Carmela Full of Wishes
What’s inside...
When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true--she's finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panaderia, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make.
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Carmela
Carmela's Brother
Discussion points
What do you think Carmela was wishing for, and why?
How do you feel when Carmela finds her wish dandelion? Have you ever found something special?
What does the story tell us about hope and dreams, even in tough situations?
How do Carmela and her brother support each other throughout their day?
What can we learn from the way Carmela's neighborhood is described?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in Carmela's situation and why.
Discuss the importance of family and community support shown in the story.
Highlight the message of perseverance and hope in the story, and relate it to personal experiences.
Focus on the sensory descriptions in the book, like sounds and colors, to help your child imagine the setting more vividly.
Connect the book’s themes to real-world situations by discussing how wishes and dreams can drive us forward.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Carmela watches her brother struggling with responsibilities, which helps her to understand and empathize with his feelings and challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions and situations that their siblings or peers are experiencing, fostering a supportive and empathetic environment.
Example Lesson: The Power of Hope and Wishes
Explanation: Carmela's journey with her wish list represents the importance of having dreams and the belief in the possibilities of the future.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to dream big and maintain hope, teaching them that while not every wish will come true, the act of hoping is important for self-motivation and positivity.
Example Lesson: Understanding Immigrant Family Dynamics
Explanation: The book portrays elements of life as an immigrant, including working hard and supporting family members, which can provide a window into this experience for readers.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand diverse family structures and the reasons why people emigrate, promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Caretaking
Explanation: Carmela's brother takes on significant responsibilities at a young age, showcasing themes of duty and caregiving within the family.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about the value of responsibility and the importance of helping family members, fostering a sense of duty and teamwork in their personal development.