Carmela Full of Wishes

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Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, the unparalleled duo behind Last Stop on Market Street, are back with a treasure of a tale. Carmela Full of Wishes is a lovely ode to immigrants and their unwavering hope and bravery in the face of adversity. De la Peña's observant and lyrical storytelling follows Carmela, a young Dreamer, through her vibrant immigrant neighborhood — brought to life through Robinson's careful hands. Warm collage scenes of Carmela scooting through the bustling community alternate with papel picado illustrations that evoke her simple wishes. You're left hoping that all of Carmela's wishes come true. Recommended By Kate L., Powells.com

In their first collaboration since the Newbery Medal- and Caldecott Honor-winning Last Stop on Market Street, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson deliver a poignant and timely new picture book that’s sure to be an instant classic.

When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true–she’s finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panadería, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make...

With lyrical, stirring text and stunning, evocative artwork, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson have crafted a moving ode to family, to dreamers, and to finding hope in the most unexpected places.

“Full of rich details, sharp and restrained writing, and acrylic paintings that look textured enough to rise off the page...Another near-perfect slice of life from a duo that has found a way to spotlight underrepresented children without forgetting that they are children first.” Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Carmela’s journey of wishing, waiting, and wanting resonates on many levels; an important addition to bookshelves everywhere.” School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“The award-winning team behind Last Stop on Market Street portrays Carmela’s Spanish-speaking community as a vibrant place of possibility, and Robinson’s acrylic-and-cutout spreads introduce readers to street vendors, workers in the fields, and sweeping views of the sea. Sensitively conceived and exuberantly executed, Carmela’s story shines.” Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Matt de la Peña is the author of Last Stop on Market Street, which won the Newbery Medal and was chosen for the Caldecott Honor. He is also the author the award-winning picture book A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis and six critically acclaimed young adult novels. Matt teaches creative writing and visits schools and colleges throughout the country. Matt lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Christian Robinson is a 2016 Caldecott Honoree and also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for his art in Last Stop on Market Street. His picture books include the Gaston and Friends series; Leo: A Ghost Story; School’s First Day of School; The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade; Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker; and many more.