Mamá the Alien / Mamá la extraterrestre- Paperback Edition

Written by René Colato Laínez

Illustrated by Laura Lacámara

*Publisher: Lee & Low Books

*Language: English, Spanish

*Print length: 32 pages

*ISBN-10: 1643797778

*ISBN-13: 978-1643797779

Mamá the Alien is now available in paperback edition!

In this lighthearted bilingual story, a young girl sees the word alien on her mother's immigration card and concludes that her mother must be from another planet.

When Sofia gets a peek at Mamá's Resident Alien card, she wonders: Is Mamá an alien from outer space? Sofia heads to the library to learn about aliens. Some have four fingers on each hand, and some have blue or green skin. But to Sofia, Mamá looks like a human mother!

Sofia is stuck figuring out this mystery until she sees her mom getting ready for her citizenship ceremony. That's when Sofia realizes that in English, an alien can be someone from another planet, and it can also be a person from another country.

Filled with imagination and humor, Mamá the Alien is a sweet and timely celebration of family, no matter where that family comes from. Even if it's outer space!

¡Mamá la extraterrestre ya esta disponible en edición de pasta blanda!

En esta alegre historia bilingüe, una niña ve la palabra alien en una tarjeta de imigración de su mamá y concluye que su madre debe ser alienígena.

Cuando Sofia ve una tarjeta de su mamá que dice Resident Alien, se pregunta: ¿podría ser mamá un alienígena, de otro planeta? Sofia va a la biblioteca para aprender sobre los extraterrestres. Algunos tienen cuatro dedos en cada mano y algunos tienen piel azúl o verde. ¡Pero para Sofia, mamá parece una madre humana!

Sofia se queda atascada con este rompecabeza hasta que ve a su mama preparandose para su ceremonia de ciudadania. Y es entonces que Sofia se da cuenta que en inglés, un alien puede ser alguien de otro planeta y también puede ser una persona de otro país. 

Lleno de imaginación y humor, este dulce libro es una oportuna celebración de la familia, no importe de donde vienen sus miembros. ¡Hasta si vienen del espacio sideral!

Review

"A delightful, original, clever, purposeful, multicultural alien tale." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This heartfelt and humorous story is perfect for primary-school readers, as well as a useful way for parents or educators to introduce the topic of immigration. An author's note further explains the meaning of resident alien and will help readers understand the humor behind Sofia's misunderstanding. Acrylic-and-collage illustrations in cheery saturated tones showcase Sofia's wild imaginings and the story's joyful conclusion." -- Booklist

"Playful.... The pictures are pleasant-looking, the subject is important to address with young children, and the story makes for very easy reading in both languages." -- School Library Journal

René Colato Laínez was born in El Salvador. He is an award-winning author who holds an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Críticas has called René's characters "immigrant heroes." He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

Laura Lacámara is both an author and illustrator of children's books. She is a popular presenter at schools, book festivals, libraries, and conferences, and is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. A native of Cuba, she now lives in Venice, California, with her husband and their daughter.

The Reel Wish- El deseo de mi corazón

Written by Yamile Saied Méndez

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Print length: 368 pages

ISBN-10: 1643796437

ISBN-13: 978-1643796437

After a panic attack prevents Florencia from performing as Clara in The Nutcracker and her best friend takes the lead, a new dance style helps her face her anxiety as well as a troubled friendship.

Ballet is Florencia del Lago’s entire world. After years of hard work, she is chosen as Clara in the winter production of The Nutcracker. Not only is she the youngest dancer to receive such an honor but also the first Latina. She’s on track to be recruited by the best ballet companies.

Unfortunately, she suffers a panic attack on opening night–on stage, in front of everyone. And then Selena, Florencia’s best friend, steps right into the role to replace her. Just like that, Florencia’s whole world falls apart–the ballet studio expels her, and her best friend turns on her, tormenting her on social media and in real life.

But even though the one thing she was driven toward has come to an end, therapy and family support help Florencia open up to new experiences. She notices people at school she’s never paid attention to before, and she even stumbles upon an Irish dance school and decides to give it a try. Can a new passion for Irish dance help Florencia find the joy of performing on the stage that she lost that fateful winter night?

El deseo de mi corazón

Cuando un ataque de panico impide que Florencia actúe como Clara en El Cascanueces y su mejor amiga actúa como Clara en lugar de ella, un nuevo estilo de baile la ayuda a enfrentar su ansiedad y una amistad problemática.

El ballet lo es todo para Florencia del Lago. Después de años de arduo trabajo, es seleccionada como Clara en la producción invernal de El Cascanueces. No sólo es la bailarina más joven en recibir tal honor sino también la primera latina. Está en camino de ser contratada por las mejores compañías de ballet.

Desafortunadamente, la noche del estreno, sufre un ataque de pánico– en el escenario, delante de todos. Y luego Selena, su mejor amiga, la reemplaza como Clara. Así, se desmorona su mundo entero– el estudio de ballet la expulsa, y su mejor amiga se vuelve contra ella, atormentándola en las redes sociales y en la vida real.

Pero a pesar de que algo que ella amaba llegó a su fin, la terapia y el apoyo familiar la ayudan a abrirse a nuevas experiencias. Forma una amistad con dos chicos de la escuela a los que nunca les había prestado atención, e incluso se encuentra con una escuela de danza irlandesa y decide intentar aprender esta nueva forma de arte. ¿Podrá una nueva pasión por la danza irlandesa ayudarla a encontrar la alegría de bailar en el escenario que perdió aquella noche de invierno?

REVIEW

* "This age is difficult to capture, and Méndez portrays it beautifully; Florencia has very grown-up feelings and actions interspersed with childlike observances. . . . Seeing a fellow tween navigate a difficult time will inspire not just dancers but any young person finding their way back to themselves." -- Booklist, starred review

* "A beautifully realized book that reminds readers that there's more than one rhythm to dance to." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Méndez examines the toll that participating in elite dance has on one child's friendships and mental health in this emotionally raw and honest offering." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Méndez offers readers a fully dimensional protagonist in Flor, an ambitious girl who balances her people-pleasing tendencies with her own desires. . . . Her grief, anxiety, and anger are all conveyed in a voice ringing with authenticity." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An impactful and nuanced look at childhood mental health and the pressures children sometimes face when pursuing their passions at an early age." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review

Yamile Saied Méndez is the award-winning author of many books for young readers and adults, including Furia, Where Are You From?, the Horse Country series, and On These Magic Shores, among others. She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, but has lived most of her life in a lovely valley surrounded by mountains in Utah. She's a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Writing program, and a founding member of Las Musas, a marketing collective of Latine writers. Connect with her at yamilesmendez.com.

Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People- Mercedes Sosa: La voz del pueblo

Written and Illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado

Publisher: Lee & Low Books; Standard Edition (September 17, 2024)

Hardcover: ‎40 pages

ISBN-10: 0892394706

ISBN-13: 978-0892394708

A stirring picture book biography of one of Latin America's most beloved singers and political activists, Mercedes Sosa.

Have you ever heard a song that made your heart soar?

A canción that captured your corazón?

A voice so powerful that it made you feel ready to change the world?

This is the story of a singer whose voice sailed through the air like the wings of a condor,

inspiring people everywhere.

Written and illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado, this is the powerful biography of Argentinean folksinger and activist Mercedes Sosa. Affectionately known as La Negra, Mercedes used her musical talents and powerful voice to speak out against poverty and inequality in her home country. In the face of a cruel dictatorship, Mercedes refused to be silenced. She bravely stepped on stage to lend a "voice to the voiceless" with uplifting songs of empathy and empowerment. Her unforgettable music and messages of hope continue to resonate with people across the world to this day.

Una conmovedora biografía ilustrada de una de las cantantes y activistas políticas más queridas de América Latina, Mercedes Sosa.

¿Alguna vez has oído una canción que te elevó a lo más alto?

¿Una canción que capturó tu corazón?

¿Una voz tan poderosa que te hizo sentir listo para cambiar el mundo?

Esta es la historia de una cantora cuya voz navegó por el aire como las alas de un cóndor,

inspirando al pueblo en cada latido de la tierra.

Escrita e ilustrada por Aixa Pérez-Prado, esta es la conmovedora historia de la cantante folklórica y activista política argentina Mercedes Sosa. Conocida cariñosamente como la Negra, Mercedes utilizó su talento musical y su poderosa voz para denunciar la pobreza y la desigualdad en su país. Ante una cruel dictadura, Mercedes se negó a ser silenciada. Con valentía subió al escenario para "dar voz a los que no tienen voz" con canciones edificantes de empatía y empoderamiento. Su música inolvidable y sus mensajes de esperanza continúan resonando en personas de todo el mundo hasta el día de hoy.

Review

"Distilling Argentina's history into accessible text, the work ends on an uplifting note, discussing how the figure's 'songs of empathy and esperanza, fearlessness and fuerza helped the country begin to heal.'" -- Publishers Weekly

"Accessible Spanish terms used within context pop up throughout the pages, enriching the text.... The illustrations add intensity, using rich hues, cutouts, and color overlays to enhance the drama of the action, punctuating the emotions beneath Sosa's lyrics and emphasizing the courage it took to sing those songs during the repressive regime. A fitting tribute to an exceptional woman." -- Booklist

Aixa Pérez-Prado is an author, an illustrator, and a university professor of linguistic and cultural studies. Originally from Buenos Aires, she crafts stories that explore intersectional identities, the need for belonging, and the richness of bilingualism. In her early years, Aixa found inspiration in the powerful voice of Mercedes Sosa and was drawn to the profound messages of social justice, human rights, and compassion in her music. These messages prompted her to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, exploring her own blended Indigenous and European heritage through the mediums of art, literature, and music. Aixa lives with her family in Miami, Florida. You can learn more about her at aixaperezprado.com.

I Can Be...Me!

By Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by Maya Gonzalez

 

Publisher: Lee & Low Books 

Language: ‎English

Hardcover: ‎32 pages

ISBN-10: ‎1643792059

ISBN-13: ‎978-1643792057

 

 

From bestselling author Lesléa Newman — a joyful picture book celebration of individuality, uniqueness, and children's freedom to express themselves while engaging in whatever kinds of play they choose.

 

I can be everything I want to be,

I can be all of magnificent me!

 

In this lighthearted story, a group of six, colorfully clad children exuberantly explore -- through play -- the many ways they can be themselves. They are free to embrace all kinds of activities, reveling in the fun of trying new things and discovering new ways of being. They can shoot baskets, dance around a room, weave ribbons through their hair, swim like a mermaid, and more. There is no right way or wrong way. There are no binary expectations. Children explore their individuality through whatever kinds of play appeal to them.

 

With lively, gender-neutral rhyming verses and fun, gender-bending images, author Lesléa Newman and illustrator Maya Gonzalez invite young readers into a space where creativity and acceptance are enjoyed by all, and where each child will be inspired to say, "I can be... me!"

 

Lesléa Newman is the author of more than seventy-five acclaimed books for readers of all ages. She has received numerous awards for her work, including two Stonewall Book Award Honors and a creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Newman is also a popular presenter at conferences, libraries, and schools. She lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts, with her spouse, Mary Grace Vazquez. Learn about Newman's books for children at lesleakids.com.

 

Maya Christina Gonzalez is a fine artist, an activist, an educator, and the illustrator of many award-winning children's books. Her books have received recognition from the Pura Belpré Award, Notable Books for a Global Society, and more. Gonzalez's books often focus on teaching, inspiring, and empowering children and adults to create personal and cultural change in their lives. She lives with her family in San Francisco, California. You can find her online at mayagonzalez.com.

Lee & Low Books Acquires Cinco Puntos Press

Press Release

 

In major news for independent publishing, diversity-focused publisher Lee & Low Books has acquired the assets of El Paso-based Cinco Puntos Press. The acquisition brings together the lists of two award-winning independent publishers who are deeply respected for their commitment to a wide range of voices, and adds more than 130 titles to Lee & Low’s list. Lee & Low Books will become the publisher and primary distributor of all Cinco Puntos Press titles, which previously were distributed by Consortium.

 

Founded in 1985 by husband-and-wife team Bobby and Lee Byrd, Cinco Puntos Press began with a focus on local stories and voices. “When we first started, we looked to our friends and our neighborhood, El Paso and the U.S./Mexico Border,” says Bobby Byrd. Over time, he says, “our neighborhood expanded to include the cultural diversity of all human experience, but our books always have the picante taste of the border, its politics and rasquache ways.”

 

Over the course of its 36 years, Cinco Puntos Press published close to 130 books and received many awards and accolades, including the American Book Award for Excellence in Publishing, several publishing grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an induction into the Latino Literary Hall of Fame. Their list includes many beloved and award-winning titles, from Joe Hayes’s classic bilingual storybook La Llorona/The Weeping Woman, to PEN/Faulkner Award winner Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, to Morris Award winner Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero.

 

The acquisition marks a new stage of growth for Lee & Low Books, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1991,  the company publishes diverse children’s books that are “about everyone, for everyone”–the company motto. Lee & Low Books is the largest multicultural children’s book publisher in the country, as well as one of the very few publishing companies in the United States owned by people of color. With the acquisition of Cinco Puntos Press, Lee & Low Books will expand its list to include its first adult titles, as well as significantly enlarging its collection of bilingual, Chicanx, and border literature.

 

Lee & Low plans to maintain Cinco Puntos Press titles under their own imprint, with the possibility of acquiring new titles under the imprint that align with Cinco Puntos’s mission and aesthetic. In addition, Lee & Low will become the publisher of several forthcoming Cinco Puntos Press titles, including Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narváez Varela, which received a starred review from Booklist and will be released in October 2021; Where Wonder Grows, the follow-up picture book to the award-winning All Around Us by Xelena González and illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, which received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly and will be published in January 2022 in both English and Spanish editions; and the adult literary thriller Nobody’s Pilgrims by award-winning author Sergio Troncoso, which will be published in May 2022.

 

Lee & Low also plans to reissue many Cinco Puntos Press books that are currently out of print, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to keeping diverse books in print for new generations of readers. “It is critical that a collection of strong diverse books like the ones that Cinco Puntos Press has published remain in print, and that is why these books were so important to us,” said Jason Low, publisher and co-owner of Lee & Low Books. Lee & Low Books previously acquired diverse children’s book publisher Children’s Book Press (CBP) in 2012 and Asia-focused publisher Shen’s Books in 2013, and has since brought nearly all of their titles back into print.

 

 

Deadline Approaching for Writing Contests

A note from Lee & Low Books

The deadlines to submit to our New Voices and New Visions Awards are quickly approaching!

Our annual awards encourage writers of color and Native nations to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. As the number of diverse books increases, Lee & Low Books is dedicated to increasing the number of authors of color and Native nations as well.

Keep reading for submissions guidelines and feel free to post, share, or print PDFs to help us spread the word about these great contests!

Warmly,

The Lee & Low Team

The New Voices Award is given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a new writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer.

Past New Voices Award submissions we have published include The Blue Roses, winner of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People; Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story, a Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist selection; and It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw, winner of the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Honor.

Eligibility:

1. The contest is open to writers of color and Native nations who are residents of the United States, 18 years or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published.

2. Writers who have published work in other venues and genres, including children’s magazines, young adult, and adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented submissions will be accepted.

3. Work that has been published in any format, including online and self published, is not eligible.

4. Manuscripts previously submitted for this award or to Lee & Low Books will not be considered.

Prize: The Award winner receives a cash prize of $2,000 and our standard publication contract, including our basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000.

Deadline: August 31, 2018

For full eligibility and submission guidelines, visit our website.

The New Visions Award is given for a middle grade or young adult novel by a new writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer.

Winning submissions include Ink and Ashes by Valynne Maetani, the recipient of an honor award from the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association; Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh, which received three starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection; and Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar, which received two starred reviews and was listed as a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People.

Eligibility:

1. The contest is open to writers of color and Native nations who are residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a middle grade or young adult novel published.

2. Writers who have published work in other venues such as children’s magazines or picture books, or adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented manuscripts will be accepted.

3. Work that has been published in its entirety in any format (including online and self publishing as well as other countries) is not eligible.

4. Manuscripts previously submitted for this award or to Tu Books will not be considered.

Prize: The Award winner receives a cash prize of $2,000 and our standard publication contract, including our basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000.

Deadline: August 31, 2018

For full eligibility and submission guidelines, visit our website

New Voices Award and New Visions Award

Lee & Low Books offers two annual writing contests that encourage writers of color to submit their manuscripts to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent.

New Voices Award Writing Competition for Authors of Color and Native nations

LEE & LOW BOOKS, award-winning publisher of children’s books, is pleased to announce the nineteenth annual New Voices Award. The Award will be given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer.

Established in 2000, the New Voices Award encourages writers of color and Native nations to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. Past New Voices Award submissions we have published include The Blue Roses, winner of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People; Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story, a Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist selection; and It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw, winner of the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Honor. 

Eligibility:

1-The contest is open to writers of color and Native nations who are residents of the United States, 18 years or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published.   

2-Writers who have published work in other venues and genres, including children’s magazines, young adult, and adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented submissions will be accepted.   

3-Work that has been published in any format, including online and self published, is not eligible.   

4-Manuscripts previously submitted for this award or to LEE & LOW  BOOKS will not be considered. 

Dates for Submission:

Manuscripts will be accepted from April 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018 and must be postmarked within that period.

See full eligibility and submission information. 

New Visions Award for Authors of Color and Native nations

TU BOOKS, the middle grade and young adult imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS, award-winning publisher of children’s books, is pleased to announce the sixth New Visions Award. The award will be given for a middle grade or young adult novel by a writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer. Established in 2012, the NEW VISIONS AWARD encourages writers of color and Native nations to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. Winning submissions include Ink and Ashes by Valynne Maetani, the recipient of an honor award from the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association; Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh, which received three starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection; and Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar, which received two starred reviews and was listed as a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People.

Eligibility: 

1-The contest is open to writers of color and Native nations who are residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a middle grade or young adult novel published. 

2-Writers who have published work in other venues such as children’s magazines or picture books, or adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented manuscripts will be accepted.

3-Work that has been published in its entirety in any format (including online and self publishing as well as other countries) is not eligible.

4-Manuscripts previously submitted for this award or to TU BOOKS will not be considered.

Dates for Submission 

Submissions will be accepted from April 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018, and must be submitted within that period. The submissions site will be only open from midnight (morning) on April 1, to midnight (night), August 31. Please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to allow uploading. 

See full eligibility and submission information.