Go to book: Fuzz McFlops | ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market | Mexican Kids Songs and Rhymes | La Llorona | Waiting for the Biblioburro | Drum, Chavi, Drum! | Floating on Mama’s Song | The Caiman | ¡Pío Peep! |
The Lizard and the Sun | Songs from a Journey with a Parrot | And So It Goes | Lilus Kikus and Other Stories
This whimsical tale is written and illustrated by Italian-Brazilian writer Eva Furnari. Although this story comes from Brazil, it has universal appeal for children all over the world. Furnari’s surrealist illustrations are inspired by the way children draw, free of artistic molds and full of humor. Through her use of bright colors and unconventional lines, her drawings capture the emotion of her cast of quirky characters. Fuzz McFlops also has pages that are styled like letters written on vibrant stationery, old user manuals, prescription letters, telegrams, music sheets, and framed portraits, which adds a nice touch to the story.
Join Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe as they visit a busy, border town market, firstly, to deliver many much-needed supplies to vendors, and secondly, to gather their own special treats, traded items, and once in a lifetime experience! While accompanying Little Lobo and Bernabe to the market, the reader is met with brilliant, comic book style illustrations paired with Spanish vocabulary and phrases, some that are translated, others’ that are translated in the glossary at the end of the book. Written, illustrated, and translated by Raúl the Third and vividly colored by Elaine Bay, ¡Vamos! offers a bilingual adventure through a vibrant, colorful, town marketplace while introducing simple Spanish words and phrases to the reader in an i-Spy meets Richard Scarry’s Busytown type of way.
In this book, readers will find 82 songs and rhymes, in Spanish with English translations. Compiled by Mama Lisa (i.e., writer Lisa Yannucci) and countless other contributors to share in the tradition, culture, and history of children’s songs, rhymes, lullabies, and games popular in Mexico, the book has much to offer to readers of all ages—from children to adults.
New Mexican legend Rudolfo Anaya has brought an ancient Mexican tale to life with his adaptation of La Llorona. Many cultures in Latin America have a version of La Llorona that they tell their children as a way to teach respect and deference. However, Anaya’s version is rooted in Aztec legend and deviates from original stories with magical elements. The story opens with the birth of Maya, a child of the sun who will live forever. Her existence threatens the god, Señor Tiempo (father time), as everyone must age and die. A local chief priest warns Maya’s family, and they hide her away in the jungle near a volcano. Maya spends her time weaving baskets from corn husks and making friends with the animals.
Waiting for the Biblioburro, written by Monica Brown and illustrated by John Parra, is a magical story about a young girl’s search for literacy in a remote village near La Gloria, Colombia. After her teacher moves away, Ana reads the same book until its words are etched in her memory. She makes up stories of her own to lull her little brother to sleep at night. Then, one day, an unexpected visitor rides into town on two donkeys. This man is a bibliotecario, a librarian who travels with books strapped to his donkey friends, Beto and Alfa. Tantos cuentos! So many stories! Ana’s world opens up just a little wider when the librarian clippity-clops into town with Alfa, Beto, and dozens of books.
Cuban author, Mayra Lazara Dole challenges gender roles in her picture book Drum, Chavi, Drum! Chavi was born to be a drummer, if only the people of her town would allow her to play in the Calle Ocho Festival. In particular, the music teacher Mr. Gonzales tells Chavi that only boys should play drums. This does not deter Chavi, and she continues to tippy-tap-chicky-chack on any surface she can find. On the day of the Calle Ocho Festival, Chavi and her best friend Rosario dress up in masks and hats to attend.
Laura Lacámara’s story Floating on Mama’s Song is a testament to the power music has on happiness. When Anita turns seven, her life is upended when her mother’s songs start to make people and animals float in the air. Afraid someone will get hurt, or neighbors will begin gossiping, grandma begs Anita’s mother to stop singing. In an attempt to keep everyone safe, Anita’s mother gives up her love of singing.
