Minnesota author Cristina Oxtra’s debut picture book stars a Filipina child and her grandfather whose connection extends beyond spoken words.
Maria and Lolo love drawing together. Lolo can conjure anything at his drawing table including blooming sampaguita (the Philippines’ national flower), fried plantains and Maya birds in the guava tree.
Over the next year, Lolo becomes ill, and Maria notices gradual changes in her grandfather. When he is no longer able to say what he wants, Maria has the idea to bring him his drawing supplies, and Lolo draws what was on his mind.
Illustrations by Filipino artist Jamie Bauza feature black-and-white pencil for Lolo and Maria’s drawings and playful colorful illustrations to conjure the rest of the warm familial world in this story. What Lolo Wants is a cozy story about connection through generations and the various ways we can communicate. It might even serve as a nudge to get out pencil and paper and draw with someone you love.
Megan Maynor of Edina is a children’s book author. This is her final column for Edina Magazine, and we are grateful for her contributions and for her commitment to featuring local authors. Find her books at meganmaynor.com and Amazon.
