Book Event in Ventura for Arty's Amazing Accordion

Melinda Palacio 

Arty's Amazing Accordion/El Acordéon Assombroso de Arty
by Amada Irma Perez 

Award-winning author Amada Irma Perez has worked with traditional and non-traditional publishers. Lately, she has been self-publishing and owning all of the laborious creative process. You wouldn't know the books were self-published, based on the professional quality of her new book, Arty's Amazing Accordion/El Acordéon Assombroso, illustrated by Lili Sosa. 

Ever since her college days, Amada knew that she would write the story about her husband's journey as an accordion player. Dating a a college student and musician, who played in several bands meant little time for their romance. However, 50 years later, their children and grandchildren are often regaled with Arty's world class playing. In college, he was in a Norteño band but played music from all over the world and was sought after for celebrations. 

Gifted from the start, his farm working parents picked lemons in Upland and grapes further north. Music classes were a luxury that his parents struggled to afford, but they didn't spare their son. Amada says his mother saved to buy the best accordion money could buy. "They sacrificed for him to play music. His mother would rush home from the packing house to get him to his lesson. If she was late, she would get a taxi." The sacrifice paid off, in Junior High and High School, Arty won talent shows and he became a much sought after accordion player for his ability to play musical styles from all over the world.

Although a back injury caused him to trade the accordion for the piano for ten years, his students appreciated his piano playing. Several on facebook have thanked him for playing Happy Birthday for them. And much to his relief, he was able to return to his beloved accordion after the long decade of healing.  

Amada surprised him with the book for his 78th birthday. The delightful bilingual children's book tells the story of his love for music. The gorgeous book is endorsed by Sandra Cisneros who writes: "Arty reminds us that we all need art to feed our hungry hearts, especially if we are amazing children."

Everyone is invited to Amada's book signing, Saturday, February 4 at 2pm at Timbre Books in Ventura, 1924 E. Main Street. You can meet the real life Arty who will play some songs, along with their son.