Books for Hispanic Heritage Month

Oralia Garza de Cortés -- Críticas, 8/1/2005

It is a joy to prepare for Hispanic Heritage Month this September knowing that there are plenty of Spanish-language and bilingual titles to honor the breadth of culture and experience included in what it means to be Hispanic.

Some of the titles in this select bibliography touch history, offering ageless pre-colonial folktales and biographies of Hispanic heroes such as Mexican scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and Latino labor leader César Chávez. Other books provide realistic accounts of the immigrant experience, from how a child adapts to life in the States in Margarita Robleda’s Paco: Un niño latino en Estados Unidos (Paco: A Latin Boy in the U.S.), to how a young boy deals with returning to Mexico in René Colato’s Playing Lotería/El juego de la lotería. Young readers and teachers will also be delighted with a few symbolic representations of home and culture, including Georgina Lazáro’s El flamboyán amarillo (The Yellow Flame Tree) and the re-edition of Carmen Lomas Garza’s Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia.

Being a Hispanic reader or author does not mean being limited to ethnic issues or Latin American history, however. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. publishers like Groundwood Books and Lectorum Publications, a series of 19th- and early 20th-century Latin American classics that cross all racial boundaries are now available in the States for a new generation of readers. From Cuban liberator José Martí’s verses on childhood and love to Horacio Quiroga’s jungle life tales, these U.S. editions stand out for their handsome new illustrations and presentation.

Precisely because they are so varied in terms of the cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds, and time periods that they represent, the books in this list will not only speak to Hispanics, but to readers from all cultures. After all, the languages and cultural experiences that define what it means to be Hispanic are, more and more, becoming part of the American mainstream. Think of these books as a heart-shaped literary mosaic, or as Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú puts it, as a delicious “vaso de miel” (“glass full of honey”).

PS-GR2 FICTION

Burr, Claudia & Rebeca Orozco.
Doña Josefa y sus conspiraciones.
(Mrs. Josefa and Her Conspiracies)
Mexico: Ediciones TECOLOTE, dist. by Mariuccia Iaconi Book Imports. 2000. ISBN 968-7381-29-9. pap. $3.95.

Gr 2-5–This brief, yet subtle first-person biography brings one of the few heroines of the Mexican war of independence to life. Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, the wife of the mayor of Querétaro, was responsible for sparking Mexico’s cry of independence. Colorful images featuring traditional iconography and delightful collage illustrations portray Doña Josefa as a flesh-and-blood heroine, rather than the stern and angry magistrate that has been immortalized on the Mexican five-peso bill.

Lázaro, Georgina.
El flamboyán amarillo.
(The Yellow Flame Tree)
illus. by Lulu Delacre. U.S.: Lectorum Pub. 2004. 32p. ISBN 1-930332-55-6. $13.99.

PreS-3–This lovely story, written in verse by one of Puerto Rico’s most renowned poets, tells how a young boy, moved by his mother’s deep affinity for a yellow flamboyán tree, brings home some of the tree’s beauty in the form of a seed. As the tree grows, the boy discovers the miracle of creation, and when the tree finally blooms, it brings a beautiful surprise. Delacre’s simple yet elegant illustrations bring the Caribbean to life. Accompanying author and illustrator notes provide further information about the flamboyán.

Quiroga, Horacio.
Las medias de los Flamencos.
(The Flamingos’ Stockings)
illus. by Osvaldo Jalil. Japan: Shinseken. 2001. 22p. ISBN 4-88012-419-2. $11.50.

PreS-3–The snakes have invited every animal to a huge party in the jungle. The flamingos are excited, but they don’t have much to wear. Jealous of the coral snakes’ stunning red-striped skin, they figure out a way to concoct fabulous imitation stockings. This etiological tale from Quiroga’s 1918 classic Cuentos de la selva (Jungle Stories) revolves around where the stockings come from and how the coral snakes deal with a just punishment. Dramatic woodcuts convey a sense of the mystery of jungle life.

GR3–5 FICTION

Joseph, Lynn.
El color de mis palabras.
(The Color of My Words)
tr. by Alberto Jiménez Rioja. U.S.: Lectorum Pub. 2004. 107p. ISBN 1-930332-75-0. pap. $5.99.

Gr 3-5–Twelve-year-old Ana Rosa sits atop the cherished gri-gri tree and absorbs Dominican life in all its richness. She filches little bits of paper to write her poems, wishing to one day become a recognized writer, a dangerous profession in a country ruled by a repressive dictatorship. Lynn captures Dominican culture—dancing the merengue, eating huge plates of rice pudding, etc.—as well as a young girl’s ability to overcome the feelings of pain and loss resulting from growing up under an authoritarian regime.

Lau Carling, Amelia.
Alfombras de aserrín.
(Sawdust Carpets)
illus. by author. Canada/U.S.: Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2005. unpaged. glossary. ISBN 0-8899-624-1. $16.95.

Gr 4-6–A young Chinese immigrant living in Guatemala participates in the traditional making of sawdust carpets in preparation for Holy Week, but is perplexed to find out that they will be destroyed during the religious procession. Single-handedly, the girl decides to stop their demise. Blending acrylics, crayon, and watercolors, Lau Carling’s illustrations aptly depict the interaction between Chinese and Guatemalan cultures and traditions. Search the Críticas database for a full review.

Machado, Ana María.
De carta en carta.
(From Letter to Letter)
illus. by Rita Basulto. Mexico/U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana. 2004. 42p. ISBN 968-19-1483-X. pap. $7.95.

Gr 3-5–A young illiterate boy who dislikes school is so angered by his grandfather’s chronic nagging that he seeks the help of a public scribe to express his sentiments. The letter-writing campaign that ensues becomes a learning process as the scribe uses it to teach the boy, not only the mechanics of letter writing and composition, but also the cultural value of respecting the elders. By the renowned Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner from Brazil.

Robleda, Margarita.
Paco: Un niño latino en Estados Unidos.
(Paco: A Latin Boy in the United States)
ISBN 1-59437-558-5.
María: Una niña latina en Estados Unidos.
(Maria: A Latin Girl in the United States)
ISBN 1-59437-557-7.
ea. vol.: illus. by Danilo Ramírez. U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana. 2005. 36p. pap. $10.95.

Gr 4-6–In writing their autobiographies for a school assignment, Paco and María express their feelings and observations about cultural and social differences that they notice in the two cultures that surround them. Paco, a recent immigrant from Mexico, compares what he sees and hears about his native country with the rich history and tradition that he learned at school there, and with the common refranes and dichos (sayings and proverbs) of his people. María, on the other hand, born in the United States of Mexican parents, explores how her Latino heritage flavors her self-esteem, aspirations, and dreams as she grows up. An attractive layout mimics a spiral-notebook diary, including photos and other mementos. Search the Críticas database for a full review.

YA FICTION

Bencastro, Mario.
Viaje a la tierra del abuelo.
(A Trip to Grandpa’s Land)
U.S.: Piñata Books: Público Pr. 2004. 144p. ISBN 1-55885-404-5. pap. $9.95.

YA–Sixteen-year-old Sergio is as concerned by the overcrowding and political quandaries of his Los Angeles high school as he is by his duty to fulfill his grandfather’s death bed wish of being buried in his native El Salvador. The boy’s struggle to honor his mentor takes him on a dangerous mission, fraught with unexpected disasters. But his journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration will enrich the rest of his life. Buencastro writes in a Salvadorian Spanish, using the vos when speaking in the familiar verb tense.

NONFICTION

Ada, Alma Flor & F. Isabel Campoy.
En alas del cóndor.
(On the Wings of the Condor)
illus. by various. U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana (Puertas al Sol). 2004. 48p. ISBN 1-58105-812-8. pap. $13.95.

Gr 1-3–A condor’s panoramic journey across the Americas reveals the region’s diverse flora and fauna. Children will get a sense of their ancestors’ use of natural resources in developing medicine and harvesting techniques and in building cities. The book also introduces foods and words that originated in indigenous communities and connects accomplishments of the past and modern life. Artwork by three distinguished Mexican artists complements the inspiring text.

Belpré, Pura.
Pérez y Martina: Un cuento folklórico puertorriqueño.
(Perez and Martina: A Puerto Rican Folktale)
illus. by Carlos Sánchez. U.S.: Viking Children’s Pr. 1991. 62p. ISBN 0-670-84167-6. $23.95.

PreS-3–The first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, renowned storyteller Belpré wrote this Puerto Rican folktale in 1961. Coquettish cockroach Martina rejects a string of suitors until she meets Pérez, an elegant mouse whose lovely squeaking voice she knows she can tolerate forever. A tragic turn sets this story apart from the happily-ever-after endings of most folktales. Vibrantly colored illustrations convey the grace and elegance of the animal characters.

Krull, Kathleen.
Cosechando esperanza: La historia de César Chávez.
(Harvesting Hope: The Story of César Chávez)
tr. by F. Isabel Campoy & Alma Flor Ada. illus. by Yuyi Morales. U.S.: Libros Viajeros: Harcourt. 2004. unpaged. ISBN 0-15-205169-4. pap. $7.

Gr 2-4–Chávez’s humble beginnings in Arizona, including his struggle to learn amid the discrimination against Mexican Americans at the time, are the focus of this picture book biography. The book explores Chávez’s sense of humility and his determination to change the lives of farm workers in a peaceful manner. Morales’s full-page illustrations are warm and engaging and further enhance the reader’s understanding of the life and accomplishments of this great Hispanic civil rights leader.

Lee, Claudia, ed.
Mandaderos de la lluvia y otros poemas de América Latina.
(Messengers of the Rain and Other Poems from Latin America)
illus. by Rafael Yockteng. Canada/U.S. Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2002. 80p. ISBN 0-88899-471-0. $18.95.

Gr 1-5–Sparse, yet lovely pastel watercolor and pencil illustrations adorn the pages of this poetry anthology. The book gathers well-known poems for children by such Latin American classics as Ruben Darío, Pablo Neruda, Gabriela Mistral, Rafael Pombo, and María Elena Walsh. Brief bios provide the major poetic works of each author. The book also includes an author and title cross-index.

Martí, José.
Los zapaticos de rosa.
(The Pink Shoes)
illus. by Lulu Delacre. U.S.: Lectorum Pub. 1997. 32p. ISBN 1-880507-33-1. $11.95.

Gr 1-4–First published in New York in 1889, this literary jewel in verse captures the beauty of childhood innocence as well as love’s power to transcend age and class. Delacre’s use of pastel colors recalls Homer Winslow’s seascape paintings, which inspired Martí to write this book.

Menchú, Rigoberta & Dante Liano.
El vaso de miel.
(The Glass of Honey)
illus. by Helman Tebalán. Mexico/U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana. 2003. 96p. ISBN 970-29-0985-6. pap. $13.95.

Gr 3-5–Abuela Luna (Grandmother Moon) and Abuelo Sol (Grandfather Sun) recount 11 creation myths and pourquoi stories in the colloquial dialect of the Yucatan Peninsula. Some stories recall the sacred Mayan book, Popol-Vuh, while others are rooted in indigenous customs still practiced by locals. Interspersed with colorful illustrations that spark curiosity and authenticate the richness of Mayan culture, these stories are as sweet as pure honey. Search the Críticas database for a full review.

Menchú, Rigoberta & Dante Liano.
Li Mi’n, una niña de Chimel.
(Li Mi’n, A Girl From Chimel)
illus. by Alejo Azurdia. Mexico/U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana. 2003. 60p. ISBN 970-29-1055-2. pap. $13.50.

Gr 3-5–Nobel Prize winner Menchú brings to life her childhood years in the Guatemalan village of Chimel. She serves up the cultural and social traditions that shaped her, as well as the lessons handed down by her Mayan grandparents and their ancestors. The book makes a heartfelt plea for that long-gone peaceful coexistence between man and nature. A sequel to how life in Chimel changed dramatically is sure to follow.

Montejo, Víctor.
Blanca Flor: Una princesa maya.
(Blanca Flor: A Mayan Princess)
illus. by Rafael Yockteng. U.S.: Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2005. 36p. ISBN 0-88899-600-4. $16.95.

Gr 2-5–Montejos’s version of the beloved Mexican folktale is rooted in Mayan culture. A beautiful and clever Mayan princess outwits her father and determines her own destiny by providing an orphaned prince from another kingdom with the knowledge and tools he needs to fulfill her father’s nearly impossible demands. Yockteng’s color illustrations portray the Yucatan landscape; each illustration is framed by Mayan decorative patterns.

Mora, Pat.
Una biblioteca para Juana.
(A Library for Juana)
tr. by Claudia Lee. illus. by Beatriz Vidal. U.S.: Bantam Doubleday: Random House. 2002. 40p. ISBN 0-440417-65-1. pap. $6.99; ISBN 0-38590-863-6. lib. bdg. $17.99.

PreS-2–This engaging picture book biography introduces readers to Juana Inez de la Cruz, Mexico’s “Tenth Muse,” whose love for language and poetry began early in childhood. Insatiably curious, Juana wants to go to the university, but in 17th-century Mexico this is only permitted to boys. Vidal’s intricate color illustrations evoke the sense of wonder and imagination of this creative child prodigy.

Urrutia, María Christina & Krystyna Libura.
Ecos de la conquista.
(Echos of the Conquest)
ISBN 968-7381-21-3.
Estampas de la colonia.
(Colonial Vignettes)
ISBN 968-7381-71-X.
ea. vol.: Mexico: Ediciones TECOLOTE, dist. by Mariuccia Iaconi Book Imports. 1999. photogs. pap. $14.25.

YA–Featuring reproductions of maps, paintings, murals, statues and other religious icons, as well as color and b&w photos, these companion titles provide multiple ways for viewing two defining periods in Mexican history. Ecos compares two historical accounts of the conquest: the chronicles of Spanish soldier Bernal Díaz de Castillo and the memoirs of some of the Indians who fought the war, as collected by Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún. Acknowledging that much of the paintings and iconography of the period reflects a hegemonic perspective, the editors use a footprint icon to note when an opposing perspective of the text is available. Estampas chronicles daily life in colonial Mexico as told by such fictional characters as María Ávila, the beautiful daughter of a royal family who is doomed to life in a convent in order to prevent her from marrying a common servant. A chronology spanning from 1521 to 1803 highlights important historical events.

Various.
El libro de oro de los abuelos.
(The Golden Book of Grandparents)
Gr 3-5–illus. by various. 133p. ISBN 980-257-274-8.
Uribe, Verónica, ed.
El libro de oro de las fábulas.
(The Golden Book of Fables)
Gr 2-3–illus. by Constanza Bravo. 126p. ISBN 980-257-209-8.
ea. vol.: Venezuela: Ediciones Ekaré (Libros de Oro). 2004. $9.95.

This first collection of 11 fairy tales and folktales brought by the Spanish to Latin America but transformed in the course of their retelling includes a male version of Cinderella and a Latin Americanized version of Hansel and Gretel. Beautiful illustrations greatly enhance this lovely gem. The lively fables in the second book, written by such renowned fabulists as Aesop, Félix María de Samaniego, and Tomás de Iriarte, are here retold in a mini edition. Great for gifts and classroom discussion.

BILINGUAL

Argueta, Jorge.
A Movie in My Pillow/Una película en mi almohada.
illus. by Elizabeth Gómez. U.S.: Children’s Book Pr. 2001. 32p. ISBN 0-89239-165-0. $15.95.

Gr 3-6–Tender, poignant poems evoke the duality of a child’s mind as he tries to adapt to life in a new country. A Salvadoran war refugee, the protagonist longs for home, recalling the sound of his grandmother’s voice and the smell of her homemade pupusas (filled pastries). Gómez’s vivid illustrations play with geometric forms and motion to evoke the active world of childhood.

Colato Laínez, René.
Playing Lotería/El juego de la lotería.
illus. by Jill Arena. U.S.: Luna Rising: Rising Moon. 2005. 32p. ISBN 0-87358-881-9. $15.95.

PreS-Gr 3–A young boy’s fear about visiting to his abuela in Mexico because he cannot speak Spanish goes away when the grandmother invites him to learn her language as she works to learn his. At the town’s feria, the boy learns to play Mexico’s traditional Lotería game, while imitating his grandmother’s role as the game’s announcer. This fun experience serves to strengthen the boy’s bond with his abuela. Arena’s rich colors match those in the Lotería symbols, making this picture book an enjoyable and visually satisfying experience.

Colato Laínez, René.
Waiting for Papá/Esperando a papá.
illus. by Anthony Accardo. U.S.: Piñata Books: Arte Público Pr. 2004. ISBN 1-55885-403-7. $14.95.

PreS-Gr3–When his family’s home in El Salvador burns down, five-year-old Beto and his mother move to the United States. Unfortunately, Beto’s father does not get a visa and remains behind. Three years later, Beto still yearns to be reunited with his father, but a chance opportunity to read him a personal letter in a live radio broadcast finally opens the door to the long-awaited reunion. Accardo’s warm and comforting compositions, while devoid of cultural context, aptly complement this well-written story.

Cumpiano, Ina.
Quinito’s Neighborhood/El vecindario de Quinito.
illus. by José Ramírez. U.S.: Children’s Book Pr. 2005. 24p. ISBN 0-89239-209-6. pap. $16.95.

PreS-2–Join Quinito on a pleasant stroll through his neighborhood and meet his family and friends. The vibrant community appears busy at work, but in some cases the roles have changed: Quinito’s father works as a nurse while his mother does some carpentry, and his grandmother is a truck driver. Ramírez’s colorful mural-style illustrations introduce children to modern role models that reflect the changing workplace.

Lomas Garza, Carmen.
Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia.
tr. by Rosalma Zubizarreta. illus. by the author. U.S.: Children’s Book Pr. 2005. 32p. ISBN 0-89239-207-X. pap. 47.95; ISBN 0-89239-206-1. $16.95.

Gr 1-4–A 15th anniversary edition of the award-winning story about the author’s childhood in the town of Kingsville, TX, this enhanced edition includes a stunning addition depicting a Quinceañera (15th birthday party) gathering on a church’s steps. Family, friends, and the young celebrant’s court of 14 damas, or ladies-in-waiting, along with their chamberlains wait for the ceremony to begin. Sandra Cisneros provides a lovely introduction and Pat Mora pays homage to Lomas Garza’s contributions to her community in an afterword. Search the Críticas database for a full review.