Tapicero Tap Tap

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

Tapicero Tap Tap, named for the sound his hammer makes as he crafts
furniture, entertains his grandchildren with stories of his youth.

Growing up in a “sleepy Spanish town by the sea,” he longed to
visit exotic locales, but with the advent of the war, he put his dreams
on hold to support his family. Through the years Tapicero comes to
“relish the tastes of home.” Not only has his carpentry work brought
him great joy, but he has also fulfilled his dream of meeting “people
from far away.”

Warabé Aska’s warmly evocative oil paintings are rich with details
of everyday life in the small coastal town, providing a glimpse into
local customs and traditions such as winemaking and fiesta time.

Tapicero’s final statement seems to contradict his earlier
statements of contentment: “next week, I am going to sail across the
ocean to see what I can see and, when I have seen it, I shall return.”
Despite the abrupt ending, this book is a quiet reflection on a life
well lived. Recommended.