When this world was new

Title: When This World Was New
Author/Illustrator: D.H. Figueredo/ and Enrique O. Sanchez
Medium: acrylic

Genre: Realistic Fiction.

Theme: Show how to overcome the fear and acceptance of new place

Summary: It is a story about Danilito, a young boy who emigrated from his warm island home overcomes fears about living in New York. He and His parents moved from the Caribbean to New York City. He was very afraid of the concept of moving to a new country where he and his family does not speak English. He was introduced to snow, which he never has seen it before! His fear disappeared

Literary Elements:


Setting-The setting is in various places: From the Caribbean island to the city of New York.

Characterization- Danilito is a boy who portrays the children how they felt about moving to a different place. In the book, you could see the expression of Danilito’s face when he arrives at the airport. Danilito saw something that he never has seen before and got excited. The tendency of children when they see something new, they would get excited about it.
Plot- The story begins with Danilito moving from the Caribbean island to New York City. Danilito was not familiar with the America because no one speaks his native language. There is an explanation of how Danilito’s fear starts from high at the beginning to low at the end.

Theme-The theme of the story is descriptive and informative. Danilito expressed how he felt about moving.

Style- The author uses acrylic on paper. The pictures show different backgrounds: island, airport, and city, inside the car, meeting Danilito’s uncle Berto, and snowing. The dialogue is like a child is telling the story. The story is trying to teaching kids that it is okay to have a fear and eventually overcame it. The tone of the story is enlightening. D.H Figuereo uses “I” through out the book as if Danilito is telling the story. The point-of-view in the book is first person.

Reflection/Evaluation- When This World Was New is a great book for children who are not in a familiar place. For instance, when Freddy, a new student, moves from Tennessee School for the Deaf to California School for the Deaf, Fremont, of course, Freddy will face a lot of obstacles. That is where he gets fear; New environment, new people, and the speed of signing. Overall, I love this book, it is very adorable because Danilito is able to express how he felt.