By: Araceli Esparza
Both as a friend of many biracial/bicultural Latinas and as an educator, reading Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown and Illustrated by Sara Palacios, was a big treat for me. Finally, I had a modern Latina girl power story that describes a Latina character completely. I really enjoyed knowing all of Mariso: her food, her clothes, her friends, and how her whole life is full of color, culture, and caring adults. |
Marisol McDonald’s name is often heard in my household. When my daughter, who is eight years old wears what she wants to wear—I tell her, “Ahy, just like Marisol McDonald!” We live in Wisconsin, so using a new McDonald variation that represents our culture and the one we live in—is as good as PB and J Burrito (more about those later!)
Marisol wants to wear an outfit that is unique and doesn’t match. I love the translation of clash, chocan; a fitting word that bilingual children will appreciate and is a homonym that works in both languages. I can’t say it enough that this girl is SUPER cute she has red hair and brown skin! Every scene bursts with color, action, and feeling. We haven’t tried the peanut butter and jelly burritos, but I’m sure kids will! Marisol goes through her day doing all kinds of things that don’t match and clash. Like PB and J burritos, like soccer playing pirates, like using print and cursive at the same time! I’m tearing up, because I did the same thing as a child and still do….
After clashing she crashes, and decides to match! Here is where I was like, “Oh, NOoooo!” Of course, Marisol is sad and things aren’t as tasty or fun. Her biggest challenge was Art class, her favorite class. Was matching, and trying to fit in—going to suck the life from her favorite subject-Art? or not? |
I cannot and will not tell you the end, because you will have to find out on your own.
But I will say that the adults don’t rescue her, she finds herself by rescuing something else that only needed her acceptance to feel loved.
But I will say that the adults don’t rescue her, she finds herself by rescuing something else that only needed her acceptance to feel loved.
Which, is why I love this story it shows kids that you only need to accept you to find love and love will find you. Maybe not when you want it, but it will find you. The translations and word choices are complex and rich, the illustrations ROCK (warning you will want to wear the outfits!) and Marisol is powerhouse character: persistent, única y especial! The diversity of characters, family, history, and culture makes this book a personal favorite!
Niña y Mas, Marisol McDonald me encantas!
Girl and more, Marisol McDonald I love you!
Niña y Mas, Marisol McDonald me encantas!
Girl and more, Marisol McDonald I love you!
All images used from Amazon.com under the Creative Commons