Book Review: A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy

Book Review: A Sled for Gabo

Author: Emma Otheguy

Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 5, 2021 by Atheneum Books

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The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the help of a loving community discovers the joys of his first snowy day.

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled.

But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!

A Sled for Gabo is a charming, short story that transports us to a winter filled with adventure, dreams, and challenges. Gabo is a young boy living in a place where snow takes center stage each winter. He dreams of having a sled so he can join the other neighborhood kids in their thrilling rides down the hill. However, his family can’t afford to buy him one, prompting him to explore creative ways to avoid missing out on the fun.

Author Emma Otheguy delivers a narrative full of sensitivity and empathy, showing how Gabo learns to enjoy life and share, even when he doesn’t have the same things as others. This book is a lesson in resilience and the importance of friendship, teaching young readers that material things aren’t always what matters most and that the people close to us can help make any dream feel possible.

Ana Ramírez González’s illustrations perfectly capture the essence of winter and the world Gabo lives in, with warm details that beautifully complement the text.

A Sled for Gabo is an ideal book for family reading, especially during the winter season, and is a wonderful way to discuss values like perseverance, generosity, and the power of imagination. It’s a perfect recommendation for parents and educators who want to instill in children the importance of appreciating what they have and finding joy in the little things in life.

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