Latest news with #Mariela
Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Book Review: 'The Tilting House' is a novel about coming of age in Communist Cuba
Yuri is a 16-year-old orphan who lives simply with her religious aunt in a big, old house in Communist Cuba in the years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Yuri's parents had named her after the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin, hoping that one day she would grow up to be a famous female astronaut. Yuri now has vague hopes of being accepted into the Lenin school, Cuba's prestigious preparatory. Yuri and her Aunt Ruth's quiet lives are suddenly turned upside down when an unexpected visitor from 'la Yuma' — slang for the United States — shows up at their Havana home with a camera swinging from her neck and announcing she is family. Ruth later tells Yuri that 34-year-old Mariela is her daughter, and that when Mariela was an infant she sent her to live with a family in the United States through Operation Pedro Pan, a U.S. government program in which thousands of unaccompanied children were sent from Cuba to Miami in the early 1960s. 'The Tilting House,' by Miami-based writer Ivonne Lamazares, is an affecting and sometimes amusing coming-of-age novel set in a country that few have had the opportunity to visit, despite its proximity to the U.S. It's a study of hidden family secrets, the unhealed wound of losing a mother and the quest for home. Lamazares, who was born in Havana, knows her homeland well, and her book is rife with description and historic detail that only someone with first-hand knowledge could provide. Lamazares left Cuba for the United States in 1989 during a period of shortages and deprivation known as 'The Special Period in Time of Peace.' Her first novel, 'The Sugar Island,' also set in Cuba, was translated into seven languages. In 'The Tilting House,' Yuri is quickly pulled into Mariela's chaotic world and her absurd art projects, which include a tragicomic funeral for Ruth's dead dog, Lucho, in a public park using highly illegal homemade fireworks. Ruth, already viewed as suspect by the government as a member of the small Jehovah's Witnesses group, is arrested and sent to jail on unexplained charges. Mariela later tells Yuri that they aren't cousins, but sisters, and that their now-dead mother gave birth to her as a teenager. Mariela insists that their Aunt Ruth 'kidnapped' her and sent her to live in the U.S., where she was raised on a farm in Nebraska. More harebrained projects follow, and the family's tilting house finally tumbles after neighbors and acquaintances slowly chip away at the building to repurpose many of the structure's materials. Yuri later emigrates to the U.S., where she studies and starts a career that allows her to make a return visit to the island. On that trip her past becomes clearer, and she reaches something approaching closure and forgiveness. ___ AP book reviews:
Buzz Feed
02-03-2025
- Buzz Feed
27 Must-Have Travel Products If You're Preparing For Your Child's First Flight
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. From toys to an airplane bed to noise-reduction earmuffs, these things will make your child's first flight easier for both of you. 1. A tray table cover with pockets so your kiddo can keep everything they'll need within reach. Plus, it's more sanitary. And, it has pockets and raised edges to keep snacks, toys, and more contained. It can also be used as a tablet holder. 2. A pair of noise-reduction earmuffs to protect your baby from hearing damage or nap interruptions while they're on a flight. BTW, these are also great for concerts or parties to drown out loud music or sounds. Promising review:"Took my 2.5-month-old baby on his first trip, and these were lifesavers. I don't think he needed it for the pressure but for the other screaming children around us. I put them on right before takeoff. He slept through the entire flight despite the crying and screaming from other kids around us!!!!!!" — Sierria Malone Get them from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors). 3. Or, a pack of earplugs for kids that are designed for smaller ear canals so they'll fit comfortably in little ears. They will mold to your child's ears for a custom fit, reduce noise, and regulate air pressure while flying. Amazon Promising review:"Plane travel has always been challenging due to the pressure when landing, but these earplugs made it easy and pain-free! We inserted them one hour before landing and not one complaint, the very first time we flew she cried and screamed." — Mariela Get them from Amazon for $17.99. 4. A 360-degree travel pillow designed for kids because it will support their head so they can sleep comfortably while sitting up. That means when they doze off, they won't jerk awake because their head fell forward during a little turbulence. Amazon 5. A lightweight and compact stroller that can fit in the overhead bin on a plane so you can avoid the hassle of waiting around after your flight to get your stroller out of storage. Bonus: it'll fit easily in the trunk of a rental car or if you need to catch a cab. FYI: This was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for being the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds. Promising review:" This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it's too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed at how this thing works, and it's really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space-consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $130.19+ (available in three colors and three styles). 6. A pack of Dr. Brown's bottle and pacifier wipes for quick cleanups on the go. They're perfect for cleaning items that have fallen or gotten dirty when you're not near a sink, like during a flight. They're free of fluoride, alcohol, or any unsafe ingredients, so you can place items that have been wiped clean — like teethers and toys — right in your baby's mouth without having to rinse them off. Amazon, Promising review:"Great for travel. Great for diaper bag. I use it for binkies, hands, toys, etc. Everything winds up on the floor and in their mouths, so I don't want to use a typical wipe. These are perfect for peace of mind." — Blanche C Get a pack of 40 from Amazon for $2.98 (also available in a pack of 120). 7. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount because it can attach to almost anything, like a tray table, the arm of a chair, and even luggage, so your child will be able to watch their fave videos over and over again instead of being bored. Amazon Promising reviews:" Essential for traveling with young kids! This thing is clutch. Just traveled with my almost 3-year-old. We used the item for my iPhone so she could watch shows and movies on the flight. Very sturdy, holds its position well. Versatile positions. Highly recommend." — ellierae "Bought these for a few family members for a flight. They ended up using them to keep a baby's attention when out to eat, and used in the flight too. Stiff and strong hold. It doesn't seem to be dinky. Well-made, well-liked, and very happy." — Sam Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in five colors and packs of two). 8. A car seat travel bag with padded back straps, so you can lug a car seat through the airport easily. And, this will keep your kiddo's car seat protected from getting dirty or damaged if it needs to be stowed in the cargo compartment during your flight. It's universally sized to fit standard infant, convertible, and booster car seats. Promising review:"This thing holds two Cosco Scenera car seats stacked on one another! Super easy to load up and toss on your back. I couldn't have made it through the airport without this and my two toddlers!" — Sarah Viado Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two styles and five colors). 9. A diaper bag backpack that not only holds a ton of stuff but also extends into a diaper changing station. You'll be able to carry everything you could possibly need for your little one, and you won't have to worry about finding a changing table while traveling. BTW: This backpack also has a soft changing pad, a USB charging port, 18 pockets, two bottle pockets that can be used to keep bottles warm or cool, and a large compartment that can hold a laptop or breast pump. Promising review:" I absolutely love how huge it is and the changing the table is going to be amazing for public use or home use. I love that it has a bottle warmer area, and it attaches to my stroller wonderfully. The material seems like it's made really well and like it will last a long time. I had to reiterate on here that there was nothing wrong with the charger on it. There's just a cord on the inside that you have to plug in to charge it like a battery pack." — Amber Malone Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in eight colors). 10. An airplane bed because it turns an airplane seat into a comfy place to take a nap, saving you from a cranky, tired little who is about to throw a tantrum. It attaches to the tray table to give your little one a flat surface to sprawl out, without blocking the aisle or access to under-the-seat storage. Napflat/Etsy Napflat is a small biz based in Australia that was created by a mom who needed a solution so her children could get rest during long flights in their seats. Promising review:"The Napflat was great for my 2.5-year-old during our 24-hour flight to Europe. It was easy to set up and very discreet, we had no issues from the flight crew. The Napflat made my trip so much more comfortable instead of having my toddler sprawled over my lap. She could sleep with her legs stretched out in her own seat. Would highly recommend! Extra points for the very fast posting and friendly shop owner. 😊" — Julia Norrdahl 11. Or, an inflatable airplane bed that extends their seat so your child will have more room to prop their feet up, lay back, or sleep. BTW, it includes a pump, travel bag, and a safety belt. Amazon Promising review:"This toddler airplane bed is a game changer. It's soft, safe, and perfectly designed for little ones to rest comfortably on long flights. The bumpers are a great safety feature, and the compact pump makes inflating it a breeze. It fits well in the airplane seat and keeps the seat belt secure. I couldn't be happier with this purchase." — Ivan Fediukov Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in two styles and seven colors). 12. An affordable Dr. Brown's formula dispenser because it makes it easier to travel with baby formula so you can make bottles on a flight. It has divided compartments, so you can make three nine-ounce bottles just about anywhere without a bulky can of formula or a measuring scoop. BTW, one reviewer said it's the "best money I ever spent." Promising review:"This dispenser is a game changer for busy parents. Its portable design and pre-measured compartments make it easy to prepare bottles anywhere. With a twist-and-pour feature and secure lid, it's mess-free and reliable. A must-have for hassle-free feeding on the move." — Brittany White Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in three colors and a two-pack). 13. A Frida Baby travel medicine cabinet that includes a rectal thermometer, a pacifier medicine dispenser, and the cult-fave Nose Frida (a nasal aspirator) in a compact carrying case so you'll be prepared during a long flight if your little one suddenly starts feeling under the weather. (Doesn't it always seem to happen during the worst moments?) Plus, there's storage for other items you could add, like medicine, tissues, Band-Aids, and more. Amazon Promising review:"Excellent for travel. We loved this for travel and for helping us organize our diaper bag! You never know what can hit while you are traveling, so always having your medicine kit with you helped with my allergy-prone children and husband! Add this to your registry, new parents!!" — The Peens Party Of Three Get it from Amazon for $44.99. 14. A pack of toilet seat covers to protect your toddler from gross seats at the airport or on the plane because you never know what to expect in a public restroom. Promising review:" If you're a germaphobe like me, this is a must-have in your diaper bag. The thought of placing my son or daughter on a public toilet with only a seat liner is disturbing, especially since they're both little and still hold onto the toilet seat for support when peeing/pooping. These cover the toilet completely and even cover the lower part of the toilet where dangling legs and pants/skirts touch. My only complaint about these is that they are not flushable. It's difficult trying to gather the liner up (they are rather large) without touching the toilet or the possibly wet liner (because it partially fell in the water) and then scrunching it up to fit into a sanitary napkin bin. Other than that, these are great. Also, I don't use the adhesive strips at all since I have two little ones that usually need to go right away, so we don't have the time to remove the adhesive backing. I usually just place the liner on the toilet and then carefully plop my kid on to,p and all's well." — Ting Get a pack of 24 large covers from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and various packs). 15. An I-Spy bag so you can avoid about a dozen "are we there yet?" questions during your flight. This sealed bag will keep them entertained because it's filled with rice and hidden treasures for your kid to find. Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2/Etsy Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 is a small biz that sells hand-stitched items like cards, bags, and coasters. This bag includes a laminated list of 24 items for your kiddo to search for. Promising review:"My daughter loves playing with her I-Spy bag! She gets so excited finding the items in the bag and comparing it to the card. Keeps her busy on car rides, so that is a plus!" — Jecceka Get it from Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 on Etsy for $17.95 (available in various patterns and styles). 16. A travel seat that attaches to your luggage so you won't have to carry your child and your suitcase through a busy airport. And, this will save the day when your little one starts whining about being *too tired* to stand while waiting in the TSA line. Promising review: "I attached this to my carry-on bag, and it does what it's supposed to do. My child, who weighs approximately 22 pounds, was easy to pull through the airport with ease. I've also gotten lots of compliments. Definitely prefer using this if I don't need a stroller for where I'm going. No need to remove it when stowing your suitcase. It zips right up and lays flat." — Michelle B. Get it from Amazon for $44.99. 17. Or a monster truck luggage with wheels because it's a triple threat that can be used as a suitcase, ride-along, or toy. Not only can you pack some clothes and other essentials for your kiddo, but you can also easily pull your child without needing a stroller. Plus, reviewers say it also kept their kids entertained while traveling. Amazon, Promising review:"We bought this for my 3-year-old grandson. He loves it and it was quite the hit at the airport going home. Numerous people stopped my kids to ask where they got it and if it was a travel case. It did hold his essentials to keep him entertained, which is what most parents fear while taking cross-country flights. Not sure if it will end up a toy or a travel case." — BCC MI Get it from Amazon for $69.99. 18. An LCD writing tablet so your child will be able to draw a ton of pictures during a plane ride without you having to pack a bunch of art supplies. And you don't have to worry about charging this because the battery lasts 3–6 months! Amazon, Recommend for ages 3 and up. Promising review:"We bought this pad to take on a long car trip with our 4-year-old granddaughter. She is usually traveling with her nose stuck to an iPad, so I was looking for something to get her out of watching iPads all trip. This did the trick! She drew all kinds of things, practiced her numbers and letters, and played games with me. It was great to have something that didn't need to be charged." — Trudie Paschetag Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors). 19. Or, a pack of Melissa & Doug Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads that'll come in handy when there's no Wi-Fi and your little one is bored of all the videos you downloaded on their iPad. These pads come with a water "marker" that reveals colorful pictures without messy paint, markers, or crayons. Amazon, Recommend for ages 3 and up. Promising review:" My family and I went on a 27-hour road trip for the Christmas holiday. Needless to say, I was a bit anxious over the idea of traveling with a 4-, 2-, and 1-year-old. These things were a lifesaver! I had bought quite a few other activities for them to do, but they kept returning to these. I love that there is no cleanup, and they are reusable. I also thought the pen storage was a really nifty idea. The pages are a thick chipboard-like material so that there is no water leakage between pages. We still use these. Sometimes, I pull them out while I'm getting dinner ready, and it keeps them occupied. All in all, a great buy, and Amazon had the best deal on them." — Dina Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18.59. 20. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so your toddler can snack as much as they want while traveling without getting crumbs all over the place. These genius cups make it easy for your child to get their snacks out without making a mess. Amazon, Promising review:"The perfect companion for traveling with a toddler who loves to snack and prefers being independent. I can fit about 12 average-sized grapes in it, about 5–6 regular-sized cookies, about 8–10 mini cookies, a big handful or small cereal such as Cheerios, and about 10–12 standard Ritz crackers. These estimations are all things that I regularly place in there for him to snack on. Nothing spills out, and whatever does come out is whatever he grabs with his hands to get, which is amazing. The only thing I would suggest is placing foil or plastic wrap around the mouth of the cup to prevent any of the snacks from getting stale from being exposed. The lid doesn't fully cover the snack from air exposure. It simply protects the snack from spilling over and promotes child independence." — Antoinette Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.96 (available in two color combos). 21. A set of magnetic board games because your fam will be able to play classic board games without the pieces sliding off when you experience a little turbulence during a flight. Amazon This set includes 12 games: Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Tic Tac Toe, Backgammon, Snakes and Ladders, Solitaire, Nine Men's Morris, Auto Racing, Ludo, Space Venure and Racing. Promising reviews:"Kids totally occupied on our 11-day summer holiday trip! Plane rides, meals out, time spent at Airbnb or hotel. Fine quality for price — so many games to choose from!" — Sara Potts "Got these for the grandsons for a 12-hour drive. They're 14 and 7, and both enjoyed them." — hazel h Get it from Amazon for $25.99. 22. An airplane window tray if you travel with a child who is usually on your lap the entire flight. Now, you won't have to worry about holding your drink (or spilling it by mistake on your devices). This tray can hold drinks, cellphones, pens, glasses, baby bottles, and even earbuds. Promising review: "I sat at a window seat just so I could try it out. I travel with a small dog who sits on my lap, so I can't let my tray table down. This great new gadget gave me a table!! No more losing my earphones, pen, phone, glasses, or even Kleenex. PLUS, no more spilled drinks! Dozens of passengers saw it and now want one just like it :) I was the envy of the flight.😆" — amy Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 23. A portable white noise machine because nothing is worse than a fussy and tired toddler who is wayyy overdue for a nap. This will help drown out loud noise or unfamiliar sounds at the airport or on the plane so your child will be able to easily drift to sleep (and *stay* asleep). Promising reviews:"We use it at night, during the day at home, and even on the go. With our first baby, we had white noise on our phones; this just made our lives so much easier. We just leave it next to the baby with a timer, and she sleeps for a few hours." — Tatiana Figueiredo "This product has been a lifesaver! Our child LOVES the sound of rain/white noise, and this has calmed her down in the car seat sooooo much. She dislikes the car seat, and the portable machine has made our lives easier. We used it about every day for a month before the batteries finally died. Worth the money 100%." — Brianna Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 24. A pack of diaper booster pads so your baby's diaper will last longer during a flight, so you won't have to worry about a bunch of changes or them waking often. These inserts are designed to make any diaper an overnight diaper. They're super absorbent and will help prevent leaks. Amazon Promising review:" Oh my goodness, these are a LIFESAVER. My 2-year-old pees a lot overnight and was leaking through his overnight diapers every night. His pants would get soaked, and I would have to change him in the middle of the night or feel horrible letting him sleep in his own pee. Then I read about these booster pads, and I thought I'd give them a try. It totally worked. My kid doesn't leak through anymore. I would definitely recommend this for heavy night wetters." — Christine Get a three-pack of 90 pads from Amazon for $37.99. 25. A wooden maze because it's a great backup when their iPad dies during a long flight. And the ball is enclosed, so you'll never have to worry about them losing it. Drapela Woodworks/Etsy Drapela Woodworks is a small business based in Houston, Texas, that sells handmade wooden toys, decor, gifts, and more. Get it from Drapela Woodworks on Etsy for $39.95+ (this maze can be personalized with text at an additional cost). 26. A pack of disposable bibs so you won't have to worry about your kiddo messing up their clothes while at the airport or on a long flight. Plus, you won't have to wash a bunch of bibs after you land. Who wants to think about laundry on vacation? Amazon Promising review:"Great product. Easy cleanup. Lightweight. Great for on the go." — McKenzy Deling Get a pack of 30 for $9.99+ (available in three styles and in a pack of 720). 27. A slim portable power bank so you'll be able to charge your phone or tablet so your kiddo won't have to pause their Paw Patrol marathon before the flight is over. BTW, it also doubles as a flashlight, so you can search under your seat when your child drops their fave toy and you need to find it ASAP.
