From Kirkus: "Touching and timely."

Luis, a young Latino boy, tells us that “my papi is strong. He’s a bricklayer. His arms are like stone.” The corresponding illustration by the author shows Papi holding Luis on his shoulders.

Luis goes on to describe how Papi helps build the city, brick by brick. He adds, “Papi’s work is brick by brick. Mine is book by book.”

Luis dreams of a house of their own, but Papi always answers “Someday.” Then one day, Papi tells Luis he has a surprise for him, and takes Luis for a ride in his truck. After a while, they stop, in front of a new house just for them made of Papi’s bricks!

The book ends:

“Tonight I dream in my house. Nuestra case para siempre - our always house. And when spring comes, I help Mama plant our flowers.”

Sheffield uses bright colors with mixed-media collage illustrations.

The text is perfect for the intended audience of ages 3-6, with simple words, interspersed with Spanish equivalents, and occasional sound effects all in caps for kids will enjoy mirroring, like WHIRRRRRRR and WHOOSH.

Evaluation: While there is not much going on in the plot, the warm relationship between father and son is evident, as is the son’s endeavor to model himself on his dad whom he loves and admires. ( )

Papi works hard every day brick by brick building things in the city. His son Luis is also a hard worker at school. He builds by reading and doing school work day by day. This is a heartwarming story of a son looking up to his father and wanting to be just like him when he grows up. I would recommend this for any collection. It would make a great read a loud and discussed with children and ask them questions. ( )

This book is about a bond between a son and father working hard to achieve their dreams. The father, Papi is a bricklayer and he works very hard for his son. In the book they dicuss working hard to achieve sucess. This is a great book to teach children how to persevere and dream big. ( )