By Raquel M. Ortiz
Illustrations by Flor de Vita
ISBN: 978-1-55885-886-2
Publication Date: October 31, 2019
Format: Hardcover
Trim: 8.5″ x 11″
Pages: 32
Imprint: Piñata Books
Ages: 6-9
This bilingual picture book introduces
children to an Afro-Latino musical tradition.
“Julia, they’re already warming up.
Hurry!” Cheito says to his little sister as they rush to their bomba class.
Cheito is a natural on the drums, but Julia isn’t as enthusiastic about
dancing.
Julia tries to imitate the best dancer in
the class, but her turns are still too slow, her steps too big. She just can’t
do anything right! When the instructor announces the younger students will be
participating in the bombazo and performing a solo, Julia is terrified. When
it’s her turn, she takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and focuses on the beat
of the drum. As she dances, Julia notices that the drums are actually talking
to her. Feeling braver, she stops worrying and trying so hard. Instead, she
loses herself in the rhythm of the bomba drums and enjoys herself!
Introducing children—and adults!—to the
Afro-Latino tradition of bomba music and dancing, author and educator Raquel M.
Ortiz shares another story for children ages 5-9 about her rich Puerto Rican
heritage. With lively illustrations by Flor de Vita that aptly express Julia’s
frustration, fear and joy, this book will help children understand that
practicing—whether dance steps, dribbling a ball or playing a musical
instrument—yields results!
A Junior Library Guild Selection
“Afro-Puerto Rican dance traditions are
celebrated through one girl’s breakthrough moment with bomba. A solid reminder
of music’s power and a good primer on Puerto Rican dance culture.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The theme of dance as a liberating force
for self-expression is enhanced by cultural context in this picture book.
Ortiz’s straightforward text taps into several relatable and authentic themes,
including the pressure children can feel to embody all aspects of their
cultural backgrounds, and dispelling the notion that all Latinxs are naturally
rhythmically gifted. A wonderful pairing for titles depicting the
intersectionality of Latinx heritage, like Margarita Engle’s Drum Dream Girl
and Eric Velasquez’s Looking for Bongo.” —Booklist
“The illustrations provide readers with a
clear view of Julia’s emotions as she confronts her fears and anxiety about
dancing. The author includes general information about the bomba as well as a
glossary of Spanish words in this bilingual edition. VERDICT An additional
purchase for patrons who are interested in learning about bomba, a Puerto Rican
dance.”—School Library Journal
RAQUEL M. ORTIZ was born and raised in
Lorain, Ohio. She is the author of two other bilingual picture books: Sofi and
the Magic, Musical Mural / Sofi y el mágico mural musical (Arte Público Press,
2015) and Sofi Paints Her Dreams / Sofi pinta sus sueños (Piñata Books, 2019).
She has worked at The Brooklyn Museum, the Allen Memorial Art Museum and El
Museo del Barrio. Currently, she creates educational material for the Puerto
Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassadors Program at the Center for Puerto Rican
Studies at Hunter College in New York City.
FLOR DE VITA, a native of Veracruz,
Mexico, is the illustrator of Just One Itsy Bitsy Little Bite / Sólo una
mordidita chiquitita (Piñata Books, 2018). A graduate of the Instituto
Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey with a B.A. in Animation and
Digital Art, she currently resides in Jalisco, Mexico.
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