All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ages 4-8
Find in Amazon Children’s Books
All the Way to Havana is about a child and his family traveling from the Cuban countryside to the city of Havana to meet his newborn baby cousin.
The family drives a very old car and they have to fix it before they can get on the road. It’s just a lovely story that keeps you engaged with lots of love, family, community, innovation, and adventure. I really like the history that Margarita Engle is so deft at showing in her books. Many people in Cuba have had to make due with old cars from the 50’s and 60’s because of the U.S. embargo that continues to this day. Therefore, the country is like a strange living museum of classic cars. I wish there had been a page at the end describing this history in more detail, but it’s easy enough to look it up. It really makes me want to re-read it with my kids when they are older and dive in even further. It’s great for all ages, though. My 3 year old really liked the noises the car made: cara cara, taka taka, zoom zoom zoom!
How to use this children’s book
Use this book to introduce you kiddos to Cuban culture. Great way to dive into history.
Summary from Amazon Children’s Books
ALSC Notable Book
So we purr, cara cara, and we glide, taka taka, and we zoom, zoom, ZOOM!
Together, a boy and his parents drive to the city of Havana, Cuba, in their old family car. Along the way, they experience the sights and sounds of the streets―neighbors talking, musicians performing, and beautiful, colorful cars putt-putting and bumpety-bumping along. In the end, though, it’s their old car, Cara Cara, that the boy loves best. A joyful celebration of the Cuban people and their resourceful innovation.
