Dear Primo, A Letter to My Cousin

Dear Primo, A Letter to My Cousin

Written and Illustrated by: Duncan Tonatiuh

Elementary Grades

**2011 Pura Belpre Honor Book**

"From first-time Mexican author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes the story of two cousins, one in America and one in Mexico, and how their daily lives are different yet similar. Charlie takes the subway to school; Carlitos rides his bike. Charlie plays in fallen leaves; Carlitos plays among the local cacti. Dear Primo covers the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of two very different childhoods, while also emphasizing how alike Charlie and Carlitos are at heart. Spanish words are scattered among the English text, providing a wonderful way to introduce the language and culture of Mexico to young children. Inspired by the ancient art of the Mixtecs and other cultures of Mexico, Tonatiuh incorporates their stylized forms into his own artwork."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://duncantonatiuh.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/dear-primo/

Me, Frida

Me, Frida

Written by: Amy Novesky
Illustrated by: David Diaz

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

**2011 Pura Belpre Honor Book**

"This picture book focuses on the year that Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, spent in San Francisco while he worked on murals for the Pacific Stock Exchange. It was 1930 and Frida was young, newly married, and just beginning her own career as a painter. She had never been out of Mexico and everything about this trip was new and overwhelming. Novesky adeptly tells how Kahlo began to gain her confidence and find her place in the world, using the city and its surroundings as inspiration for her own work. The writing is succinct and careful, and a portrait of Frida as a strong, feisty woman comes through clearly. Diaz's acrylic and charcoal paintings echo Kahlo's own folkloric style, brimming with color and detail, but are unique as well, providing a rich complement to the text."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/fridakahlo/life/index.html

Dream Carver

Dream Carver

Written by: Diana Cohn
Illustrated by: Amy Cordova

Elementary Grades

"Inspired by the life of renowned Oaxacan woodcarver Manuel Jimenez, newcomer Cohn and Cordova (My Land Sings) tell of Mateo, a young woodcarver who bravely breaks with a generations-old artistic tradition. The subsistence farmers of the boy's village are known for their juguetes, tiny carvings of wooden animals so small they could fit in the palm of a hand, carved by men and boys, and painted in fiesta-bright colors by women and girls. But Mateo dreams of carving life-size animals, with surfaces that tingle with vibrant, improbable colors and surreal patterns. I see animals so big and bright that I will need to carve them with a machete! he tells his disapproving father. When Mateo ultimately produces a glorious wooden menagerie including a quetzal with majestic feathers he wins over not only Papa, but the entire village, and a new way of carving is born."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.dreamcarver.org/dreamcarver.php

Opuestos: Mexican Folk Art Opposites in English and Spanish

Opuestos: Mexican Folk Art Opposites in English and Spanish

Written by: Cynthia Weill

Illustrated by: Martín Santiago, and Quirino Santiago

Elementary Grades

"Oaxacan folk art in the form of hand-carved wood sculptures abounds in this bilingual concept book about opposites. Contrasting concepts include inside and outside, high and low, and left and right, to name a few. At the turn of each page, readers see brightly painted wood characters set against equally vibrantly colored background pages that effortlessly convey the concept the author sets out to teach. On each spread, the English and Spanish words for a single concept face the opposing concept. This attractive volume conveys the concept in a unique and inviting fashion and provides youngsters with an introduction to some Mexican art in the process."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.cincopuntos.com/teacher_resources.sstg
http://maisonceleste.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/932/

ABeCedarios: Mexican Folk Art ABCs in English and Spanish

ABeCedarios: Mexican Folk Art ABCs in English and Spanish

Written by: Cynthia Weill
Illustrated by: Moisés Jiménez, Armando Jiménez, K.B. Basseches (Photographer)

Elementary Grades

"Every ABC book worth its cover price is bound to have bright colors and big letters. But not every ABC book has magical hand-carved animals to illustrate every letter. And very few alphabet books present those letters in more varieties than English! Very few alphabet books except the ABeCedarios, that is! In this brightly colored book, the alphabet is presented in both Spanish and English, and includes the four additional letters—and whimsical animals—that make the Spanish alphabet so much fun.

The famous folk artists, brothers Moisés and Armando Jiménez, carved the wonderful animal figures that illustrate each letter in ABeCedarios. Working with their wives and children in the beautiful village of Arrazola in Oaxaca, Mexico, they carved and painted each enchanting animal by hand. For many centuries, people in Oaxaca have carved wood to make toys and household objects. However, it was Moisés and Armando’s grandfather Manuel who started making animal figures. Now more than sixty families in Arrazola make their living from wood carving."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.cincopuntos.com/teacher_resources.sstg
http://maisonceleste.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/932/

Salsa Stories

Salsa Stories

Written by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"This compilation of stories provides excellent insight into a variety of Latin American cultures and traditions. Characters come from places as diverse as Argentina, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru, and Mexico in this entertaining reverie of family traditions and the good old days."

Críticas Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.luludelacre.com/

Saturday Market

Saturday Market

Written by: Patricia Grossman
Illustrated by: Enrique O. Sanchez

Elementary Grades

"This well-designed book successfully combines text and vibrant artwork to portray the cultural richness of the Zapotec people and bring to life a Saturday market in a town in Oaxaca, Mexico. The story is simply written in carefully crafted words that effectively capture the spirit of the vendors."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.kidseconposters.com/keb/Title%20List%20Poster%20Set%20B/Market/Saturday%20Market.htm

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Written and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola

Elementary Grades

"In this legend from Mexico, a little girl, Lucinda, is proud to help her mother weave a new blanket for the Baby Jesus to be used in a Christmas procession. But when Lucinda's mother takes ill, Lucinda tangles the yarn and is unable to complete the blanket. Feeling she has ruined Christmas, Lucinda is reluctant to go to the procession until a mysterious old woman appears from the shadows and tells Lucinda, "Any gift is beautiful because it is given. Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love because it comes from you." Nervously, Lucinda grabs an armful of weeds, which she brings into the church. As she prays, the weeds open into dazzling red flowers that decorate the altar."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=67

The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story

The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story

Written by: Rudolpho Anaya
Illustrated by: Amy Cordova

Elementary Grades

"The First Tortilla is a moving, bilingual story of courage and discovery. A small Mexican village is near starvation. There is no rain, and the bean and squash plants are dying. Jade, a young village girl, is told by a blue hummingbird to take a gift to the Mountain Spirit. Then it will send the needed rain. Burning lava threatens her, but Jade reaches the top of the volcano. The Mountain Spirit is pleased. It allows the ants in a nearby cave to share their corn with Jade. The corn was sweet and delicious and Jade took some back to save the village. Jade grinds the dry corn, adds water, and makes dough. She pats the masa and places it on hot stones near the fire. She has made the first tortilla. Soon the making of corn tortillas spreads throughout Mexico and beyond."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=3&bookID=00000718

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines

Written by: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Beatriz Vidal

Elementary Grades

"This attractive picture-book biography introduces Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz--Mexican child prodigy turned renowned seventeenth-century scholar and poet. After teaching herself to read at age three, Juana Ines studied at the university in Mexico City and then at the viceroy's palace, where she earned a national reputation for her vast knowledge. Finally, she became a nun, devoting her life to poetry and study. Children will enjoy Mora's inspiring, anecdote-filled account of a Latin American woman who loved learning during a time when few women were educated."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.patmora.com/book_pages/sorjuana.htm

Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon

Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon

Written by: Susanna Reich
Illustrated by: Raul Colon

Elementary Grades

"This picture-book biography tells the story of Jose Limon, who became a legendary figure in the history of American dance. Reich punctuates the scenes of Limon's childhood in Mexico with sensory details, especially sounds: the "TRILLIA-WEET! TRILLIA-WEET!" of his grandmother's canary singing; the clicking heels of flamenco dancers; the cries of "Ole! Ole! Ole!" at the bullfight; and his mama's bedtime lullaby: "SORA-SORA-SO, SORA-SO." Later, Reich shows how the rhythmic sounds from Limon's childhood became inspirations for movements expressed in his dance.

When civil war in Mexico leads to fighting in the streets of their town, Linon's family flees to the U.S. In elementary school, laughter at his poor English fires his determination to succeed. As an adult, he moves to New York City, discovers his passion for dance, and works hard to become a dancer and choreographer. Sensitively written and beautifully illustrated, this picture book offers a soaring portrayal of achievement."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.susannareich.com/

El Juego de la Loteria

El Juego de la Loteria

Elementary Grades

Written and Illustrated by: Rene Colato Lainez and Jill Arena

"A young boy is going to Mexico to visit his grandmother, and he is concerned. After all, she speaks very little English, and his Spanish is vestigial. His mother assures him that all will be well and that he will come home speaking Spanish. His insecurities begin to vanish when he discovers his grandmother's job. She is a canta in a lotería booth, a game similar to Bingo. However, in place of numbers, there are cards with pictures on them, matching the pictures on the board. His grandmother calls out a rhyme that corresponds to each picture, and the boy is caught. He wants to know those rhymes. His grandmother is only too happy to teach him, but only if he will teach her English. The prose flows easily in both English and Spanish."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loter%C3%ADa

The Days of the Dead (Los Dias de Muertos): Mexico's Festival of Communion with the Departed (un Festival de Comunion con los Muertos en Mexico)

The Days of the Dead (Los Dias de Muertos): Mexico's Festival of Communion with the Departed (un Festival de Comunion con los Muertos en Mexico)

Written by: John Greenleigh

Junior High and High School Grades

"This book offers a remarkable look at Mexico's traditional holiday honoring departed ancestors, friends, and family. Each aspect of the multiday festival is carefully explored: the journey to the cemeteries to spruce up neglected gravesites, the lively marketplace selling breads and candies in the shapes of skulls and skeletons, the peaceful vigil as friends and families crowd the cemeteries to await the arrival of their loved ones through the long night.

San Francisco-based photographer John Greenleigh traveled to small towns in Mexico in four different years to document this extraordinary festival. Accompanied by evocative text by cultural scholar Rosalind Rosoff Beimler, the pictures speak eloquently to a ritual that is at once mocking and respectful of death---and ultimately affirming of human life."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://latino.si.edu/DayoftheDead/

Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond

Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond

Written by: Stanley Brandes

Junior High and High School Grades

"Each October, as the Day of the Dead draws near, Mexican markets overflow with decorated breads, fanciful paper cutouts, and whimsical toy skulls and skeletons. To honor deceased relatives, Mexicans decorate graves and erect home altars. Drawing on a rich array of historical and ethnographic evidence, this volume reveals the origin and changing character of this celebrated holiday. It explores the emergence of the Day of the Dead as a symbol of Mexican and Mexican-American national identity.

Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead poses a serious challenge to the widespread stereotype of the morbid Mexican, unafraid of death, and obsessed with dying. In fact, the Day of the Dead, as shown here, is a powerful affirmation of life and creativity. Beautifully illustrated, this book is essential for anyone interested in Mexican culture, art, and folklore, as well as contemporary globalization and identity formation."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://latino.si.edu/DayoftheDead/

The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico

The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico

Written by: Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloe Sayer

Junior High and High School Grades

"All over Mexico, early in November, families gather to welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. The smells of burning copal incense and pungent cempasúchil (marigolds) mingle with the aromas of fresh bread, new clothing, sweets, and candles. One of Mexico's most important festivals since prehispanic times, the Day of the Dead is an occasion for celebrating and feasting, cleaning and decorating graves, dancing and making music. In this unique work, the authors explore both the historic origins of this holiday and its colorful present-day celebrations in Mexico and the United States. Interviews with Mexican artists and crafters who provide goods for the festival--from personalized sugar skulls to gigantic papier-mâché skeletons--offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional and contemporary attitudes toward death and the dead. Lavishly illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs, The Skeleton at the Feast will be required reading for all who are interested in Mexican culture, art, and folklore."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://latino.si.edu/DayoftheDead/

Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book

Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book

Written and Illustrated by: Jeanette Winter

Elementary Grades

"Every year Don Pedro and his family make papier-mache skeletons, or calaveras, for Mexico's Day of the Dead fiesta. From Angel and Doctor to Mariachi and Unicornio, each letter of the alphabet has its own special calavera.

Come dance with them in this unusual ABC book inspired by a real Mexican family of artists and the many colorful folk-art traditions surrounding the celebration of the Day of the Dead.

Includes a glossary of Spanish words and an author's note."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-education.html

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration

Written and Illustrated by: Richard Keep

Elementary Grades

"A Day of the Dead Celebration by Richard Keep honors both the memorial and festive aspects of this Mexican holiday. Cut-paper collages, accented with paints and markers show impeccably dressed skeletons feasting and chasing butterflies as night falls. "Swirl-twirl/ Cha-cha-cha/ Boom!/ Clatter Bash!" appears beneath a spread of fireworks exploding over bony dancers and sombrero-clad skeletons playing music. A more formal explanation of the holiday's traditions concludes the fiesta-bright volume."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-education.html

Armando and the Blue Tarp School

Armando and the Blue Tarp School

Written by: Edith Hope Fine & Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Illustrated by: Hernan Sosa

Elementary Grades

"This poignant picture book narrated by a young boy is based on a true story of a New York City teacher who set up a school on a blue tarp spread on the ground near a garbage dump in Tijuana, Mexico. Armando works all day with his father in the foul-smelling dump, picking through trash, "some to sell, some to use." He begs his parents to let him go to the blue tarp school, and at last, his parents allow him to attend in the afternoons. Clear, unframed, double-page pictures in watercolor and ink with thick white outlines show the children on the tarp in the midst of the noisy colonia (neighborhood) and also the bond between the boy and his teacher.

When a huge fire burns the neighborhood, Armando's picture of the fiery night is printed alongside the story in the newspaper, and people send money to build a real schoolhouse. A lengthy final note fills in the facts and includes photos of the teacher and the pupils at the school now. Without melodrama, Armando's story shows what poverty means and the hope that things can change."

BOOKLIST

Web Resources

http://www.bluetarpschool.com/

Clara & Senor Frog

Clara and Senor Frog

Written by: Campbell Geeslin
Illustrated by: Ryan Sanchez

Elementary Grades

"Sawed in half? Rabbits pulled from hats? These are tricks, just magic tricks, and Clara knows them all. But on a visit to a rich gringo's house, she spots a picture of a watermelon, done by a famous artist. The painted fly on it looks so real, Clara swears she saw it move. At last, real magic! Soon Clara discovers her own artistic abilities and she paints as if from a dream orange cats with silver wings and shells that open up like flowers. This beautiful, original story is peppered with Spanish words, features a character reminiscent of Diego Rivera, and vibrant illustrations that evoke the essence of Mexican art."

Publishers Description

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition

Written by: Jewell Reinhart Coburn
Illustrated by: Connie McLennon

Elementary Grades

"Domitila is not only "sweeter than a cactus bloom in early spring," she is also a talented cook and an amazing leather artist. most of the classical elements of a Cinderella story can be found in Domitila. A gentle weaving of her mother's nurturing with strong family traditions is the secret ingredient for Domitila to rise above hardship to eventually become the Governor's bride. Moreover, with a firm belief in simplicity and realism, Domitila makes a lasting impression as a triumphant Cinderella in her humility, service, and unassuming modesty.

Unlike most ivory tower Cinderellas, the only transformation in this story is Timoteo's—Domitila's suitor—as we watch him mature from an arrogant politician's son to a compassionate family man. There is no glass slipper to fight over, and no fairy godmother to save the day. All Domitila has are her innate qualities and her family legacy. Finally, the readers are invited to get to know Cinderella for who she is, unlike the typical fantasy character!"

Publishers Synopsis