My Papi Has a Motorcycle

A young girl named Daisy Ramona rides through her city of Corona, California on the back of her father's motorcycle. Their evening rides together are a cherished ritual after he returns home from his construction job. As they cruise through the neighborhood streets, Daisy observes the changing landscape of her community - from family-owned businesses to new developments. She sees familiar faces and places that hold meaning in her Mexican-American family's history. The girl's motorcycle journey with her father reveals their deep bond while capturing a snapshot of a city in transition. The story celebrates family traditions, immigrant experiences, and the power of a child's perspective in documenting community change.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of father-daughter bonding and Latino community life. Many parents note their children request repeated readings and see their own families reflected in the story. Readers highlighted: - The detailed urban illustrations capturing Southern California - Spanish language integration that feels natural - Representation of working-class immigrant families - The motorcycle ride's sense of movement and energy Common criticisms: - Some found the story too simple without much plot - A few mentioned the text was challenging for early readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (580+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Finally a book that shows brown kids just being kids" -Goodreads reviewer "The illustrations make you feel like you're zooming through the neighborhood" -Amazon reviewer "Brought tears to my eyes seeing my childhood reflected" -School Library Journal comment

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🏍️ Author Isabel Quintero drew inspiration from her own childhood experiences riding on her father's motorcycle through Corona, California, the city where she grew up. 🏗️ The illustrator, Zeke Peña, spent time in Corona taking photographs of the city's architecture and streets to ensure authentic visual details in the book's artwork. 🎨 The book received the Pura Belpré Honor for illustration in 2020, an award that celebrates Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work portrays the Latino cultural experience. 🌮 The story features real locations in Corona, including Panadería Estrella, an actual Mexican bakery that has been serving the community for generations. 👥 The book explores themes of gentrification and community change through a child's perspective, showing how neighborhoods evolve while preserving cultural memories and connections.