A Flicker of Hope, Picture Book Introduction
As a picture book enthusiast and a fan of diverse family stories for our library, I was looking forward to “A Flicker of Hope”. It’s written in both English and Spanish (Un aleteo de esperanza) by bilingual author Cynthia Harmony with beautiful illustrations by Devon Holzwarth. The book brings to life a colourful and hopeful tale of love between a father and a daughter. The publisher is Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The story follows Lucía, a young girl in Mexico eagerly awaiting the return of her beloved Papá during the monarch butterflies’ migration south.
Main Themes: Migration and Family Bonds
We meet Lucía as like every year, she’s looking forward to watching the monarch butterflies’ annual migration with her Papá. This time things are different though. This time, it’s not just the butterflies heading north: Papá is also leaving in search of work. His promise to return when the monarchs once again grace the skies, leaves Lucía with a flicker of hope. All summer she diligently watches for signs of the monarch butterflies, signifying her father’s return.
The two intertwined stories of migration offer a tangible analogy to young readers. The book touches the hard reality of migrants’ quest for livelihood through a natural world parallel. It is a simple and universal analogy: nature knows no borders, and neither does a parent’s love.
A mix of cultures
It is a big diverse world we live in. As my toddler is graduating into the pre-schooler phase, I want to make a point of introducing books featuring cultures, faces and family structures different to our own. I also love the fact we see words and little pieces of dialogue in Spanish. This book ticks the box not only because of its characters, but also because of its creators.
Cynthia Harmony was born in Mexico City, with MA studies in Spain and residing in the US. Devon Holzwarth was born in the US, brought up in Panama and currently settled in Germany after having lived in several other places. As an admirer of how wonderfully mixed our world is, I find the creators’ blend of cultures really fascinating. This book is a result of the fusion of so many influences.
The illustrations
While my toddler may not have fully grasped the depth of the story at her age, she was captivated by Devon Holzwarth’s illustrations, a world of vibrant orange hues. She couldn’t stop pointing at the swirling masses of monarch butterflies, all the different food, animals, Papa’s guitar. On a side note, the illustrations are so highly decorative they would have made amazing textile designs. But aside from that they are also narratively powerful.
The butterflies very cinematically take us away and bring us back again. The vignettes showing the passing of the seasons almost feel like a film montage. And although I’m not personally familiar with rural Mexican life I bet a great deal of research went into bringing Lucía’s world to life.
Final thoughts on “A Flicker of Hope”
“A Flicker of Hope”, is a touching story about loving one’s family, building resilience, and trusting nature. This picture book could serve as a valuable tool for educators, parents, and advocates for inclusivity. Aimed at young readers 4-8 years old, it can also be used for teaching children about several different important concepts. Diversity, indigenous cultures, folklore and legends, empathy, how the food gets to the table, and the shared experiences of families around the world. Available as of February 2024 at your public library, local bookstore and online.
Related: Picture Book Review: A Garden Called Home by Jessica J. Lee and Elaine Chen
