Cousins

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Cousins is a story of contrasts and confusion. The young narrator lives
with her Latin American father and North American maternal grandmother
in a big house filled with fine furniture, books, and art. Several times
a week she visits her other grandmother, whose modest house is busy,
lively, and filled with people. Abuela Adela’s is a traditional
Catholic household containing a number of religious
artifacts—pictures, a statue of the Baby Jesus, and a beautiful
rosary. It is from Abuela Adela that the child learns of sin,
confessions, and first communions. Grandmother Mimi isn’t Catholic and
doesn’t believe in first communions.

Cousin Marianna, who lives with Abuela Adela, is about to receive her
first communion. For the occasion she will wear a long, white dress and
veil, and carry a white candle tied with ribbon and a beautiful rosary.
Feeling left out and jealous of Marianna, the young narrator impulsively
steals the rosary. Now she feels not just envious, but guilty, too, and
runs away.

When she eventually is returned home by the priest, she “confesses”
and learns of another Christian value, not just from the priest and
Abuela Adela, but also from her father and Grandmother
Mimi—forgiveness.

Luis Garay’s vibrantly coloured illustrations accurately reflect
Latin American (and briefly Pueblo) culture, although they depict an
earlier era when girls wore dresses with puffed sleeves and ruffled
socks. Items such as televisions and computers are noticeably absent.
The figures appear rather stiff and formal, matching the tone of the
story. Even the design of the book is traditional—a full-page
illustration facing each page of text.

Cousins, with its religious overtones, may not appeal to young
children. However, it does present a glimpse of Latin American culture
and traditions and as such would be useful in multicultural collections.
Recommended.