Riding Through Rice Fields
  • Published: 1 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593623077
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $39.99

Riding Through Rice Fields

A Trip to the Philippines

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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.
  • Published: 1 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593623077
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $39.99
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Praise for Riding Through Rice Fields

Praise for When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling:

ALA Notable Children’s Book of the Year; Kirkus Best of the Year; NYPL’s Best of the Year; Bank Street Best of the Year; BookPage Best of the Year

* "Debut author Sterling blends Filipino traditions with popular U.S. summer activities, creating a tender story celebrating culture shared between generations." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A glorious celebration of Filipino American experience. This book—much like Lola—is something to visit over and over again.” —Booklist, starred review

* "This is a beautiful, tender expression of family and love that spans generations and great distances. The illustrations add so much life and context to the words. An extraordinary expression of Filipino culture and intergenerational familial bonds." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Beautiful, sweet and warm. Like all the best childhood memories of loved ones, When Lola Visits feels familiar, friendly and faded to perfection." —BookPage, starred review

"Will make readers long for the scents and tastes the narrator describes, and the warmth and happiness of summertime. With a smooth flow of new vocabulary and a universal nod to the meaning of family, this will be a storytime favorite." —School Library Journal