October is Hispanic Culture month and indeed there is reason to celebrate in terms of children's books. Not only am I finally seeing very good Hispanic representation , but there is becoming a body of books about Hispanic traditions, cultures and communities. I would therefore like to join this month's celebration by sharing with you some books that have recently been released.
For young children, Caldecott-winning Verna Aardema retells a Mexican folk tale, Borreguita and the Coyote. Woven through this story of a small lamb who outsmarts a hungry coyote are Spanish phrases, plenty of unusual sound effects, and clear bold, action-accenting illustrations by illustrator Petra Mathers. Ages 4-8. (Knopf, 1991)
Author Alma Flor Ada chooses a Central American setting for her original tale, The Gold Coin. Juan, a thief, casing the home of Dona Josefa observes her holding a gold coin, overhears her proclaim herself "the richest person in the world" and decides to rob her. She leads him a merry chase as he follows her speeding from good deed to good deed. In each phase of his journey, Juan becomes a richer person emotionanally, as he works to support his travel and hears stories of Dona Josefa's goodness. At the end, Juan is transformed and has a new definition of wealth. The spectrum of Neil Waldman's watercolors capture time of day, setting and emotions of the characters. The boarders and interesting graphic presentations encourage an older reader to think about illustration as well as story. Ages 5-8. (Atheneum, 1991)
Latin American history and myth combine in Nancy Van Laan's retelling of The Legend of El Dorado. Illustrations by Beatriz Vidal are sometimes glitter with the legendary gold, sometimes dazzle with the vivid colors of the Amazon jungle and othertimes reflect the darkness of the sorrowing king or the haunting emerald serpent of Lake Guatavita. Ages 4-8. (Knopf, 1991)
David Wisniewski's intricate paper cut illustrations now find a Mayan focus in his original tale, Rain Player. The story tells of a young ball player who seeks to save his people from drought by challenging the rain god to a game of pok-a-tok. In art, Wisniewski's work represents Mayan culture with colors, symbols, architecture. He enhances his visual portrayal with a text that is imbedded with Mayan ideas, philosophies and customs. Ages 5-9. (Clarion, 1991)
Mexican muralist Diego Rivera's life is the focus of Diego with text by Jonah Winter and illustrations by Jeannette Winter. The bi-lingual writing tells of Diego's tragic, magic, artistically nurturing youth. But the lively, animated telling is not mere facts, for the author dimesionalizes Rivera by exposing his visions of life and beauty, his dedication to his people and his art, and the way in which his murals changed the world forever. Jeanette Winter's small illustrations contrast the artist's larger scale work. Her bright colors and characteristic Mexican boarders show her respect and honor for all he represented. Ages 4-8. (Knopf, 1991)
As a side-note, I must add that many publishers are serving us by bringing out Spanish versions of well-loved American children's books. Viking, Scholastic, and Farrar, Strauss & Giroux are all companies that have supported bring excellent literature to Spanish speaking Americans.
And what of Hispanic-Americans themselves? Hello, Amigos! is a photographic view of a Frankie Valdez who lives in the Mission District in San Francisco. The day author Tricia Brown elects to depict is Frankie's birthday, so not only do we get to see his family of nine, and his school, but a lively celebration of his birth which includes pinata, favorite Mexican foods, marachi and after, a quieter visit to the church. Rather than focus on a more affluent child, as so often these non-fiction treatments do, the illustrations and words give very real representation to a working-class family. Brown and Ortiz, the photographer, include everyting from a school-provided breakfast to Frankie experiencing learning difficulties because of language problems. The documentary is positive and sincere. It even includes a blend of Spanish and English words in the text that seem to come authentically from Frankie's viewpoint. Ages 3-7. (Holt, 1991)
Abuela means "grandma" in Spanish. Arthur Dorros' book by this title tells of a fantastical and real journey that a Rosalba makes with her beloved Abuela in New York City. There is much balance in the terms of plot and art. The script equalizes real and fantastical experiences and the Spanish language dances through the English often without direct translation. Not only does this seem genuine, but it also gives a reader the sense of searching for contextual clues as a non-English speaker must. The primitive-ethnic illustrations by Elisa Kleven are also balanced. She chooses her background people from all different races and nationalities, and her perspectives are sometimes bird's eye, sometimes worm's eye. There are crowded apartment settings and expansive skies above Lady Liberty. Perhaps it is the sum of all these symmetries that speak to the core of the book; the perfect harmony of a special relationship between a small girl and an adored and adoring grandparent. Ages 4-8. (Dutton, 1991)
Hurrah! Even young adult books have found a Hispanic representation with the profound contributions of poet-fiction wirter Gary Soto. This year, the Professor of Chican Studies and English from Berkeley adds to his body of growing work a collection of twenty-three poems titled Fire In My Hands. There is a wide array of small and large views of life in general--images of barren branches, oranges, billboards, and baseball. He writes of transitioning to a higher income level, views of parenting and valuing his small daughter's visioning. I was most touched to the story-poems that grew from his childhood in the San Joaquin Valley. In one of his poems he identifies with an Hispanic home-run hero and with him rounds bases beautifully, "because we were coming home/To the arms of brown people." Each poem is proceed with its seed of inspiration and the book ends with a question and answer section about Soto's process. Ages 10 and up. (Scholastic, 1991)