Walking With Papi

Walking With Papi is a warm and lively picture book about a young girl and her family in Moca, Dominican Republic as they get ready for Viernes Santo, a special family tradition filled with community, prayer, and celebration.

Every year she rides high on Papi's shoulders and sees the world like an angel. This year, Papi is in Nueva York working to support the family, and the day feels different without him.

As Mami, Corazón, Andrea, and the narrator move through town to shop, choose ribbons for their wings, and visit Tía Belky's salon, the home fills with joy, memories, and tender moments of missing Papi. Each ribbon and each flutter of their wings remind her that love can reach someone no matter how far away they are.

A sweet surprise arrives on the morning of Viernes Santo, showing that even when someone we love is far away, family stays close through cariño, tradition, and simple acts of care.

With glowing illustrations and gentle details, Walking With Papi celebrates Dominican culture, childhood memories, and the experiences of many children who have parents working in another place. It honors the strength of families and the comfort that comes from love, pride, and community.

Perfect for classrooms, story times, family reading, and conversations about love, separation, and staying connected.