Not Far From Here
Written by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez
Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
A debut author and an award-winning illustrator unite to craft an entirely bilingual ode to the amor, courage, and memories we carry from one generation to the next, from one country to another.
We worked and worked
juntos
para realizar el sueño
Nuestra familia . . .
nos superamos
as individuals
and
together
Mamá tells her children a story that began when their papá was a niño, not far from here. Their abuelitas told stories of their antepasados, and their abuelo, a blacksmith, taught their papá how to make art from earth and fire. When abuelo died, papá took all those lessons to heart and crossed la frontera to el norte to follow his sueños. There, he worked and overcame barriers, known to many immigrants alike, to forge his own obra maestra: a familia and a future in which anything is possible. Debut author Nydia Armendia-Sánchez relays a story of immigration, creativity, and comunidad through a translanguage text that moves naturally from English to español and back in a manner that will be familiar to many second and third generations of Latine families—and evocative to immigrant families of any heritage. Brilliantly brought to life by Devon Holzwarth’s rich, imaginative illustrations, this warm abrazo of a book features a glossary of Spanish words.
NCST-CBC 2025 Notable Social Studies Book Winner
Tales told between generations help build understanding. . . . In this sweet family history, the children discover that the roots of their future are deeply intertwined with the stories of those who came before them. Melodic text incorporates Spanish phrases throughout. . . . Mixed-media illustrations meld past and present with bright colors, swirling lines, and playful artistic elements. A touching reminder that the stories of our ancestors light the way for generations to come.
—Kirkus Reviews
A powerful and poetic combination of English and Español that celebrates familia and the immigrant experience.
—Duncan Tonatiuh, author-illustrator of Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, a Pura Belpré Medal Winner
Not Far from Here is a gentle ode to family, identity, and the people and places that shape us. Armendia-Sánchez’s lyrical bilingual text and Holzwarth’s softly glowing illustrations bubble with warmth, like a pot simmering in abuela’s cozy cocina. The book reminds us that when we hold our memories and loved ones close, our comunidad isn’t lost—but only replanted.
—Anika Aldamuy Denise, author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, a Pura Belpré Honor Book
A beautiful intergenerational story of hope, courage, and love in the search for a vida mejor for those who will come after. Both the words and the stunning art in this book will open the heart of every reader.
—Ruth Behar, author of Tía Fortuna's New Home
Nydia and Devon have weaved together a work of art, each line and each stroke infused in the richness that only third-culture children everywhere have. It makes you both long for home and crave the future, drawing a beautiful balance difficult to achieve, in much-needed paper form.
—Erika Meza, author-illustrator of To the Other Side
