The Secret of the Plátano

A young boy and Abuela dance in the moonlight. She guides him with her gentle words: “Sway here, shake there, and rustle to the bustle of the platanos in the breeze.” She leads him with grace, enticed by the moment, transfixed in time. The sweet sounds of nature surround them, the chitters and chatters of nearby creatures. Abuela asks her grandson if he hears the beating of the drums inside him and the lingo of the platano leaves sharing their secrets in the wind. He struggles to hear them but knows she speaks of the love that flows through them.

The Secret of the Platano is an enchanting ode to nature. It’s a story of love and purity, of kinship and wisdom. It’s set in the Dominican Republic, which adds a unique cultural dimension to it. Children who long for the serenity of the outdoors and are drawn to the cadence of music and rhythm of dancing will hold this close to their hearts. Those who hold sacred their relationships with their abuelas, or even simply their elders, will be equally touched by it. At the end book, the author eloquently notes that a dream of her own grandmother visiting her inspired the creation of this masterpiece.