Brick by Brick

Written by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Narrated by Giordan Diaz

Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award!
 
A striking debut celebrating the warm bond between a little boy and his dad as they work hard to achieve their dreams

Papi is a bricklayer, and he works hard every day to help build the city, brick by brick. His son, Luis, works hard too--in school, book by book. Papi climbs scaffolds, makes mortar, and shovels sand. Luis climbs on the playground and molds clay into tiny bricks to make buildings, just like Papi. Together, they dream big about their future as they work to make those dreams come true. And then one Saturday, Papi surprises Luis with something special he's built for their family, brick by brick.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9780593341995

Reviews for Brick by Brick

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Luis, a young Latino boy, tells us that “my papi is strong. He’s a bricklayer. His arms are like stone.” The corresponding illustration by the author shows Papi holding Luis on his shoulders.

Luis goes on to describe how Papi helps build the city, brick by brick. He adds, “Papi’s work is brick by brick. Mine is book by book.”

Luis dreams of a house of their own, but Papi always answers “Someday.” Then one day, Papi tells Luis he has a surprise for him, and takes Luis for a ride in his truck. After a while, they stop, in front of a new house just for them made of Papi’s bricks!

The book ends:

“Tonight I dream in my house. Nuestra case para siempre - our always house. And when spring comes, I help Mama plant our flowers.”

Sheffield uses bright colors with mixed-media collage illustrations.

The text is perfect for the intended audience of ages 3-6, with simple words, interspersed with Spanish equivalents, and occasional sound effects all in caps for kids will enjoy mirroring, like WHIRRRRRRR and WHOOSH.

Evaluation: While there is not much going on in the plot, the warm relationship between father and son is evident, as is the son’s endeavor to model himself on his dad whom he loves and admires.