Juana wants to roller skate—until she tries it. She cannot stay upright. Mami tells her she must try skating five times before she gives up, and then she springs two sopresas: The first surprise is that she has signed Juana up for a summer day camp devoted to roller skating, and the second is that Mami is going to have a baby. Juana is not thrilled with either surprise, but she grudgingly goes to roller skating camp, where she finds that all the other kids have fancier skates but none of them can skate any better than she can. Throughout the summer, she improves her skating skills and makes some new amigos, while Mami is confined to bed for the remainder of her pregnancy due to a “hole in the sack where the baby is growing.” When Juana’s new sister eventually comes, she is born premature and has to stay in the hospital in an incubator. The details about the premature baby are realistically presented, both textually and visually, but the emotional heart of the story always remains true to Juana and her interests and interactions with the rest of the world. The humorous, lively text captures Juana’s high-spirited personality, and the frequent color illustrations in pen and ink illustrate Juana’s distinctive world view. (Ages 4-7)

When she learns that Mami is expecting a baby, Juana finds a way to rise to the occasion (despite a few stumbles at skating camp!) in a third episode filled with humor and warmth.

I agree with my abuelos—I think I will be a VERY good older hermana. Even when I am not the most patient human being on earth. . . .

Juana’s life in Bogotá, Colombia, is just about perfect. Every now and then a big problema comes along—like having to learn English or Juana’s mami getting remarried—but things eventually settle down, and life goes back to feeling pretty perfect again. But then Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn’t know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES? The answer: with the gentle love of Mami and Luis, the guidance of Juana’s abuelos, the sympathy of newfound friends, the ready ear of her furry amigo Lucas, and Juana’s own expansive heart.