love a fantastic picture book to jump into with my children!) All of us are longing for our stories - and therefore ourselves - to be heard and understood more deeply, for a sense of belonging, and this feels like an encouraging and hopeful piece of art about just that in today's world. I highly recommend you add this to your - and a friends' - library as soon as it's available! I know we will read and re-read this story again and again in the coming years.
August 18, 2024
In The Groves, by Andrea Cruz Floren, is a colorful story of love and Hispanic tradition. My seven-year-old daughter read the book with me and had so much fun finding the Spanish words and making the connection to what these words expressed. The fantastic illustrations are a burst of energy, and you can not help but smile while reading along. Every parent will enjoy reading this book with their children.
August 31, 2024
This is a very sweet book. I love love love the illustrations. You can feel the love and respect Clara has for her abuelo. The story is a reminder that connection to the past is so important - just as important as all that is shiny and new. Older family members must feed the curiosity of young ones who want to know where they truly came from. Clara teaches us to cherish our connection to past generations while we are lucky enough to hear them tell their stories. Encantadora!
June 14, 2024
A lovely little tribute, "In the Groves," is a tale about the power of family, heritage, and tradition, told through the eyes of a child. My kids - especially my 5 year old - loves this story. He loves the hand drawn illustrations as much as I respect them. They are as beautiful as the story itself. This book is a keeper on the shelf and would make a terrific gift.
June 18, 2024
This is a truly wonderful story that shares the goodness of passing down traditions and stories among family, with subtle depictions of California’s historical Agricultural Workers. I especially love the relationship between Clara and her Abuelo and how they form an unbreakable bond at the orange groves. Their relationship reminds me of the one I had with my abuelo when I was little.
June 27, 2024
This book is charmingly beautiful! I have a little girl and I can't wait to read it with her. The illustrations are magical and captivating as you read through the touching tale of a girl and her family visits and curiosities. The connection she feels towards her family is a reminder of what is important to hold on to in life.
July 22, 2024
A lot of kids find things that adults take for granted to be fascinating, and this book is no exception! It's no fun feeling left out, but little Clara finds all the magic she knew she would. I love how this book takes us through the groves, and after reading I find myself craving some citrus from the lush, colorful illustrations. An all-together beautiful story and book!
July 23, 2024
A beautiful story about family and the empowering connection to heritage, you can relate to this story no matter your background. The illustrations are magical and draw you into both the landscape of the orange groves and the lively imagination of a little girl. It's a joyful and comforting read for all ages.
July 31, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. As a youngest child of many siblings, I felt connected to Clara as she simply wanted to be included and find her voice in the midst of her large, loud family. In the Groves is such a beautiful book filled with juicy color, textured traditions, and overflowing love. It makes me crave orange juice, tacos, and family!
September 25, 2024
In the Groves is such a sweet book! Readers will enjoy exploring Clara’s family orange groves and learning of the meaningful bond they bring. Beautiful illustrations bring out a whimsical and endearing side of Clara, as she connects with her Abuelo in the groves. This is a delightful read with a great message, and would be a wonderful addition to any school, library, or home!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews