Los Niños Mariachis / The Mariachi Kids

Written by Mario Bencastro

Illustrated by Robert Casilla

*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.

EL NIÑO DE MAÍZ / THE BOY OF MAIZE

  

By Mario Bencastro

Illustrations by Christina Rodriguez

 

 

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-946-3

Publication Date:  May 31, 2022

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 5-10

 

 

Gorgeous bilingual picture book introduces children to indigenous origin story of Latin America.

 

In a land where the yellow jaguar lives and the sun rises behind green mountains, “the earth was filled with joy” when Balám, the boy of maize, was born. He climbed on top of a big, blue turtle, and along with an assortment of other animals, began the journey to the village.

 

Excited to spread the word about the child’s birth, the creatures worked together—each utilizing its special skills—in perfect harmony with Mother Earth. The turtle walked so slowly that he sent the louse ahead to give the good news to the townspeople. But the louse fell asleep in the road, so the toad swallowed him and said, “I will take you with the message.” The toad, exhausted from taking big leaps, was swallowed by the snake, and the snake, unable to cross the river, was swallowed by the hawk. When the bird flew into the village, the louse delivered the message, but long days and nights passed and still the boy did not arrive! Would the great turtle be able to deliver the special boy?

 

Capturing the essence of nature while telling the mythical story that unites Central American countries around the importance of corn, this enchanting bilingual picture book introduces children to the Mayan origin story of a people made of maize. Written by acclaimed Salvadoran writer Mario Bencastro, it contains beautiful illustrations by accomplished children’s book artist Christina Rodriguez.

 

 

MARIO BENCASTRO is the author of numerous award-winning books, including a bilingual picture book, Un tren llamado Esperanza / A Train Called Hope (Piñata Books, 2021), and a novel for teens in English and Spanish: A Promise to Keep (Piñata Books, 2005) and Viaje a la tierra del abuelo (Piñata Books, 2004). Bencastro lives and works in Florida.

 

CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ is the illustrator of several picture books for children, including We Are Cousins / Somos primos (Piñata Books, 2007), Mayte and the Bogeyman / Mayte y el Cuco (Piñata Books, 2006) and Un día con mis tías / A Day with My Aunts (Piñata Books, 2006). She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2003 with a BFA in illustration.