Antonia

Colombian author-illustrator Dipacho tells the story of a small girl crossing a river with her family — migrants starting over — and the dog she brings with her named Antonia. When the dog vanishes on the far shore, the loss is real and the grief is handled without sugar-coating. What redeems the story is a quiet act of solidarity from a new friend. Nearly wordless, the book works across language barriers in a way few picture books can, and Dipacho's vibrant, expressive illustrations carry nearly all the emotional weight. Kirkus gave it a starred review. The one genuine caveat is structural: without adult facilitation, the emotional arc may not fully land for the youngest readers, since there is so little text to anchor it. But for classrooms and faith communities exploring compassion and welcome of strangers, this is a natural fit.