It’s Moving Day.

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away
Written by Meg Medina & Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
Age Level: 4-8 Years
Published September 8, 2020

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I can totally fit inside your suitcase.

Is it just me, or have a ton of people moved this year?

According to the Pew Research Center, 22% of US adults moved due to the pandemic or know someone who did, so I have a feeling I’m not alone. My son’s two best friends moved (one hopped the pond all the way to England!) and he misses their company just as deeply as I miss being able to pick up the phone and ask their moms to meet me at the park so we could chat over coffees while our children mostly entertained themselves.

Given our recent experience, it’s no surprise that my son and I are finding a lot of comfort in this amazing book, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away. This book perfectly captures the essence of first friendships, which are particularly special and the bonds especially intense. Daniela and Evelyn are so close they consider themselves “almost twins,” which is such a darling yet meaningful statement, signifying that the relationship is so strong that they are like family to one another. The words and illustrations convey the raw emotion of trying to be brave when you have to say goodbye, and trying to be hopeful that this isn’t the end of your friendship.

“Evelyn Del Rey is my mejor amiga. My número uno best friend.”

There is an Ezra Jack Keats quality of authenticity to this book that I absolutely love. Daniela is Latinx and lives with her mami, while Evelyn is black and lives with both parents. Their urban apartment buildings are filled with diverse residents, including an Asian man named Mr. Soo who feeds pigeons from the window.

I’m done throwing bon voyage play dates for friends who tell me they’re moving, and instead am inviting them to my personal pity party because I’m so sad to keep losing people. I’ll be sure to gift them a copy of this book as a parting gift.

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