“Las margaritas están cerca del manzano. / The daisies are close to the apple tree. ” A bilingual board book explores the concept of “close” as each page spread shows a small, Latinx girl describing the close proximity of things in and near her home. The narrative begins with in her bedroom (which is close to the kitchen) and ends with her at her neighbor’s house. “Mi amigo está cerca de mí. / My friend is close to me. ” A muted palette with punctuations of warm colors add to the quiet appeal of this slim little volume. (Ages 2–5)

Some things are close — cerca. Others are far — lejos. With sweet simplicity, this charming dual-language board book and its companion volume, Lejos/Far, engage young children.

Mi cuarto está cerca de la cocina. My bedroom is close to the kitchen.

As she walks from her kitchen through a daisy-filled yard to the house next door, a little girl notices things that are close to each other — just as the little boy she goes to visit is close to her.