Beba's Island Heart

By Wanda Medina

Beba loves questions. Big ones, small ones, twisty-tall ones-they sparkle through her mind like fireflies at dusk.

But tonight, Beba carries her biggest question yet: How can she be a better friend to Marie, the new girl from Puerto Rico?

With her mam 's help, Beba discovers something wonderful. Puerto Rico lives in her coraz n (koh-rah-SOHN = heart). It lives in:

Ta no stories whispered long agoSpanish songs that hum and rhymeAfrican rhythms-BOOM, BOOM, CLAP delicious foods that make her tummy rumblejoyful celebrations bursting with light

From arroz con gandules to parrandas, from shining estrellas (es-TRAY-yahs = stars) to the bright Puerto Rican flag, Beba learns a sweet truth: friendship grows stronger when we share who we are.

Will Beba find the courage to reach out? Will she discover an amiga (ah-MEE-gah = friend) who feels like family?

Why families and teachers love this book:

A warm bilingual journey-Spanish words woven in with easy pronunciation guides, perfect for new and confident readers alike.Vibrant cultural pride-a heartfelt celebration of Puerto Rican heritage, stories, food, and music.Big themes, tender heart-friendship, family, identity, and belonging, told just right for ages 3 to 7.Made for reading aloud-sound words and rhythms invite little hands to clap and little voices to sing along.

Beba's Island Heart is a joyful bilingual picture book about family, identity, and the magic of finding a friend.

One island. Many stories. All in your heart.

Come dream beneath the stars, mi amor (mee ah-MOR = my love).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H8J3TD27
• ISBN13: 9798185642160
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"