By Patty Cisneros Prevo, Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Copyright March 2026
Joy for Books Review Score: 98%
From two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo and award-winning illustrator Mirelle Ortega comes a slam-dunk picture book about a wheelchair basketball player and her search for belonging--perfect for fans of Just Ask!
It's Apolonia's birthday, and she can't wait to celebrate with her teammates and her cousins. Mama's rented extra wheelchairs so her primas can join her for a game of wheelchair basketball, and Papa's making arracheras and tres leches cake for all of her guests. But as the party approaches, Apolonia starts to worry that her two worlds are on a collision course. Her teammates want pizza and ice cream, and her cousins think wheelchair basketball sounds weird. Apolonia wonders if this birthday party is a mistake, but with a little help from Mama, she realizes that her community wants to celebrate her--every part of her.
In this beautiful story with Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo and award-winning illustrator Mirelle Ortega explore the fears many kids have about fitting in and recognize the joy of being celebrated for exactly who they are.
By Patty Cisneros Prevo, Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Copyright March 2026
Joy for Books Review Score: 98%
From two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo and award-winning illustrator Mirelle Ortega comes a slam-dunk picture book about a wheelchair basketball player and her search for belonging--perfect for fans of Just Ask!
It's Apolonia's birthday, and she can't wait to celebrate with her teammates and her cousins. Mama's rented extra wheelchairs so her primas can join her for a game of wheelchair basketball, and Papa's making arracheras and tres leches cake for all of her guests. But as the party approaches, Apolonia starts to worry that her two worlds are on a collision course. Her teammates want pizza and ice cream, and her cousins think wheelchair basketball sounds weird. Apolonia wonders if this birthday party is a mistake, but with a little help from Mama, she realizes that her community wants to celebrate her--every part of her.
In this beautiful story with Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo and award-winning illustrator Mirelle Ortega explore the fears many kids have about fitting in and recognize the joy of being celebrated for exactly who they are.