Niño Wrestles the World

Niño Wrestles the World
Yuyi Morales
2013

What can I say about this book that has not already been beautifully said? Niño, a little boy with a big imagination, dons the mask of a luchador and battles figures from Mexican folklore. Absolutely beautiful! It is incredibly difficult to find books for children on luchadores, La Llorona, El Chamuco, and the other figures in the book. Most of the books you find that cover these topics are folklore collections for older readers. This book introduces beliefs from the Mexican culture in a way children can enjoy. I love the ending where the little sisters prove to be much more of a challenge than any of the folkloric figures. The illustrations and the presentation (“Señoras y Señores,… now accepting ALL COMERS…,” etc) go perfectly together. I love everything about this book, including the luchador profiles at the beginning and end, and note at the back of the book that explains the history of Mexican luchadores. It was my belief that El Santo did make his identity known during his lifetime, although I may be wrong about that. An absolutely amazing book, a recommended purchase, and one that will have a place on my personal library shelf.

Paws Books 2015

There are always so many awesome book lists that come out every year, along with awards and other forms of recognition for books. I wanted to create a list of books that I thought were really incredible, my favorite for the year. These books get the "Paws" sticker just for fun.

The first is Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison. This is my favorite picture book of 2015 and easily now one of my most favorite picture books. I loved it so much I bought a copy for myself, to share with anyone who will make time. Jane is a little dog whose family make up part of a circus. They all have special talents, and although Jane tries to find something she excels at, she is not very successful. The owner of the circus,  however, sees many beautiful qualities in Jane: she is loyal, a good friend, hard working. She is a good dog, and that is enough. This book always brings tears to my eyes and makes my heart knot up.

The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau. Everything about this book, from the language to the cover and layout, is magical. Please view  my full review at School Library Journal.

The Finishing School Series by Gail Carriger. This series finished up last year with Manners & Mutiny, and it is one of my most favorites. An alternate Victorian London, steampunk technology, spy academies, a quirky protagonist named Sophronia and her lovable mechanimal Bumbersnoot, and wit and cleverness are all part of this series. Highly recommended, especially for those who have read the Enola Holmes series and the Incorrigible Children series and loved them.

   

I am constantly looking for graphic novels my nieces would love, and these two are some of my absolute favorite from last year. Baba Yaga's Assistant is full of life and folklore, with beautiful artwork by Emily Carroll, who released Through the Woods in 2014. This graphic novel is perfect for fans of folklore and legends. Roller Girl, winner of the 2016 Newbery Honor, is bright and colorful and full of life. Astrid navigates the beginning of her life in roller derby as well as middle school, she finds herself growing apart from her best friend. A very fast and interesting read which (hopefully) will have a sequel! 

Another great 2015 graphic novel is Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm which, like Roller Girl, deals with problems children and teen face with humor and strength.

If I was choosing books for awards, these would definitely receive a Paws label.

SLJ's Top 10 Latino-themed Books of 2013

School Library Journal has a list of their Top 10 Latino-themed books for 2013.

These books are all so great, I especially want to read Niño Wrestles the World and Yes! We Are Latinos.

Check out the full list here: http://www.slj.com/2013/12/reviews/best-of/sljs-top-10-latino-themed-books-of-2013/#_

Mexico ABCs

Mexico ABCs

A Book About the People and Places of Mexico

Sarah Heiman

Illustrated by Todd Ouren

2003

This book offers much more than an alphabet of Mexico. Included are facts about the words that make up the alphabet, as well as quick facts about Mexico. You will learn about the history, traditions, foods, and animals that help make up Mexico. Colorful illustrations decorate the pages, and each Spanish word is followed by a guide to help you say it yourself. The book ends with instructions on how to make crepe-paper flowers. This is a must read for everyone – by the time you finish reading this book, you will have gained a small fortune in knowledge about Mexico.

Round is a Tortilla: a Book of Shapes

Round is a Tortilla: a Book of Shapes

Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Illustrated by John Parra

2013

Round is a Tortilla is a perfect book for reading quietly or out loud. The text rhymes wonderfully and it flows smoothly from one sentence to the next. We visit a beautiful neighborhood, a bedroom, a plaza, a park, and we eat delicious tortillas, quesadillas, paletas, and sandia, all while learning about different shapes. The illustrations and the words go together beautifully; the wonderful colors add to the vibrant culture in the pages as we see mariachis, dogs, cats, and a beautiful scene with a young girl and boy in traditional dress dancing around a sombrero. You can almost hear the music coming from the trumpets!

And, if you enjoy this book, check out Ms. Thong's book Round is a Mooncake, illustrated by Grace Lin.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I've decided make this post on September 15th. I hope that this will become a hearty blog full of recommendations and reviews of Hispanic literature.

I'd like to start off with one of my most favorite books: The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales. Reading this book, and her previous book, Orange Candy Slices and Other Secret Tales, was like stepping into my own past. Sofia's family, her relationships with them and her fears and concerns for her future, are all things that I can heavily relate to. The descriptions - everything from the cascarones to the sugar skulls to the relationship between Sofia and her father - are written beautifully.

The climax and ending of this book caught me completely by surprise. Reading the beginning I could not imagine what would happen, I never would have thought it. But then, life is this way sometimes. This is a very heartbreaking book that you will not easily get over, but with a beautiful message of hope and endurance. I can see why it won the Pura Belpre award; I only wish Viola Canales would write another. 

Further: Scholastic.com