RAULITO: THE FIRST LATINO GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA / EL PRIMER GOBERNADOR LATINO DE ARIZONA

By Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-916-6

Bind:  Trade Paperback

Pages:  168

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages:  8-12

 

This inspiring bilingual biography for intermediate readers recounts the story of the first—and only—Mexican-American governor of Arizona.

 

As a boy growing up in Arizona in the 1920s and 1930s, Raulito experienced discrimination on a regular basis. He wasn’t allowed to ride the bus to school with his Anglo friends, so he walked four miles each way, every day. He couldn’t swim in the local pool with everyone else because Mexicans could only swim on Saturdays, the day before it was closed for cleaning. And like other Spanish-speaking children, he was regularly hit for speaking his native language at school.

 

This inspirational bilingual “flip” book for intermediate readers recounts the life story of Raúl H. Castro, who was elected the first Mexican-American governor of Arizona in 1974. Fondly known as Raulito, he was one of eleven children born in the Mexican state of Sonora. His family moved to Pirtleville, Arizona, in 1918 when he was two years old. His family was poor, and their financial situation worsened when his father, a miner, died of lung disease ten years later at the age of 42.

 

In spite of the many obstacles he encountered, including racism and poverty, Raulito grew up to be a teacher, attorney, judge, diplomat and ultimately the first—and only—Latino governor of Arizona from 1975-1977. He also served as the US Ambassador to El Salvador from 1964-1968, to Bolivia from 1968-1969 and to Argentina from 1977-1980. This eye-opening biography will acquaint young readers with the difficulties Mexican Americans encountered in obtaining basic rights such as access to education and jobs and will motivate them to persevere in spite of difficulties.

 

 

REVIEW

 

“Governor Castro’s story is inspiring and powerful and one that will resonate with all young people who dream of making a difference.”–Janet Napolitano, former governor of Arizona and director of US Department of Homeland Security

 

“This is a quintessential Arizona story, profoundly important at its core and personally inspirational in its telling.”–Alberto Ríos, Poet Laureate of Arizona

 

RONI CAPIN RIVERA-ASHFORD is the author of several books for children, including Miguel and the Alebrijes (Disney/Pixar, 2017); My Tata’s Remedies / Los remedios de mi tata (Cinco Puntos Press, 2015); Hip, Hip, Hooray, It’s Monsoon Day! / ¡Ajúa, ya llegó el chubasco! (Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Press, 2007); and My Nana’s Remedies / Los remedios de mi nana (Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Press, 2002). She grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and lives in Tucson.

Latino Authors Are Writing For Coco

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University), and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3), Disney/Pixar’s Coco opens in U.S. theaters on November 22, 2017.

Coco: The Junior Novelization

Coco: The Deluxe Junior Novelization

By Angela Cervantes

Illustrated by RH Disney

Coco: The Junior Novelization retells the whole exciting movie and features eight pages of full-color scenes in this paperback novel. 

I Love My Family! A Book of Memories

By Edlin Ortiz

Illustrated by The Disney Storybook Art Team

This full-color hardcover book based on the film is the essential guide to the family tree of Disney/Pixar’s Coco. It’s perfect for readers ages 9 to 12.

Coco Big Golden Book

By Malin Alegria

Illustrated by The Disney Storybook Art Team

This Big Golden Book retells the whole story of Disney/Pixar’s Coco. 

Coco: Miguel and the Grand Harmony

By Matt de la Peña

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez

This jacketed picture book pairs Newbery Winner Matt de la Peña and Pixar artist Ana Ramírez with the highly anticipated Pixar Studios film, Coco. Featuring a beautiful original story based on the characters of the film, as well as vibrant stylized artwork, this title is sure to appeal to readers of all ages.

Miguel and the Amazing Alebrijes

By Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford

Illustrated by The Disney Storybook Art Team

Children ages 3 to 7 will love this full-color storybook with a shiny cover, game cards, and over 50 stickers based on the film.

My Tata's Remedies / Los remedios de mi Tata

By Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford

Illustrated by Antonio Castro L.

•    Age Range: 7 - 11 years
•    Grade Level: 1 - 6
•    Hardcover: 40 pages
•    Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press (May 5, 2015)
•    Language: English
•    ISBN-10: 1935955918
•    ISBN-13: 978-1935955917

A bilingual story of family and traditional wisdom: Tata teaches grandson Aaron natural remedies through healing neighbors and family.

"This charming little book will introduce young readers to safe and effective natural remedies from the native traditions of the American Southwest. A good way to learn about the healing power of plants."—Andrew Weil, MD

Aaron has asked his grandfather Tata to teach him about the healing remedies he uses. Tata is a neighbor and family elder. People come to him all the time for his soothing solutions and for his compassionate touch and gentle wisdom. Tata knows how to use herbs, teas, and plants to help each one. His wife, Grandmother Nana, is there too, bringing delicious food and humor to help Tata's patients heal. An herbal remedies glossary at the end of the book includes useful information about each plant, plus botanically correct drawings.

Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford grew up in Nogales on the Arizona-Mexico border. Born into a pioneering Jewish family with roots in Eastern Europe, Roni embraced the languages, cultures, and people on both sides of the border. Now a retired bilingual educator, her first book, My Nana's Remedies / Los Remedios de mi Nana, is a classic, a parent's and teacher's friend for teaching children traditional values.

Antonio Castro Lopez (L.) was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and has lived in the Juarez-El Paso area for most of his life. He has illustrated dozens of childrens’ books including Barry, the Bravest Saint Bernard (Random House), Pajaro Verde, The Treasure on Gold Street, The Day It Snowed Tortillas, The Gum-Chewing Rattler, and most recently, My Pet Rattlesnake, his fourth collaboration with renowned storyteller Joe Hayes.

Antonio often works with his son, Antonio Castro H., who is one of Cinco Puntos' primary designers. When Antonio illustrates a book, his son and he plan the book design and the artwork together so that the books they create are made hand in hand by father and son.

In 2005, the government of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, commissioned Antonio to paint a mural for the government palace. The mural commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Tomochic. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Texas, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Spain and Italy.

My Nana’s Remedies

Review by Ariadna Sánchez

I remember with great pleasure both of my grandmothers, Licha and Carmela. They used medicinal plants to treat illnesses. My abuelitas were amazing curanderas and storytellers. They sure knew how to heal the body and the soul.

The book My Nana’s Remedies written by Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford and tenderly illustrated by Edna San Miguel is a warm bilingual story that shows the immense knowledge of Nana when preparing a series of herbal remedies to treat her sick granddaughter.  Nana uses native medicine plants to cure from insomnia to a stomach ache. By doing this, Nana passes down to her granddaughter the vast richness of traditions, love, and skills in every remedy she gently prepares. Nana’s remedies bring two generations together to celebrate the beauty of family relationships. Nana’s wisdom is a legacy that will last in her granddaughter’s memory for ever just like the way I treasure my lovely abuelitas in my heart and memory.

At the end of the book, there is a useful medicinal plant glossary by Ana Lilia Reina that provides the readers a precise description of some of the most popular plants used around the world. My Nana’s Remedies is an excellent option to read during the summer. Special thanks to Restaurant Casa Oaxaca for making possible this pretty picture. Visit your local library for more stunning stories. Reading gives you wings. ¡Hasta Pronto!

Author Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford shares her books