My Big Family

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year 2021

Alex is excited that his family is coming to visit. First, Grandma arrives and Alex rearranges his room so she can fit. Then Aunt Celia arrives, and the cousins start to pile in. Yummy Cuban food fills the house with delicious aromas, and everyone is happy - except Alex. He can't even find space to sit down and Papa believes more can always fit.

When Mama announces Cousin Beto is arriving too, Alex has had it! "No one else can fit in this house!"? What can Alex do?

My Big Family is a heartwarming, beautifully illustrated tale about a family that is happy to make room in their home for relatives, no matter how many arrive. The book focuses on:

• Family Connections: Watch the charming and amusing interactions between Alex, his parents, and their extended family and the strong bond they share.
• Generosity: See Alex and his parents open their home to a growing number of relatives who arrive from Cuba, with Alex happily sharing his bedroom with his grandmother.
• Culture: Learn about what life is like in Cuba, including the types of foods and sports that are popular there.
• Change: Explore how a child copes with big, sudden changes in his home and his regular routine, some of which cause major inconveniences.

Yanitzia Canetti has published books in many genres, including novels, poetry, plays, and children's literature. Yanitzia has received many awards for her work, including the National Literature Award (Cuba) and the White Rose Literature Award (Cuba). She current lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Micha Archer is an author, artist, and illustrator. She creates multilayered pieces with Origami, tissue papers, and patterned papers made with homemade stamps. Micha grew up in a BIG family with 3 brothers and a sister. They traveled as a family around the world twice. Now her BIG family includes family and friends she has collected from all over the world.