Category: Bilingual - READING STYLE GUIDE

Mi Papi y yo

5/3/2019

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero ill bi Zeke Peña

The powerhouse duo that created the 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Award winning Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide, are back. Quintero and Peña capture the wonder of childhood, family, and community with this picture book.

Beginning with the cover, readers come along on this joyful ride. Eyes closed, wind-whipped ponytail, hands securely grasping her strong Papi, little unicorn-helmeted Daisy exudes the exhilarating thrill of motorcycle travel. Papi gives his daughter a tender glance as they ride together.

After a long day, Daisy's papi comes home, ready for a sweet daddy/daughter tradition: a trip around the city.
With a loud "vrooooomm" spanning the two-page spread, the twosome is off. Dodging packs of cats and dogs, vooming past markets and churches, they motor past gorgeous murals revealing the city's history and culture. There are echoes of the century-old road races on the Grand Boulevard. Daisy is also living the present: waving to neighbors, family and friends. A stop at her father's construction site, where new homes are replacing citrus groves looks to the future.

Here it is, all of our beautiful city.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle is awash with tender moments and heartfelt nostalgia.

Sensory imagery is an integral part of the narrative. Papi smells like " a hard day at work." His hands feel like "all the love he has the trouble saying."

There are visual treasures to be discovered and savored on each page. The title page features Daisy, holding a unicorn aloft on a toy motorcycle, dreams soaring. Our little protagonist whiles away the hours until her father returns with a Lowriders book. An apt nod to the lowrider culture and specifically the Cathy Camper Raul III series.

I feel Papi's smile as I squeeze my arms tighter around him.

Like Daisy's arms lovingly wrapped around her father, this book is un abrazo fuerte that will linger long after the final page is turned. A book to read, share, and treasure.
Available in Spanish and English language editions. Order both!

More Latino Book Love

Explore more family and culture with these outstanding books by Latinx authors and illustrators.

Lowriders

If you haven't been following the Lowrider series. Get on it!

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 14, 2019 Publisher: Kokila ISBN: 978-0525553410

Lunar New Year

11/29/2018

D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine ill YongSheng Xuan

Originally published in 2006, Compestine’s celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a vibrant compendium of Chinese culture. Presented in an alphabetical format, readers observe youngsters as they prepare for and participate in this annual fifteen-day traditional festival.

Children anticipate New Year by crafting messages on red paper and getting haircuts. Enjoy mouth-watering traditional foods: noodles, oranges, roast duck, and dumplings. Join in the celebrating with kites, lanterns, incense, and firecrackers.

Xuan’s illustrations are replete with gorgeous jewel colors. Soft yellow backgrounds play up the vibrant reds.

He seamlessly blends images across the gutter, skillfully joining two distinct concepts into one image. Objects such as the imposing dragon figure span an entire two-page spread. This creature is magnificent!

The artist includes an interesting note describing the four different calligraphic styles used to denote a dragon. Characters from the Song Dynasty, the Wei dynasty, the Grass style, and the Han dynasty appear in the background. Close study of the illustrations is needed to discover each of the four unique dragon representations.

This updated edition is bilingual. Text accompanying each illustration is presented three ways: English, Mandarin Chinese written using the Latin alphabet, and ideographically with Chinese characters. Trim size has been expanded to a generous 8.5 x 11 inches. This neatly accommodates the expanded dual language format. Readers not familiar with Chinese calligraphy may notice some of the repetitive characters and language patterns visible throughout the text.

This update significantly enhances the original version. In the spirit of the new year, libraries will want to start the New Lunar Year by replacing the well-used and beloved older edition of D is for Dragon Dance with this sparkling masterpiece.

Background

The Chinese New Year 2019 or Lunar New Year will begin on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. This is the Year of the Pig, an animal that represents diligence, kindness, and generosity.
The holiday is observed in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Mauritius, and in countries with a large Chinese community.
A Chinese calendar is not like the Gregorian calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon. The first day of Chinese New Year starts with the new moon. The last day, known as Lantern Festival is celebrated with night lantern displays.

Celebrate the New Year

Additional resources to enrich your Chinese New Year celebration.

Newbery Award-winning author illustrator Grace Lin celebrates the New Year.

Learn to read and write basic Chinese characters with Chineasy created by ShaoLan.

Make delicious dumplings with author and cook Ying Chang Compestine.

Liu Na's graphic novel of her childhood in China.

Copy provided by publisher

Pub date: October 23, 2018 Publisher: Holiday House ISBN: 978-0823440290

On the Border

11/13/2018

“Poetry is the clearest lens for viewing the world.”

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles

This slim poetry collection becomes more relevant with each passing day. They Call Me Güero chronicles the life of twelve-year-old Güero, a Mexican American boy living on the swath of land near the Rio Grande. Although he lives on the American side of the river, his heritage and identity are deeply rooted in Mexico.

He frequently traverses the bridge connecting the two countries. In Mexico he and his father eat breakfast and purchase fresh groceries. Güero's imagination inhabits his grandmother's world filled with chilling tales of mythical monsters.

He possesses distinctive physical characteristics which distinguish him from other members in his community: a light complexion with freckles and a head of bright red hair.

He's a 7th grade student who enjoys sharing books, comics, movies, and gaming with his nerdy friends. He fluidly moves between two countries, navigating crowded middle school hallways and the bustling pulga. He is equally comfortable communicating in Spanish, English, Spanglish, and colloquial Texan. English teacher Mrs. Wong expands his multicultural view of the world, incorporating Aztec, Mayan, Chinese and Korean mythology into the curriculum.

This first person memoir takes shape through multiple poetic forms such as haiku, rhyming couplets, and free verse. "Mis Otros Abuelos" is a concrete poem which narrows as the family crosses the bridge connecting the two countries and expands as the family travels further into the interior of each country.

Bowles handles sensitive topics with a light touch. Racism, stereotypes, immigration are part of Güero's life and are subtly revealed throughout the narrative. This is a boy discovering a world closely connected to his heritage, family, and friends.

Spanish is clearly an important feature in the text. Bowles liberally peppers these verses with Spanish phrases and references to Mexican and Mexican-American culture. A glossary for most of the phrases with pronunciation and the English equivalent enriches the reading experience. This is especially helpful when reading aloud.

The poems can be read as a collective narrative. They also work well as standalone vignettes. Read. Enjoy. Discuss. Share. Repeat.

¡Gracias!

THE REFUGE
ON THE RANCH
It's quiet here except for the hushed flow of the river
and the hum of the bugs answered by the sharp trill of birds
Somewhere, an ocelot growls.

"I know poetry when I hear it.”

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press ISBN: 978-1947627062

In Our Hands

10/8/2018

We’ve Got the Whole world in Our Hands by Rafael López

It begins with a multi-hued ball of string.
How far can it travel?

Follow this string as it sails across seas and continents, through day and night, meets creatures large and small, and into the hands of children throughout the world.

Rafael López interprets this traditional song with his distinctive artistic flair. Using a mixed media approach that incorporates a collage of found objects and cut paper with traditional watercolor and ink techniques as well as digital skills, he creates vibrant illustrations that capture the heart and soul of a world worth singing about.

The spherical motif echoes throughout the pages: sun, moon, snail shell, ball of string, hot air balloon, and ultimately, the planet earth. A celebration of the connections that we all share.
Glorious!

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands features stunning art on every page.

String Along

What can you do with a ball of string? Try your hand at replicating the string game pictured in the book. These instructional videos can help you. Create a Cat’s Cradle with a friend. Jacob’s Ladder requires only one set of hands. However, it’s great fun to gather a couple of friends and create these fascinating string patterns.

Sing Along

López includes a printed copy of the lyrics and music for this well-known spiritual. View these children singing their interpretations of the classic song. Then expand the experience by helping youngsters create their own unique verses and movements. This activity can be adapted for children everywhere.

Bonus

A bilingual English/Spanish edition is also available.

I've got a signed copy in my hands. Gracias Rafael López

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 9, 2018 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338177367

Low and Slow

10/2/2018

Lowriders Blast from the Past
by Cathy Camper ill Raúl the Third

One look at the Lowriders Blast from the Past cover and it is evident that readers of this series are in for a totally different experience.

The first two covers feature dark backgrounds synonymous with outer space and inner earth. Lupe's sweet ride, the modified Chevy Impala, cruises proudly across the cover.

This third book cover features a warm light tone. The signature lowrider automobile has been replaced. This ride is pedal-powered. Equally striking is Lupe Impala. Her distinctive facial feature, her nose, is much smaller and her hair is a mass of short curls.

With this episode Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third take us the back in time. We meet young Lupe, traveling on a bike, similar to her transportation at the beginning of Lowriders in Space.

Initial pages introduce the backstories of the threesome.

Young mechanic Lupe Impala, her Mamá Impala owns of a junk store and Mamá Gazelle creates tissue paper decorations.
Elirio Mararia mosquito, an artist whose father helps him collect words.
El Chavo Flapjack octopus, cleaning expert whose family are talented performers.

The trio encounter Los Matamoscas (The Flyswatters), who destroy Flappy’s bike and deface Elirio’s outdoor murals. The new friends team up repair the damage and then prepare Lupe’s moms’ car for a Lowriders competition. Los Matamoscas impose a series of bizarre rules that will disqualify Impala and Gazelle. The youngsters jump into the fray and triumphantly meet each obstacle. Their car enters and wins the competition. Even better, they enlist the help of their former tormentors and together create a stunning mural.

Clever wordplay sparkles throughout. Flapjack the octopus is taunted by the bullies: "Get a backbone, invertebrate!" Illustrations are replete with Spanish/English humor. Road sign messages read "Neighborhood Watchalo" and "Cash for Kahlo 07-06-1907."

The comic is chock full of Spanish words, phrases, and slang. It is expertly woven into the text, enriching the reader's exposure to Latino culture. Spanish words are noted with an English translation footnote at the bottom of each page. Camper enriches the narrative with the use of indigenous words. Back matter provides details on Indigenous American languages and a glossary of Spanish words and phrases, along with English translations.

Raul the Third is at the top of his game. The art is stunning and includes homages to Mexican American artists Gamboa, Bronk, Herrón, and Valdez. Panels brim with lively personality and intense action. A bonus selection of sketches can be found in the back matter.

This is one time when low and slow is not the way to go. Immediately get your hands on a copy of Lowriders Blast from the Past. It is magnífico!

Riding with Lupe, Elirio, and Flappy

Cruise on down to your local bookstore or library for the first two volumes in the series.

Bonus Discussion: Code Switching

In recent years, however, scholars have found there is sophisticated brain work behind code-switching, or CS, the linguistic term for switching between two languages in one conversation.

A hallmark of this series is the blending of two languages within the text. Spanish idioms and slang add significant value to the story as they authentically and accurately convey ideas and emotions. Historically, there has been some controversy over the use of this form of combining two languages, often referred to as Spanglish. NBC recently published an interesting piece on code switching, Read more here.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 2, 2018 Publisher: Chronicle Books ISBN: 978-1452163154

Dreamers

9/4/2018

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

When I first viewed the illustrations featured in Yuyi Morales picture book Dreamers, I gasped in astonishment. The art was so vibrant, so full of imagination and wonder. As I read the text, tears began to form and softly spill onto my cheeks. Yuyi's story of a young immigrant mother and her child is a story of hopes and dreams, A story of discovery. A story of possibility. A story of love.

The text seamlessly blends English and Spanish, moving between present reality and the opportunities to explore the richness of art and imagination. Yuyi has created a glowing tribute to the power of libraries, books and art. Dreamers everywhere can find inspiration within the pages of books.

Hint: Be sure to look at the cover inside the book's jacket for another perspective of Dreamers.

‘We are two languages. We are lucha. We are resilience. We are hope.’

Bonus

Yuyi describes her first encounters with picture books at the public library.

Yuyi Morales currently resides in Mexico. Learn more about her decision to return to Mexico in this interview.

Review based on uncorrected copy.

Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Neal Porter Books ISBN: 978-0823440559

Reach for the Stars

7/19/2018

Path to the Stars:
My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist
by Sylvia Acevedo

“Is there a badge for you somewhere in the stars? “ my troop leader wondered. ‘Maybe studying space? “

Meet Sylvia Acevedo, daughter of a Papa, Texas chemist originally from Mexico and Mami, a native of Mexico who didn’t speak English. She recalls this story of her birth:

Some of the babies had blond hair. Some had brown hair or no hair at all, and nearly all of them had fair skin. Only one baby had very dark hair. “That was me!”

Acevedo grew up in Las Cruses, New Mexico, surrounded by a close-knit family. Young Sylvia had the desire to learn about her world and the drive to excel in a wide variety of endeavors. She credits the Girl Scouts with helping her learn to set goals and work to achieve them.

From childhood she realized that she had an affinity for numbers and a curiosity to learn how things work. By the age of thirteen, she assumed the responsibility of maintaining the family vehicle, including changing the oil. In junior high school, she opted out of home economics class, choosing instead to take an additional math course. Interestingly, one of the most challenging Girl Scout badges for her to earn was the cooking badge.

I was nine years old, living in a small desert town. And on that day I decided I would go to Stanford someday.

In addition to excelling academically and advancing in Girl Scouts, Sylvia enjoyed basketball. Eventually she reached a point during her college years when she had to make a choice: continue competing on the court or focus her attention on preparing for a career in engineering. She chose engineering. This was a groundbreaking career choice, as engineering was not considered an option for women.

They'd never had a woman engineer, so they didn’t even have a bathroom for women in the test labs.

Sylvia pioneered the work of women in the sphere of science and math. Her achievements resulted in advances in the study of rocket science at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Equally important is the encouragement that her story provides for young girls, particularly for those from under-represented ethnicities and cultures. Her story can be the story for aspiring scientists everywhere.

Introduce middle grade to students to the remarkable Sylvia Acevedo: a girl who had a plan, worked hard and never gave up on her dream. This inspiring memoir belongs in all libraries, classrooms, and organizations which serve young people.

"My parents were proud of me, but now, I knew it was more important that I was proud of myself."

From Brownie to NASA scientist. Still the same winning smile!

There is another hero in this story: Sylvia's amazing mother. She was a woman determined to make life better for her children. Before Sylvia was old enough to attend school, her mother arranged for Sylvia and her brother to learn to read and write English. She also enrolled Sylvia in what was considered at the time to be a questionable program: Head Start. She helped Sylvia obtain a library card, open a savings account, and supported her participation in Girl Scouts. Mami learned to drive a car and made the decision to relocate her family to a neighborhood with more favorable schools. What remarkable women! Both Mami and Sylvia have my admiration and respect.

”'Are you happy?'! And, I finally realized, Mami asked the only question that really mattered."

Bonus

My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist (English edition)
is also available in Spanish:
Camino a las estrellas: Mi recorrido de Girl Scout a ingeniera astronáutica

This autobiography is enhanced with liberal use of personal and family photographs inserted throughout the text. The author's "Note about Girl Scouts Yesterday and Today" provides context.

Companion Reading

Super Women:
Six Scientists Who Changed the World

First Girl Scout:
The Life of Juliette Gordon Low

Hidden Figures:
Young Readers Edition

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 978-1328809568

Brave Little Dove

5/29/2018

Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
by Angela Cervantes

"You’re like a true-blue Fridanista!”

Paloma Marque is spending the month of June in Mexico City. While her mother pursues advanced studies, she can become acquainted with the city, language, and culture of her deceased father. Initially she is reluctant to leave behind her US friends, but she soon becomes captivated with her father’s native city, a handsome boy, the art of Frida Kahlo, and the mysterious disappearance of a jeweled ring.

With the help of two friends, Paloma goes in search of the missing ring. She finds herself caught up in a series of dangerous situations involving some nefarious individuals. Paloma summons up the deductive skills and courage of her favorite fictional detective Lulu Pennywhistle. She plots a strategy to recover the missing ring and return it to its rightful owner.

”Okay,” Paloma said to herself. “I just need to Lulu up and do this.”

Spanish phrases, art history, and Mexican culture are seamlessly woven into the adventure. The narrative often provides context clues, rather than direct English translations for these phrases.

Danger, hidden identities, and a secret system for passing information heighten the suspense. Angela Cervantes includes enough red herrings and plot twists to keep readers guessing. It’s easy be intrigued with this young sleuth’s escapades. Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring is a delicious blend of adventure and mystery. Let's hope that this sassy, savvy young Lantina detective will return with more puzzles to solve and secrets to uncover.

Faces of Frida: "I paint myself"

Frida was famous for her self portraits. She once said she painted self-portraits because she knew berself best.

Paloma is fascinated with the number of Kahlo self-portraits and wonders why the artist chose to use herself as a subject in much of her work.
In response to her daughter's observation, mom points out that these paintings might be considered the equivalent to today's selfies.

A large percentage of Frida's portraits portray her with hair tightly braided and pinned on top of her head. I like the paintings featuring her hair unbound and flowing free. I see her natural unaffected face in these images.

La Casa Azul

Explore La Casa Azul (The Blue House) with a virtual tour The Faces of Frida online collection available via Google Arts & Culture allows visitors to experience a unique perspective into the life and work of Frida Kahlo. It is possible to view a sweeping panorama or to zoom in and examine small details of three spaces from her home in Coyoacán.

View studio, dining room, or garden.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: March 27, 2018 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338159318

Speechless

5/24/2018

Drawn Together by Minh Lê ill Dan Santat

Minh Lê has created a tribute to the miraculous power of art, imagination, and love. Readers meet a young Asian American boy sent to spend time with his grandfather. This is difficult for both because they appear to have little in common. Grandfather speaks only Thai. Grandson speaks only English.

Using a graphic novel format, Dan Santat opens with a series of wordless panels, as the young man is unwillingly deposited on his grandfather's doorstep. Images highlight the contrasting cultures, with wordless panels progressing into panels with separate speech balloons in Thai and English. Things are not going well for either one.
Until...
The boy gives up talking and begins to draw.
Observing what is happening, Grandfather hurries to find his own drawing implements. With his first brush stroke, a new world opens.

The panels explode into full-page spreads as the duo simultaneously create, each in his own style. It is a magical moment, as the two vastly different cultures and styles of art become something than transcends the abilities of each. Tales of wonder fill the paper. Together they create something that is electrifying.

In the process of drawing together, the two form a connection that is able to break down barriers and overcome obstacles.

The narrative is beautiful and satisfying on many levels. It's the story of bridging the divide between cultures and generations. It is also a story of the power of shared creation and exploration.
The story of a willingness to try. A desire to find common ground. A story of love. A story of hope.

Side note: One of the marvelous things about this book is the realization that like the story it relates, it is a testament to the importance of collaboration. The combined efforts of both Lê and Santat produce its powerful impact.

Drawn Together allegory is threefold. The two vastly different styles of art create a new masterpiece. A boy and his grandfather bridge cultures and generations to create a bond of love. An author and an illustrator use their individual talents to create a magnificent picture book.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: June 5, 2018 Publisher: Disney Hyperion ISBN: 978-1484767603

Bookjoy!

4/30/2018

El día de los niños

"Hooray! Today is our day, ¡El día de los niños!"
"¡Viva! Hoy es nuestro día. El día de los niños!"

It's April 30. That means its time to celebrate the joy of sharing books with youngsters. The amazing Pat Mora has developed an annual celebration of books for children everywhere. It is based on the the traditional Mexican holiday, El día delos niño, the celebration the child. Mora expanded on this concept and has developed a festival honoring the joy of books and literacy for children and their families.
Join the celebration!

Looking for resources to help you celebrate? Pat Mora and ALSC have created a booklet packed with ideas to help keep the bookjoy going all year along. Find crafts, games, downloadable posters, ways to involve families and much more.

Try this sample of picture books and middle grade readers.
Bonus: many are bilingual or have both Spanish and English editions.

A day of reading, singing, and dancing call for a grand finale. Cap off the day of festivities with paletas. Frozen treats made with fresh fruit come in a variety of flavors. This recipe uses strawberries and mangoes. But combinations are limited only by one's imagination and available fruit. Easy to make.
Está buenísimo.