First published 2025
Mateo and his dad sit across from each other at dinner every night in the city, but they might as well be strangers. Their lives feel empty and separate. Everything changes when they travel to the Philippines for a family reunion. Mateo watches his father's face light up with an expression he has never seen before. His dad suggests they take a bicycle journey to the village where he grew up. They pedal through stunning landscapes, catching fish in bright blue rivers and climbing trees to gather coconuts. Rice fields stretch endlessly around them as they ride. Along the way, Mateo discovers parts of his father he never knew existed. He also learns about bayanihan, the Filipino tradition of neighbors helping each other in times of need. When their adventure ends, saying goodbye proves hard. But Mateo and his dad return to city life transformed, carrying their strengthened bond and the spirit of community cooperation with them.
Genres: fiction, family-life, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Philippines, Rice Fields
32 pages · Hardcover · Viking Books for Young Readers