This bilingual (Spanish/English) book adds to the small number of picture book titles about young girls with crushes on other girls, and also gives us a look at Chicanx, Mexican, and Honduran cultures. Chabelita, a Chicanx girl, hopes that Jimena, the new girl in her class, will sit with her because “Her eyes sparkle like stars.” They bond over speaking both English and Spanish, and Jimena explains that she also speaks Garifuna, because her Mami was born in Honduras. In fact, her Mami is there now, deported for not having papers, and Jimena lives with her aunt. Chabelita notes that her Papá crossed the border, too.
On picture day at school, Chabelita wears a new bow tie, “decorated with pink conchas.” Jimena asks if she can wear it for her own picture, too. A classmate sees Chabelita putting it on Jimena and teases “Chabelita likes Jimena.” Chabelita is embarrassed, but Jimena takes her hand and says she likes her, too. Chabelita adds, “Yes, girls can like girls!”
The two of them next work on a school art project together, drawing people they admire. Chabelita chooses Mexican author Nancy Cárdenas, “because we both like reading, writing, and girls.” Jimena chooses Honduran Berta Cáceres, who “helped protect rivers and trees.” Jimena’s Tía (Aunt) Aurora (who has a rather queer haircut, in the best sense) helps them, and they proudly hang their drawings side by side in the classroom.
Chabelita and her mom and dad then show up for Jimena’s birthday party, bearing homemade chiles rellenos. Jimena’s mother has sent Jimena a present: a bow tie covered in stars, not only to go with Chabelita’s bow tie, but also so that Jimena can remember that her mother loves her “more than all the stars combined.” Chabelita helps Jimena put it on, and the two of them feel the love that surrounds them.
Centering families of color, with a queer protagonist of color who leans masculine of center, this story offers vital and often overlooked representation in a setting of familial support. Back matter offers more details about Nancy Cárdenas and Berta Cáceres, a note from Reflection Press founder and this book’s mentor, Maya Gonzalez, and a “Create Your Own Bow Tie!” template.
