“ ‘After Papa died, Mama stopped dancing,’ opens this affecting tale narrated by a Cuban child who misses the evenings of the past
Now men line up in the courtyard in hopes of becoming Mama’s dance partner, but “her heart is not in it. Her skirts stay in the closet, her feet, bare.” Mama’s favorite suitor is Eduardo, a kind fellow who displays his cooking talents in the kitchen but demonstrates little skill on the dance floor
Rodriguez lights up the spreads and spot art, moving easily from cozy indoor scenes to the vibrant Havana streets and festival mood of carnival.” — Publishers Weekly