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Awards/Reviews/Readers Comments
The Schneider Family Book Award
New York Reading Association - Suggested Reading List
Culturally Speaking: Multicultural Pairs Outstanding Authors + Talented Illustrators = Exceptional Picture Books
Barnes & Noble Book of the Month
Univision Despierta America Feature Book
“… Victor has a disability which would cause most people to end the book with a
comment that they like Victor just the way he is, but the author turns this
philosophy on its head when Dominic says that the most important thing about
Victor is that he accepts Dominic just the way he is. What a wonderful
conclusion and a great way to teach perspective. My Pal Victor is a
recommended read.”
Readers Preference Reviews
“…Parents and teachers will want to introduce this bilingual picture book [My Pal,
Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor] to their children to teach them about social awareness
through a story about friendship. It reminds the reader that it is what’s inside
that matters… The vivid illustrations capture the children’s innocence…”
Hispanic Link Weekly Report
“My Pal, Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor flows agreeably in both languages… Sweetland
is a master of shading and using light to create depth in his illustrations. His
images of childhood are recognizable to people of all ages…a flashlight shines on
Victor's face as he tells the ghost stories, with a full yellow moon reflecting
behind an old owl in the big tree outside the window…My Pal, Victor is a family-
oriented book perfect for children aged five to eight. It is a simple story, told in
simple words, weaving a tale of the value of a good friendship, in any language,
in any culture, and with any physical ability.”
ForeWord Magazine
“Two Latino boys experience many wonderful times together in this
English/Spanish story. It is obvious they have forged a lasting friendship that
over powers the physical limitations of one boy confined to a wheel chair. This
story is an excellent example of not making snap judgments about people and
realizing that everyone has something special to offer. Highly recommended.”
Barbara A. Mulley, Ft. Worth, TX, Library Media Specialist
“…Each page, beautifully illustrated by Bob Sweetland, describes their
adventures, as Dominic tells why he likes his pal Victor. Completely bilingual, the
text appears in English first, followed by the Spanish version, with a handy
vocabulary page at the end. At the conclusion of the book, the reader discovers
that Victor is in a wheelchair. It’s such a gentle treatment of the disability, that
it’s quite incidental to the story that will appeal to kids ages four to eight… It’s
an admirable book that deserves a place in any child’s library.”
Barbara Higdon, San Antonio Woman Magazine
“…simple, moving, and captivating. The author spins another great family story!
This time she deals with friendship and the value of inward spirit and
communicates treasuring people for who they are inside rather than by exterior
appearances. The illustrations bring this simple story to life and depict the power
and value of friendship that surpasses any disability. This is a highly
recommended selection.”
Georgia Witt, District Librarian, Orange Grove, TX
“…Dominic’s friend, Victor, may not walk, but he’s far from disabled. He is not only
a source of support, but a limit-pushing, life-expanding influence…”
School Library Journal
“The virtue of acceptance is portrayed between the friendship two best friends share
unconditionally.”
Hispanic Magazine
“Tender and quite wonderful! In lively and easy-to-understand text and written in both
English and Spanish, social awareness is promoted through this entertaining story of one
boy and his pal Victor. Colorful illustrations also introduce children to a variety of
creatures and places. … [My Pal, Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor] stand[s] head and shoulders
above the crowd. Truly an enchanting story…. Perfect for beginning readers of English or
Spanish. Teachers will love this book as an instrumental teaching tool.”
Betsie's Literary Page
“This picture book [My Pal, Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor] celebrates close friends and all the
things these two boys do together while accepting each other’s differences totally. The story
is told in both English and Spanish on each page, making for an excellent language practice
book. We rated it a high three hearts.”
Heartland Review
“…A friendly story about two best friends. This book encourages kids to always like a person for
what’s on the inside rather than just the outside.”
Book Review Café
“My Pal, Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor by Diane Gonzales Bertrand is an uplifting and
inspiring story of two Latino boys named Victor and Dominic…Published as an
Accelerated Reader® book, reading level 2.4, this well-written picture book is
perfect for ages 5-10. Second and third trade teachers could easily incorporate
it in their planned reading groups as it includes challenging words for that age group,
but also because it is sure to provoke first-rate questions. Hand-sketched illustrations by
Robert Sweetland add charm and character to the two boys.”
Jennifer LB Leese
“This story [My Pal, Victor / Mi amigo, Víctor] is fully bilingual, told in English and in Spanish,
and is accompanied by full-page color illustrations. It tells of two boys and their daily activities
together as they express what they like and appreciate about each other in spite of one boy being
disabled. A vocabulary page of Spanish and English terms is found on the last page.”
J’Ann Peacock Alvarado, librarian, Irving Public Library, Irving, TX
“…a heartwarming twist on the typical “disability” story.”
Green Bay Press-Gazette
“…This book can fill a spot to start discussions about several discussions about several topics - from how to be a friend to how much people with disabilities can do. The illustrations are large and colorful, easily shared with a group or class of students. There are several other books that serve this purpose but not with Latino children as the main characters...”
Darlene Linahan, Agnes Stewart Middle School, Springfield SD
“…celebrates the true meaning of friendship, making it clear that children of different abilities or disabilities share a lot in common...A must read for elementary children, as it introduces friendship as it should be...opens great opportunities to talk about friendship, (the pitfalls of) judging others, and disabilities. ”
The Reading Tub
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