My Papi Has a Motorcycle
Written by Isabel Quintero Illustrated by Zeke Peria
Written by Isabel Quintero Illustrated by Zeke Peria
This book is about Daisy, a Mexican girl who goes on a motorcycle ride with her father through her community. As they speed around the town, she sees the vibrant colors of the houses around her, the families playing and talking outside. She embraces her community which is filled with a strong sense of family, love, and tradition. This story captures the essence of Latinx culture and embraces the importances of community. Introducing this story to children allows them to appreciate their own cultures and others, to look for the light in their own families and communities.
As a group, we selected My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña because of its heartfelt portrayal of Latinx culture, family bonds, and community pride. The story follows a young girl and her father as they ride through their neighborhood, capturing the beauty of everyday moments and the deep connections shared within their community.
For multilingual learners, this book provides both a mirror and a window (Bishop, 2015), it reflects the lived experiences of some students while offering others the chance to appreciate a culture different from their own. Themes of identity, family, and change are universally relatable, allowing all children to find meaning in the story.
We believe My Papi Has a Motorcycle supports our classroom goals of fostering inclusivity, cultural pride, and understanding. By highlighting the richness of Latinx traditions and values, the book encourages students to celebrate what makes them unique and recognize the importance of honoring others' backgrounds and experiences.