Review: Claudia Said Sí!

Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of México’s First Woman President

by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Carlos Velez Aguilera

Apples & Honey Press

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Lauren Kasiarz

 

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This biography of the current president of Mexico starts with Claudia Sheinbaum as a young girl living in Mexico City. The winter butterfly migration occurs, signaling to Sheinbaum that it is almost time for Hanukkah. From there, the book follows Sheinbaum’s progression, or “metamorphosis”, from schoolgirl to scientist to politician. Readers follow her environmental contributions as a scientist, as the Secretary of the Environment, then as the Mayor of Mexico City. The story concludes with Claudia Sheinbaum  becoming President - the first woman, Jewish person, and scientist to lead the country of Mexico.

This picture book biography captures a tremendous amount of information about Mexico’s President in chronological order, with a reading level that would be accessible to most older picture book readers. Likely due to Sheinbaum’s STEM background, the book also attempts to connect her life to the evolution of a butterfly, likening her ascension to the presidency to a butterfly’s metamorphosis.

Sparsely scattered throughout the text are words in Spanish, reminding the reader that the book is set in Mexico. In one spot, though, the language of Sheinbaum’s education is somewhat unclear as she reflects in English (not Spanish) on learning the word “metamorphosis”.

Velez Aguilera’s illustrations are lifelike throughout, with saturated colors bringing life and vibrancy to Claudia Sheinbaum, the monarch butterflies, and the backdrop of Mexico City.

While Claudia Said Sí! is about the Jewish President of Mexico, Sheinbaum’s Jewish identity appears only in the childhood observance of Hanukkah with her grandparents. Beyond that, there is information in the backmatter pertaining to the broader Jewish community in Mexico. This biography celebrates Sheinbaum not just as the first Jewish president, but as the first female and first scientist president. Because of this story’s breadth, and its STEM focus, this book has the potential for broader appeal beyond the Jewish community.

 

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Reviewer Lauren Kasiarz is an author who celebrates diverse representation in Jewish kidlit on her Instagram page @diversejewishbooks. She’s been published in Kveller, is a #PBParty 2025 Finalist, and was selected to participate in the PJ Library Picture Book Summer Camp at the Highlights Foundation.