Riding Through Rice Fields

A Trip to the Philippines

Michelle Sterling, Bianca Austria

$39.99

Hardback

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English

Viking Books for Young Readers
04 March 2025

Children's & young adult fiction & true stories; General fiction (Children's&YA)

A gorgeously written picture book about how healing it can be to return home, the natural beauty of the Philippines, and the concept of bayanihan.

A gorgeously written picture book about how healing it can be to return home, the natural beauty of the Philippines, and the concept of bayanihan.

A trip home reminds us of who we are.

Mateo and his dad live lonely, disconnected lives in the city. Every night at dinner, they look at each other, but they don't really see each other.

When they arrive in the Philippines for a family reunion, Mateo sees something in his dad's eyes that he's never seen before-adventure. Mateo and his dad embark on an epic bicycle trip to his father's childhood home, and along the way, they catch fish in a turquoise river, pick coconuts from a tall tree, and ride through one glorious rice field after another.

While Mateo learns more about this side of his father that he never knew, he also learns about bayanihan-people in the community coming together to help someone in need. When the trip comes to an end, it's difficult to say goodbye, but not only do Mateo and his dad bring home a stronger relationship as father and son, they also carry bayanihan back to their life in the city and strengthen the ties in their community.

By: Michelle Sterling
Illustrated by: Bianca Austria
Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 211mm, Width: 265mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9780593623077
ISBN 10: 059362307X
Pages: 32
Publication Date: 04 March 2025
Recommended Age: From 3 to 7 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Michelle Sterling is an author, photographer, and speech-language pathologist. When Lola Visits, her first picture book illustrated by Aaron Asis, received four starred reviews and was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and an ALSC Notable Children's Book of the Year. Her subsequent picture books A Sweet New Year for Ren, illustrated by Dung Ho, and Maribel's Year, illustrated by Sarah Gonzales, also received positive reviews. Find Michelle online at www.averyandaugustine.com. Bianca Austria is a Filipino American artist who grew up in Manila, Philippines, and is currently based in Long Beach, California. Her work tends to revolve around her travels and childhood memories, often visualized in a playful and whimsical style. She also takes pride in using her art to empower her Filipino culture as well as other underrepresented communities. You can visit Bianca Austria at BiancaAustria.art or follow her on Instagram @BiancaAustria.

Reviews for Riding Through Rice Fields: A Trip to the Philippines

Praise for Riding Through Rice Fields: ""A tender tale of family, culture, and connection."" --Kirkus Reviews ""Teach young readers about bayanihan and how the smallest contributions can help make a difference."" --BCCB Reviews ""An enlivening bicycle trip closes the emotional distance between a parent and child in Sterling’s serene tale . . . Austria’s digital illustrations render the lush landscape in greens, golds, and oranges, a palette that invigorates the duo’s return home, where the family toasts 'new beginnings and bayanihan!'"" -Publishers Weekly