Abuela
Rosalba uses her imagination to fly over Manhattan with her grandmother. The story blends English and Spanish naturally, using beautiful collage illustrations to bring their magical journey to life.
Abuela by Arthur Dorros is estimated to take about 7.5 minutes to read aloud (660 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
Check the book on AmazonAffiliate link
- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 7.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 660Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a visually stunning book that rewards slow reading. The artwork is rich and textural, perfectly complementing the magical feeling of soaring over the city.
Because the Spanish is woven directly into the English sentences, it feels very natural and doesn't require a glossary. It is a beautiful way to show how language and imagination can connect us to our elders.
Themes
- grandmothers
- flying
- Spanish
- New York
- imagination
Books like Abuela
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Last Stop on Market Streetabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Harold and the Purple Crayonabout 7.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
My Papi Has a Motorcycleabout 9.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Julián Is a Mermaidabout 3 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Where the Wild Things Areabout 5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Abuela aloud?
About 7.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 660. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Abuela actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Abuela survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Abuela a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Abuela?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Abuela on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Abuela cover?
We tag it with grandmothers, flying, Spanish, New York and imagination. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
