Pablo Finds a Treasure

Gr 1–3—The author delves into a reality that is rarely portrayed in picture books—poverty in developing countries. This descriptive and candid narrative follows two young children whose lives involve sifting through garbage heaps for things to use, eat, and sell. As Pablo and Sofia unearth, and delight in, their "treasures," they categorize them into things that are useful and useless. Items and abilities that don't help them survive aren't needed. This is made abundantly clear when the bully Filthy-Face takes their haul. While the book's stark, almost colorless illustrations, rendered in heavy black pencil, lend weight to the seriousness of this subject, some hope still shines through. Thanks to quick thinking on Pablo's part, the children's biggest treasure, a gold chain, is saved. This small act reassures readers that there is some justice even in this world. This is an eye-opening story for many kids; these siblings go to work every day, get hurt, eat half-rotten food, and wish for simple things that most take for granted. Regardless of background, all readers can empathize with this pair, for even in this situation, they have their moments of playfulness and share a strong familial bond.