A Tribute to Marina Tristán

Thank you Marina Tristán for all your years of dedication to Arte Público Press. Some of Arte Público Press authors want to tell you muchas gracias. We will miss you. Te vamos a extrañar. You will always be our amiga and friend.

In your honor, I wrote this acrostic poem just as René did in I am René, the Boy. 

M es por los maravillosos libros que ayudo en publicar.

A es por los ánimos dado a cada autor.

R es por la riqueza sabiduría dada a cada palabra escrita.

I es de infinita ayuda desde manuscrito a libro

N es de buenas noticias a los autores

A es por el abundante vacío que dejará en Arte Público Press.

René Colato Laínez author of René Has Two Last Names/ René tiene dos apellidos.

*

Marina Tristán, thank you for encouragement, taking me to “the best pho” and being equally kind and fierce. Working with you has been a joy. I’ve enjoyed talking about life just as much as books. Enjoy whatever comes next, perhaps escaping the heat and rescuing even more dogs and cats. Un abrazo fuerte. 

Amy Costales author of Sundays on Fourth Street / Los domingos en la calle Cuatro.

*

Conocí a Marina Tristán en una conferencia de escritores hace unos catorce años. Desde el primer momento en que comenzamos a hablar supe que estaba ante una persona muy respetuosa, educada y con un gran espíritu humano.

Marina, estaba en su puesto de libros representando a la Editorial Arte Público Press-Piñata Books. De una manera muy amable y con un fino conocimiento me habló de la editorial y de los libros que mostraban en la conferencia.

Me di cuenta de su alto conocimiento por la literatura Latino

Americana en Los Estados Unidos y por supuesto por la literatura infantil bilingüe. No dude en contarle que yo era escritor salvadoreño,

Marina no dudo en invitarme a enviarle mis manuscritos.

Las puertas de Arte Público se me abrieron gracias a Marina Tristán quien meses más tarde se convirtió en una de mis editoras. Muchas gracias Marina por creer en mis historias y en mi poesía, ya no serás mi editora, eso es lo de menos, te tengo como amiga para toda la vida....

Jorge Argueta autor de Tierra, Tierrita / Earth, Little Earth.

*

Marina,

Thank you for always making Arte Publico Press feel like home, and making us all feel like family. We can't say thank you enough for all that you have done. 

Xavier Garza author of Vincent Ventura Series

*

Dedicated to Marina Tristan, who’s believed in my stories, songs, poems and, most importantly, in me. 

Inside of Me

Some days 

I have a poem stuck inside of me

wiggling around

trying to get out 

Some days 

I have a poem bubbling inside of me

and purple becomes ‘violet’

happy becomes ‘joyful’

and my tongue whirls around 

A, E, I, O, U

Some days 

I have a poem boogieing around inside of me

as a smile dances across my face

rainbows twirl around my tummy

and all ten fingers and toes 

tap a sweet bomba beat

Some days 

I have a poem twisting and twirling inside of me

filling me up with sunshine and rain

turning memories into music

and making everything 

right.

Raquel M. Ortiz author of When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia bailaba bomba.

*

Marina, I'm deeply grateful for your kindness, guidance, and care throughout my publishing journey. Arte Publico Press believed in my stories and you made the process possible and joyful. Your dedication to uplifting Latino voices has left a beautiful legacy. Thank you for everything and I wish you joy in this new chapter! 

Erika Said author of El cumpleaños de mi hermana Dulce / My Sister Dulce’s Birthday.

*

If you have worked with Marina and would like to write some words of dedication to her, please send it at renecolatolainez@gmail.com. We can always have a part 2 in tribute of Marina Tristán. 

VINCENT VENTURA AND THE CURSE OF THE DANCING DEVIL / VINCENT VENTURA Y LA MALDICIÓN DEL DIABLO BAILARÍN

Written by Xavier Garza

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-965-4

Publication Date:  May 31, 2023

Format:  Trade Paperback

Pages: 160

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 8-12

 

This thrilling bilingual short novel introduces young readers to a spooky Latino legend about a handsome stranger who is more than he seems!

 

Loud music wakes Vincent up in the middle of the night, and he sees a red pickup truck pull in at the house across the street. A red-headed girl and a man decked out in a sparkly western shirt and cowboy hat get out, and he proceeds to two-step up and down the driveway before they go inside. Through the windows, Vincent can see them dancing in unison, the man downstairs and the girl upstairs. Their movements are virtually identical and they begin spinning faster and faster. Suddenly, he sees what looks like horns begin to sprout from the man’s head! It seems there’s another monster mystery begging to be solved!  

 

The next day at the library, Vincent reads about a border urban legend involving a handsome stranger who is really a dancing devil! He also meets a new student, Lilith del Diablo, who he saw the night before! Soon Vincent and his friends have gained Lily’s trust and she tells them her biological father, Luciano del Diablo, is intent on forcing her to become his partner in crime terrorizing girls at dance halls along the US-Mexico border. Meanwhile, Vincent finds his mother’s trunk in the garage and is shocked to find it’s full of monster-fighting tools—silver coins, a slingshot, wooden stakes—and a journal with information on the various beasts. Why would she have this information? Does he come from a long line of ancestors who fight unnatural demons? Is that why evil creatures are constantly moving in across the street?!   

 

With help from his mother’s diary, Vincent concocts a plan to save Lily from the dancing devil, but it’s going to take all his friends’ and cousins’ wits to make it work. This bilingual book for intermediate readers, the fifth installment in Garza’s Monster Fighter Mystery series, follows the dangerous battle between a seasoned devil and one unsure of her powers, a witch owl and several very determined kids!

 

 

XAVIER GARZA is the author of numerous books for kids, including four previous volumes in the Monster Fighter Mystery series: Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Weeping Woman / Vincent Ventura y la maldición de La Llorona (Piñata Books, 2021), Vincent Ventura and the Diabolical Duendes / Vincent Ventura y los duendes diabólicos (Piñata Books, 2020), Vincent Ventura and the Mystery of the Witch Owl / Vincent Ventura y el misterio de la bruja lechuza (Piñata Books, 2019) and Vincent Ventura and the Mystery of the Chupacabras / Vincent Ventura y el misterio del chupacabras (Piñata Books, 2018). He lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.

EL CUMPLEAÑOS DE MI HERMANA DULCE / MY SISTER DULCE’S BIRTHDAY

 

By Erika Said

English translation by Gabriela Baeza Ventura

Illustrations by Claudia Navarro

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-954-8

Publication Date:  October 31, 2022

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

Vivid illustrations show two girls’ excitement about a birthday celebration

 

Six-year-old Dulce loves sweets, which is fitting since her name means “sweet.” She especially relishes the candy in birthday piñatas, and she and her sister can’t wait for her own party “with candles and cake, / balloons, music and a piñata.”

 

Kids will eagerly follow Dulce and her sweet tooth in search of the perfect birthday treats. At the store, there are brightly colored piñatas shaped like stars, cacti, donkeys and even a guitar! How to decide?!? And what does she want to fill its belly with? There are “mountains of delicious candies” to choose from! There are mazapanes, tamarindo and sweet toffee! Crunchy wafers with teeth made of seeds and sugar-crusted sweet potato slices!

 

Claudia Navarro’s colorful illustrations joyfully depict two girls’ excitement at a traditional Mexican birthday celebration where hitting the piñata leads to a cascade of sweet treasures. Children—and some adults too—will enjoy identifying their favorite candies, and this bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8 is sure to inspire kids’ plans for their own birthday celebrations!

 

Erika Said is the author of iPoems: Poemas en Shuffle (El Humo, Querétaro, 2013) and co-author of Fuego del Aire (Media Isla, 2015). Her work has been published in Mexican and US magazines such as Revista de Literatura Mexicana Contemporánea and Círculo de Poesía. Her writing has been anthologized in numerous books, including Lados B (Nitro Press, 2018), Viejas Brujas II (Aquelarré Editoras, México DF, 2017), Along the River II (VAO, McAllen, 2012) and El infierno es una caricia (Fidaura, Mexico DF, 2011). She is a Ph.D. student in the Creative Writing Program in Spanish at the University of Houston.

 

Claudia Navarro, a Mexico City native, studied graphic design at the National School of Arts at UNAM. Her books include La Divina Catrina/ Oh, Divine Catrina (Piñata Books, 2020) and La Frontera: El viaje con papá/ My Journey with Papá (Barefoot Books, 2018).

HALLOWEEN, EL DÍA DE LAS BRUJAS / HALLOWEEN, A DAY FOR WITCHES

By María L. Gutiérrez

Illustrations by Nicole Montenegro

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-953-1

Publication Date:  October 31, 2022

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

 

Colorful illustrations enhance one boy’s excitement about the annual fall holiday

 

 

“Oh, what fun, it’s Halloween! / No witches or monsters can stop me / from having fun this Halloween!”

 

In this poetic ode to kids’ favorite fall holiday, a young boy eagerly anticipates the impending night. There are so many costumes to choose from that he can’t decide. But finally, “A fierce pirate that’s what I’ll be, / and no one will recognize me.” There are pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, haunted houses and spooky front porches. And best of all, the treats!

 

Montenegro’s vibrant illustrations bring to life a neighborhood with children in elaborate costumes—a mummy, a princess, a cowboy, Dracula!—, going from door to door calling, “Trick or treat!” This bilingual picture book will encourage children ages 4-8 to write their own poems about Halloween—and of course begin imagining their costumes for a very special night! This bilingual picture book will encourage children ages 4-8 to write their own poems about Halloween—and of course begin imagining their costumes for a very special night!

 

María L. Gutiérrez, a former bilingual teacher who taught for almost 40 years, comes from a large immigrant family. She was born in Oxnard, California, but her family moved back to Mexico when she was four. A graduate of California State University, Fresno and California State University, Northridge, she lives in Santa Paula, California.

 

Nicole Montenegro, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, is a children’s book illustrator based in North Carolina.  

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

By Estela Bernal

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-915-9

Publication Date:  May 31, 2021

Bind:  Trade Paperback

Pages:  200

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages:  11-16

 

 

Engaging novel for teens explores a girl’s determination to be a chef.

 

 

Seventeen-year-old Lucy Sánchez’s world is turned upside down when her grandmother dies. Nana was instrumental in teaching her how to cook and encouraging her dream to become a chef. More importantly, her kitchen was a safe haven from the dysfunction at home.

 

When Lucy becomes the target of her father’s physical abuse, she is forced to escape sooner than she’d planned. “I’m going to be a chef,” she keeps telling herself while on a bus headed to Los Angeles. Her life changes forever, though, when she sees a help-wanted sign in a restaurant window and impulsively gets off the bus in a small Arizona town.

 

Lucy is thrilled to get the job, even though she’ll start as a dishwasher, working for room and board. When the owners of La Cocina discover her cooking skills, they promote her to assistant chef. Before long, word about her culinary talents begins to spread. But conflict with a jealous waitress and her sleazy boyfriend escalates as they harasses Lucy at every opportunity. Is it too much to ask to cook, take classes at the local community college and get to know the cute guy she met there?

 

“In this tale of resilience and recovery, Bernal keeps the pacing tight and brisk, mapping out Lucy’s arc from scared adolescent to triumphant yet cautious chef-in-progress. A well-rounded feast for the heart.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

 

ESTELA BERNAL, a South Texas native, is the author of a novel for young adults, Can You See Me Now? (Piñata Books, 2014). She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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.

JOSEFINA’S HABICHUELAS/ LAS HABICHUELAS DE JOSEFINA

 

 

By Jasminne Mendez

Illustrations by Flor de Vita

Spanish translation by Adnaloy Espinosa

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-923-4

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

Young Josefina gives up sweets for Lent and then learns how to make her Dominican family’s traditional Easter dessert.

 

Like all kids, Josefina loves to eat sweets. She loves warm chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven, cupcakes and candy! One night, while eating a piece of flan, Mami asks her to consider giving up sweets for Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. “That’s impossible!” Josefina says. When Mami promises to teach her how to make her favorite dessert, habichuelas con dulce, she agrees to give it a try.

 

Josefina can’t wait to end her fast and eat the delicious sweet cream beans, her family’s traditional Easter dessert. While she and her mom, tías and abuela prepare the dish, they dance to merengue music and tell stories about life back in the Dominican Republic. The kitchen fills with the aromatic smells of cinnamon and sugar, but it’s the feelings of love and happiness Josefina will never forget. On Easter Sunday, when the family eats the special dessert she prepared, the girl’s grandmother proclaims, “It’s the best pot of habichuelas con dulce I’ve tasted in my life!”

 

This heart-warming, bilingual picture book for children shares a universal story all kids can relate to—learning about one’s culture through food, music and family stories—while focusing on a cultural tradition specific to the Dominican Republic. As a bonus, the book includes the recipe for this special dessert—in both English and Spanish!

 

REVIEW

 

“In her first picture book, Mendez wonderfully showcases the numerous ways that food brings Latinx—in this case, Dominican—families and communities together. Presented in both English and Spanish (via Espinosa’s translation), the author’s text forgoes flair for simple earnestness in a manner that highlights the book’s themes. Likewise, De Vita’s cozy pictures provide plenty of ideal images of family, with a diverse range of skin tones from light brown to dark brown. A stirring author’s note and a recipe for habichuelas con dulce wrap up a pretty sweet tale.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

JASMINNE MENDEZ is a Dominican-American poet, playwright and award-winning writer. She is the author of a memoir, Night-Blooming Jasmin(n)e: Personal Essays and Poetry (Arte Público, 2018), and a multi-genre memoir, Island of Dreams (2013), winner of an International Latino Book Award. Josefina’s Habichuelas / Las habichuelas de Josefina is her first picture book for children. She lives and works in Houston, Texas.

 

FLOR DE VITA, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, has illustrated two picture books: When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia bailaba bomba (Piñata Books, 2019) and Just One Itsy Bitsy Little Bite / Sólo una mordidita chiquitita (Piñata Books, 2018). A graduate of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey with a B.A. in Animation and Digital Art, she currently resides in Jalisco, Mexico.

 

BROKEN BUTTERFLY WINGS / ALAS DE MARIPOSA ROTAS

 

 

By Raquel M. Ortiz

Illustrations by Carrie Salazar

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-922-7

Publication Date:  October 31, 2021

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

 

Bilingual picture book celebrates the importance of imagination while introducing kids to the Puerto Rican rainforest!

 

Gabriela is super excited when her gift from Titi Sylvia finally arrives. She loves the colorful, glittery butterfly wings! She stands in the middle of her room and flaps and flaps her new wings, but nothing happens. She jumps off her bed, vigorously moving the wings up and down, but again, nada. She hops down the hallway and the stairs, but she still can’t fly!

 

Disappointed, Gabriela goes to the garage, digs into her father’s toolbox and sets about trying to fix the broken butterfly wings. Maybe she can add a battery or an engine. Her father has a better idea, though, and encourages her to close her eyes and think about where she would like to fly. Soon she is envisioning El Yunque, a rainforest on the island of Puerto Rico that is full of tall green trees, humming waterfalls and chattering birds. She can even hear the coquí, a tiny tree frog that lives only on the island, singing its special song: coquí-coquí.

 

Demonstrating the joy found in using one’s imagination, this bilingual picture book depicts a young girl drawing on her senses—smell, hearing, sight—to return to a beloved place. Kids will appreciate the beauty of the rainforest’s birds, frogs and other natural wonders while admiring a strong girl willing to create solutions to problems.

 

 

RAQUEL M. ORTIZ was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, of Puerto Rican parents. She is the author of the bilingual picture books: When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia bailaba bomba (Piñata Books, 2019), Sofi Paints Her Dreams / Sofi pinta sus sueños (Piñata Books, 2019) and Sofi and the Magic, Musical Mural / Sofi y el mágico mural musical (Arte Público Press, 2015). She has worked at the Brooklyn Museum, the Allen Memorial Art Museum and El Museo del Barrio. Currently, she creates educational material for the Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassadors Program at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York City.

 

CARRIE SALAZAR, the daughter of immigrants, illustrated Odin, Dog Hero of the Fires (West Margin Press, 2020). She grew up in a small community in southeastern Louisiana, and now lives in California with her family and many pets.

 

Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature

 

Houston, TX— Generations of Hispanic children in US schools had to do without books reflecting their culture and heritage. In 2019, according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 225 of the 4,029 children’s books published were written by Latinos; only 235 were about Latinos.

In an effort to fill that gap, Arte Público Press is accepting children’s book manuscripts to be considered for the Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature. The award, which will be given annually to one children’s picture book manuscript, seeks to address the need for more culturally relevant, bilingual reading materials for Hispanic children by encouraging more authors to create for this growing audience.The award will be given annually to one manuscript for a children’s picture book.

 

Manuscripts can be submitted all year long.  Winners will receive a cash award of $5,000 and publication of their book. Each year’s winner will be announced shortly before the publication of the book.

 

Children’s book entries (between 50 and 1,000 words) should be submitted in PDF format online at https://artepublicopress.com/submissions/.

 

Manuscripts can be submitted in English, Spanish or bilingually.  The art and design for award-winning books will be handled exclusively by Arte Público Press.

 

 A bilingual picture book introducing children to the phases of the moon, Luna luminosa, ¿dónde estás? / Luminous Moon, Where Are You?,(ISBN 978-1-55885-911-1, hardcover, $18.95), won the inaugural award. A charming story by Aracely De Alvarado to be published October 31, 2020, it introduces a curious boy who wonders about the missing moon and will appeal to kids ages 4 to 8 who can sing the traditional Spanish song, “Sale la luna,” included in the text and repeat the sounds animals make—in both English and Spanish!

 

The Salinas de Alba Award seeks to further stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that authentically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Latino culture.  Piñata Books has had particular success with its bilingual [Spanish/English] picture books for young readers. Many have been included in recommended reading lists such as the Texas Library Association’s Tejas Star Reading List and the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Commended Titles and others have won national awards such as the Skipping Stones Award, the Paterson Prize for Young Adult Literature and the Pura Belpré Award.

 

The award is named in honor of Hermila Lidia Salinas de Alba (1921-2017), a mother, grandmother and primary schoolteacher who loved children and reading. Born and raised in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Hermila was educated at the Escuela Normal in Saltillo, Coahuila, and taught at a primary school in Piedras Negras. She married Samuel Alba in 1943 and together they raised ten children. In addition to various business ventures in Piedras Negras, they pursued migrant farm work in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho before settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She stressed the importance of education and left a legacy of love and lifelong learning for her nine surviving children, 33 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

La divina Catrina / Oh, Divine Catrina

 

 

By Aracely De Alvarado

Illustrations by Claudia Navarro

 

 

ISBN: 978-1-55885-910-4

Publication Date: October 31, 2020

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Imprint: Piñata Books

 

 

Catrina, a Mexican skeleton, searches for just the right outfit to wear to a Day of the Dead dance in this bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8.

 

 

The Mexican skeleton Catrina has been invited to a Day of the Dead dance, and she’s searching for just the right outfit to wear.

She pulls her Aunt María’s dress from a dusty chest, but it has a stain! There’s a skirt made of fine cloth, but it looks like a dusty old drape. Purple shoes that don’t fit, a pair of pants that are too short and a blouse missing a button—what will she wear? Finally, she finds a dress that’s perfect; in fact, it’s divine! With fancy necklaces, lavish earrings, rusty rings and bracelets galore, Catrina will be the envy of all at the ball! Dare we say, she’ll be dressed to kill!

This bilingual picture book told in verse familiarizes children with the Mexican Catrina, an iconic figure representing death known to many through Day of the Dead celebrations. Claudia Navarro’s richly textured, playful illustrations will enthrall kids ages 4-8 and inspire their creativity in fashioning just the right costume for their own party.

Review

 

“What to wear, what to wear? The age-old lament takes on a different nuance as Catrina la catrina, a fashionista of the skeletal sort, desperately searches through her ancient trunk for an outfit befitting her station. De Alvarado’s tribute to José Guadalupe Posada’s iconic catrina successfully captures the dressing-for-a-party frenzy. However, Navarro’s cocky catrina steals the show. With the perfect touch of the macabre, la divina Catrina expresses consternation and delight as her frantic search for the perfect outfit progresses.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

 

ARACELY DE ALVARADO, a preschool teacher, wrote her first story because she wanted to develop and enrich her students’ vocabulary and language skills. She is the author of Luna luminosa, ¿dónde estás? / Luminous Moon, Where Are You? (Piñata Books, 2020) and Los pingüinos / The Penguins(Palibrio, 2014). Aracely studied artistic design, drawing and oil painting. She is from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and lives in California with her husband.

 

 

CLAUDIA NAVARRO was born in Mexico City and studied graphic design at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Her publications include Kayapó, jíbaros y cashinahua (Nostra Ediciones, 2014), Quiero ser un héroe (Nostra Ediciones, 2019), El viejito del sillón (Ediciones El Naranjo, 2016), El velo de Helena (Ediciones El Naranjo, 2019), La Frontera: El viaje con papá / My Journey with Papá (Barefoot Books, 2018) and El regalo (Pearson Educación, 2013).

Luna luminosa, ¿dónde estás? / Luminous Moon, Where Are You?

 

By Aracely De Alvarado

Illustrations by Victoria Castillo

 

 

ISBN: 978-1-55885-911-1

Publication Date: October 31, 2020

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

 

Juanito wonders where the moon has gone in this bilingual picture book for kids ages 4-8 about the phases of the moon.

 

 

Juanito looked outside one dark night and discovered the moon was nowhere to be seen! Where could it have gone? Is it hiding under the bed or behind a great mountain?

 

He wonders if the coyote took it to his lair, but the wily canine couldn’t catch the slippery moon. “Aaah-ooooooh, aaaah-ooooooh, aaaah-ooooooh,” he cries sadly. Maybe the cicada’s deafening screeches made it disappear! Or did the owl bewitch the luminous moon? Perhaps the frog drowned it in the lagoon! Could the fireflies’ bright lights have hidden its glow? Juanito just doesn’t know!

 

This charming story by Aracely De Alvarado introducing the phases of the moon to children is enlivened by Victoria Castillo’s bright, eye-catching illustrations depicting the nighttime sky and animals in their habitat. Kids ages 4 - 8, and some adults too, will enjoy repeating the sounds animals make—in English and Spanish!

 

 

REVIEW

 

“A boy discovers that the moon is missing from the sky and enlists the help of nighttime animals to find it in this bilingual picture book. The animal sounds used in each character’s response to Juanito’s queries make for perfect read-aloud potential. The dreamlike illustrations depict Juanito as a young Latinx boy with brown skin and straight brown hair. STEM content and a Spanish lullaby pair up for a satisfying bedtime story.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

 

ARACELY DE ALVARADO, a preschool teacher, wrote her first story because she wanted to develop and enrich her students’ vocabulary and language skills. She is the author of La divina Catrina / Oh, Divine Catrina (Piñata Books, 2020) and Los pingüinos / The Penguins (Palibrio, 2014). Aracely studied artistic design, drawing and oil painting. She is from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and lives in California with her husband.

 

VICTORIA CASTILLO is an illustrator, graphic designer, photographer and concept artist. She illustrated The Little Doctor / El doctorcito by Juan J. Guerra (Piñata Books, 2017). She lives and works in Houston, Texas.

 

 

 

Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature

 

Arte Público Press is accepting children’s book manuscripts to be considered for the Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature.  The award seeks to address the need for more culturally relevant, bilingual reading materials for Hispanic children by encouraging more authors to create for this growing audience.  The award will be given annually to one manuscript for a children’s picture book.

 

Manuscripts can be submitted all year long.  Winners will receive a cash award of $5,000 and publication of their book. Each year’s winner will be announced shortly before the publication of the book.

 

Children’s book entries (between 50 and 1,000 words) should be submitted in PDF format online at https://artepublicopress.com/submissions/.

 

Manuscripts can be submitted in English, Spanish or bilingually.  The art and design for award-winning books will be handled exclusively by Arte Público Press.

 

 

 

A bilingual picture book introducing children to the phases of the moon, Luna luminosa, ¿dónde estás? / Luminous Moon, Where Are You?,(ISBN 978-1-55885-911-1, hardcover, $18.95), won the inaugural award. A charming story by Aracely De Alvarado to be published October 31, 2020, it introduces a curious boy who wonders about the missing moon and will appeal to kids ages 4 to 8 who can sing the traditional Spanish song, “Sale la luna,” included in the text and repeat the sounds animals make—in both English and Spanish!

 

The Salinas de Alba Award seeks to further stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that authentically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Latino culture.  Piñata Books has had particular success with its bilingual [Spanish/English] picture books for young readers. Many have been included in recommended reading lists such as the Texas Library Association’s Tejas Star Reading List and the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Commended Titles and others have won national awards such as the Skipping Stones Award, the Paterson Prize for Young Adult Literature and the Pura Belpré Award.

 

The award is named in honor of Hermila Lidia Salinas de Alba (1921-2017), a mother, grandmother and primary schoolteacher who loved children and reading. Born and raised in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Hermila was educated at the Escuela Normal in Saltillo, Coahuila, and taught at a primary school in Piedras Negras. She married Samuel Alba in 1943 and together they raised ten children. In addition to various business ventures in Piedras Negras, they pursued migrant farm work in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho before settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She stressed the importance of education and left a legacy of love and lifelong learning for her nine surviving children, 33 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

 

 

JIMENA PEREZ PUEDE VOLAR / JIMENA PEREZ CAN FLY- Winner of a Skipping Stones Honor Award

http://www.skippingstones.org

 

Jorge Argueta's haunting narrative poem about family separation, JIMENA PEREZ PUEDE VOLAR / JIMENA PEREZ CAN FLY, is the winner of a Skipping Stones Honor Award!

Esther Celis, grandmother and Skipping Stones Board President says:

 

These  are  two  books  in  one,  two  front  pages,  one  in English,  and  the  other  in  Spanish. Each  a  translation  of  the  other,  the same  verse  format  in  both  languages.  It  begins  as  a  thoughtful  and sweet  story  about  Jimena  living  a modest  and  sheltered  life  with  her parents  and  friends  in  El  Salvador. Unfortunately,  gang  members  can threaten  even  young  children  like Jimena  and  her  friends.  Her  parents  decide  she  won’t be  safe;  Jimena  and  her  mother  risk  the  long  journey north  to  reunite  with  family  living  in  the  US.  Jimena describes the trip; we imagine the danger. She is innocent;  we  are  not. We  haven’t  forgotten  the  reports  of children separated at the border from their parents. We haven’t  forgotten  the  thousands  of  Central Americans forced to stay in the Mexican side of the border while applying  for  asylum  in  the  U.S.  Jimena  is  brave,  she keeps  telling  us  her  story,  and  she  keeps  living  despite the cruelty and sadness around her.

 

 

Congratulations to the creators of  all the winner books under the three categories.

To download the reviews of the 2020 Skipping Stones Honor Books  click

http://www.skippingstones.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020.BookAwards.reviews.pdf

From the publisher, Arte Público Press:

 

Ten-year-old Jimena Pérez loves life with her parents in El Salvador. They sell fruit at the market, just like her grandmother and great grandmother did. “Fruits / are a blessing / like you, Jimena,” her mother tells her.

 

But one day a group of boys threaten her friend Rosenda at school. “You know / what will happen / to your family / if you don’t join us.” Jimena’s parents, afraid gangs will try to recruit her too, decide she must go to the United States with her mother. She is excited and fearful, and doesn’t want to leave her father, friends and dog Sultán. “I felt sad / the way fruit looks / when it’s past ripeness.” By bus, train and on foot, mother and daughter make their way north, until one night, bright lights fill the sky and men in green uniforms rip Jimena from her mother.

 

Imprisoned with children from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, Jimena and the others cry for their parents. One boy repeats over and over, “My father’s name is Marcos / He is in Los Angeles.” A box full of books brings her some solace, reminding her of the ones donated to kids at the market in El Salvador. “The letters kiss me / like my mama’s words / like my papa’s words / I am a little bird / Nothing can stop me / I can fly.”

 

In this poignant narrative poem for kids ages 10-15, award-winning Salvadoran poet Jorge Argueta movingly captures the fear that drives so many Central Americans to flee their countries and the anguish created by separating children from their parents at the US border. Putting a human face on the millions of people who flee their homelands each year, this book will help young people understand the difficulties of migration and leaving behind all that is dear.