*Publisher: Arte Público Press
*Imprint: Piñata Books
*ISBN: 979-8-89375-019-5
*Format: Hardcover
*Pages: 32
* Ages: 4-8
Bilingual picture book depicts the importance of practice and persistence while introducing kids to a popular musical form.
Joselito knew he wanted to be a mariachi the first time he heard a group perform the traditional Mexican folk music. He and his sister Lupita wanted to wear the fancy outfits—big hats, colorful bowties and shiny boots—and sing just like them!
Their mother said they were too little; their dad said the hats were too big for them and their grandfather said their voices weren’t strong enough yet. When the boy sang at school, the other kids laughed at him, but his teacher encouraged him to “Keep on singing, Joselito. One day you will be a great mariachi.” So he and Lupita practiced and practiced. Finally, their parents thought they were ready and bought them the special outfits—black with silver details for him, and white with gold trim for her. “They were the best presents ever!” The siblings began performing at parties and soon they were known as “the Mariachi Kids.” Not only did their classmates quit making fun of them, but they won an important competition too!
This bilingual picture book about kids who persist in chasing their dream also shares information about a beloved musical genre. Containing the lyrics for the iconic Mexican birthday song, “Las mañanitas,” in Spanish and English, this book will familiarize young readers with a popular art form while reminding them that “practice makes perfect!”
“This bilingual book about children pursing their dreams is a buy for libraries with a large Latinx community and an additional purchase for those with a smaller Spanish children’s collection.”—School Library Journal
MARIO BENCASTRO is the author of numerous award-winning books, including two bilingual picture books, Un tren llamado Esperanza / A Train Called Hope (Piñata Books, 2021) and El niño de maíz / The Boy of Maize (Piñata Books, 2022), which was named a 2023 Américas Award Commended Title and to the Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Picture Books in Spanish. He lives and works in Florida.
ROBERT CASILLA was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to parents from Puerto Rico. He has illustrated many children’s books, including one he wrote, Mariano’s First Glove / El primer guante de Mariano (Piñata Books, 2023), which received Honorable Mention in the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española’s Premio Campoy-Ada; Pat Mora’s The Remembering Day / El día de los muertos (Piñata Books, 2015) and First Day in Grapes (Lee & Low Books, 2014), which received a Pura Belpré Honor Award. He lives in New Fairfield, Connecticut, with his wife Carmen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you! Comments on last week's posts are Moderated.