No More Señora Mimí

Starred review from June 10, 2024
It’s a special day: Ana’s abuela is moving in with Ana and Mami, and will take care of Ana while Mami works. Until now, neighbor señora Mimí—along with her baby, Nelson, and dog, Pancho—has been taking Ana to school every morning and picking her up each afternoon. “Now anda, little one,” señora Mimí prompts, “Vamos.... We’re almost out of time.” Not until a classmate’s chance remark—“No more señora Mimí to tell you what to do every day!”—does Ana realize that in gaining Abuela, she will lose the babysitter’s daily presence. In conversational prose (“I hadn’t really thought about that”), Medina (Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away), observes Ana as she begins to grasp the complexity of the transition: “I won’t be able to tell señora Mimí the best parts of my day or the things I’d do over.” Via digitally created spreads, Cicchese (The Kitten Story) peers into the faces of Ana and señora Mimí as they acknowledge the change. In this compassionate work, a relationship whose nuances Ana hadn’t truly considered holds the key to her consolation as the two make new plans together. Protagonists cue as Latinx; background characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 5–7. Agent (for author
and illustrator): Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary.

August 15, 2024
A child prepares to say goodbye to a beloved babysitter. In the morning, Ana and Mami walk upstairs to apartment 4C, where se�ora Mim� awaits. As Mami heads off to work, Ana begins the day with se�ora Mim�, a "two-tooth baby" named Nelson, and Pancho, a "no-tooth dog." Se�ora Mim� hurries Ana to school, but Ana's nearly exploding with excitement. After all, Abuela plans to move in with Mami and Ana later that night. Now Abuela can babysit Ana while Mami works! After patient se�ora Mim� drops off Ana at school, Ana eagerly tells the entire class about Abuela's imminent arrival. During class, Ana suddenly realizes that these treasured days with ever-present, dependable se�ora Mim� might end. How will se�ora Mim� be there for Ana now? A compassionate consideration of caregivers, Medina's careful, playful text blends spare dialogue with telling details that, piece by piece, build up Ana's tender friendship with se�ora Mim�. Hints of other everyday adventures shared between child and caretaker believably tease out the central conflict, which comes to a suitably upbeat conclusion. Cicchese's artwork boasts a rich palette of warm shades of yellows, oranges, and browns. The main characters are Latine; Ana's community is diverse, and one classmate uses a wheelchair. An affectionate shoutout to sitters.(Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2024
Ana spends mornings and afternoons with senora Mimi, 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 senora Mimi? I hadn't really thought about that." On her last afternoon at senora Mimi's, Ana starts to feel down about a new routine without her beloved babysitter. Senora Mimi 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 mas senora Mimi. Monica de los Reyes

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Abuela is coming to live with Ana and her mami. Ana is excited to welcome her grandmother, who will look after her while Ana's mother is at work. This story is highly successful in maintaining the child's point of view--all the events are filtered through how they impact Ana. She is not selfish, but for a child this age, not much exists beyond their direct experience; therefore, she has not realized that Abuela's arrival means no more Se�ora Mim�. What will she do without her loving babysitter; Mim�'s baby, Nelson; and their dog, Pancho? Caregivers play central roles in the lives of many young children, yet that relationship is not often explored in picture books. Ana is bereft until Mim� reminds her they will still be neighbors. Cicchese's illustrations set the story in the present day. Warmth is displayed on every page through the matching sweaters that Mim� has knitted for Ana and herself, the waving Mim� depicted as a pink shadow when Ana goes to school, and sweet, toothless Pancho under a table, comforting Ana. Ana demonstrates growth as she comes to accept that circumstances can change and acknowledges she is lucky indeed to have Mami, Mim�, and eventually Abuela surrounding her with love and security. Simultaneously released in a Spanish edition.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from October 4, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A touching tribute of the often unrecognized impact of caregivers. Ana is excited because her grandmother is coming to live with her family. She tells her babysitter Se�ora Mim� all about it as she makes her way to school holding her caregiver's hand. As she shares her news with her classmates, it's only then that Ana realizes that when her grandmother takes over the morning and afternoon routines while her mother works, Sra. Mim� will no longer be the one who takes her to school and picks her up. The little girl sadly thinks about the things she'll miss. Sra. Mim� is also sad, but she reminds Ana that they'll get to see each other as neighbors, and that she'll always be a part of her life. Medina's pitch-perfect text captures the frenetic energy of the girl's anticipation along with her crestfallen reaction to the disappointing news. Cicchese's art hints at an urban setting, with a big mailbox and elevator in the lobby and the busy street of their walks to and from school. The sweet narrative and the warm, brown-tinted illustrations celebrate the community that often comes together to raise children and keep them safe. It really takes a village, and caregivers play an important part. Spanish phrases are sprinkled throughout the English edition, and the characters have light brown skin. Ana's class is diverse in skin tone and ability. VERDICT For the Sra. Mim�s who help the world go around, this picture book belongs on every picture book shelf.-Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
Ana spends mornings and afternoons with se�ora Mimi, 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 se�ora Mimi? I hadn't really thought about that." On her last afternoon at se�ora Mimi's, Ana starts to feel down about a new routine without her beloved babysitter. Se�ora Mimi 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 mas se�ora Mimi.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)