Precious [Hardcover]

The heartwarming story of a boy, all the things he holds dear, and the song that inspires him when he needs it most

Sometimes hearing a song gives you all the courage you need for a day. That’s what happens to Pedrito after a hurricane howls through his neighborhood and he has to give up his rescue dog. The moment his big brother starts strumming “Preciosa,” a beautiful song about his beautiful island, Pedrito knows that somehow everything will be okay. . . .

Pura Belpré Honor winner Carlos Aponte’s love for Puerto Rico shines through his vibrant illustrations and touching story, which show the power of music and community to comfort and give strength.“Struggling with the absence of their patriarch, a Puerto Rican family prepares for an impending hurricane. Pedrito’s father has found work on the mainland and plans to bring the family there soon, but they miss him dearly. As they stock up on supplies and board up windows, Pedrito worries. . . . The next morning, with the storm past, he and his older brother, Juan, rescue a small dog from the rubble. Pedrito quickly bonds with the pup. . . . He’s heartbroken when she returns to her actual owner; he feels her absence—and his father’s—keenly. One night, Pedrito’s mother encourages him to sing, something he hasn’t done since his father left. The music lifts his spirits, and soon their neighbors join in, singing ‘Preciosa,’ a love letter to Puerto Rico. As time goes on, the family is reunited, with an unexpected addition. . . . Featuring appealingly stylized, long-limbed characters, the artwork uses varied angles and compositions to chart Pedrito’s believable journey through hardship while conveying the healing power of community and music. An uplifting story of resilience in the face of loss and natural dis