As book editor, reviewer, translator, and now literary agent, one of my career goals has always been clear: to promote Latino and Spanish language literature in the US, and to help Latino authors in particular get published. That is what this blog is about, and the reason why we all gather here; to learn more about this portion of the book publishing industry, and to find ways to promote it, and make it grow.
So imagine my delight when I received a call from a former colleague at HarperCollins Children's Books informing me that one of the books I edited during my time at HCC received the American Library Association's (ALA) 2010 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration! The book is Pat Mora's bilingual BOOK FIESTA!, illustrated by the brilliant Rafaél López. Working on Pat's poetic text was a joy that could only be matched by seeing the original art pieces submitted by Rafael. I remember the thrill of holding the explosively colorful wooden boards and the feeling that we were putting together something truly special. Part of what made the book special was the fact that it is the first to celebrate Pat Mora's Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), a celebration that she founded some 14 years ago, with the noble aim to simply unite all children and books. I encourage you to pick up BOOK FIESTA! and to share it with the children around you; it is truly a work of art, and like all great works of art, it aspires to a greater purpose and does so beautifully.
Visit the ALA website for the full list of the 2010 Pura Belpré winners, which includes yet another book authored by Pat Mora, which I had the honor of translating. GRACIAS/THANKS serves as another example of a beautiful marriage between (Pat Mora's) poetic text, and images. I am so proud to have been involved in two of this year's winners. I so enjoy seeing our amazing Latino literature being celebrated!
Hello everyone!
I want to begin this post by thanking the increasingly large number of followers of this blog. You are the reason I continue to write it, despite a very busy schedule. The holidays have been busier than usual and I don't plan on writing again until next year, so this wrap up will include a number of items I've been meaning to share with you for some time now. Happy holidays!
Another Record Broken
You mayhave read about Planeta’s million-copy printing of the Spanish edition of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, but you may not be aware of the ways in which the Spanish publisher’s publicity efforts have crossed new frontiers. Want to see the best-selling author speak Spanish? Then, visit Tinta Fresca, the site for reviews of Spanish language books, where you can see a short introductory clip featuring Mr. Brown welcoming the magazine’s readers in Spanish, atop a full Spanish language interview. But that's not all, El símbolo perdido, as the Spanish language edition is called, made history in my own hometown of New York on November 26th , when it was advertised on the Times Square big screen. It is the first time in PR Newswire history that a Spanishbook is shown on the famous screen.
The Spanish language edition of "The Lost Symbol" displayed on the famous Times Square "big screen."
For more information on El símbolo perdido, visit the book’s official site.
Why I’m Thankful
This year, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to work with a dear friend when I was asked to translatePat Mora’s exquisite bilingual picture book Gracias/Thanks, in which a young boy tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful. I am thankful for having a small part in the making of this wonderful book, which represents one of those rare, perfect combinations of text and images. Pat’s poetic text, beautiful in its simplicity, is perfectly matched by John Parra’s warm illustrations.
But don’t take my word for it, read some of the glowing reviews it has received:
From School Library Journal/Críticas® magazine:
“The poetic writing flows in both Spanish and English and carries a sense of happiness brought by the simple things in life. The cheery and brightly colored acrylic illustrations are full of fun details and add depth to the text.” (Full review.)
From Booklist® (starred review):
“These blessings are remarkable for their childlike imagination and fresh imagery…Books of thanks can run toward clichés, but the originality and liveliness of language and art in this one will inspire children to consider their own blessings." (Full review only available to subscribers.)
From Kirkus Reviews® (starred review):
“Mora has a keen sense of the concrete, child-friendly detail, and it’s put to splendid use here. Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement as the unnamed narrator gives thanks to the ladybug that lands on his finger, the bees that don’t sting him and his little brother, who throws mashed peas at their sister. Parra’s folk-art–style acrylics evoke a suburban neighborhood replete with twining morning glories, green lawns, and red-tiled roofs. Domínguez’s Spanish translation precedes the English text of this bilingual tale on each spread, a thoughtful touch that honors both the book’s creators and its Latino audience. For this graceful celebration, ¡gracias!" (Full review.)
If you are looking for a wonderful bilingual book with a great message, make sure you pick up this one. You’ll be glad you did!
My Favorite Books of 2009
Here is a short list of some of my favorite books of 2009. It is by no means exhaustive, since my schedule this year did not permit me to put out my usual call to publishers to evaluate their full lists. It is also uniquely mine, and includes books that I’ve worked on, authors I’ve worked with, stories that left me hungry for more from the same author, and some children’s books that I think every Latino parent should have.
If you don’t see your favorite, add it to the list in the comments section! Together, we can come up with a fantastic list of Latino and Spanish language titles for those looking to give books as presents this year. And if you haven’t yet, run out and buy a book for a friend or a family member, or many books! Remember: “a home without books is a body without a soul.”
For Children:
"In My..." series of finger puppet books, illustrated by Argentine artist Lorena Siminovich.
Some fun and educational choices in Spanish from Rufus Butler Seder and Georgina Lázaro.
Some wonderful bilingual choices from René Colato Laínez, Guadalupe Rivera Marín (Diego Rivera's daughter), and Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy.
Tween and teen choices by some of our best Latino authors: Julia Alvarez, Diana López. and Matt de la Peña.
For Adults:
The Invisible Mountain by Carolina de Robertis
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
Ruins By Achy Obejas
Dancing with Butterflies by Reyna Grande
Espejos by Eduardo Galeano (also available in English as "Mirrors")
Sweet Mary by Liz Balmaseda
America Libre (in English) by Raul Ramos y Sánchez
I will be at this year's Latino Book and Family Festival in Los Angeles this Saturday and Sunday, participating on panels on the state of publishing, and interviewing the fabulous Pat Mora. Come check it out, this year's festival promises to be the best one yet! Click here for more information, and for the festival's full program, which includes events in English and Spanish.
To enter the Hispanic Heritage Month Book Giveaway, click here.
By now, most of us know that 1 out of every 2 children born in the US is of Latino heritage, and that by 2050 nearly 30% of this country’s population will be Latino. What some of you may not know, is that studies have revealed that children who are read to from an early age (preferably before they begin school), do better once they get to school. And a child who does better in school is more likely to stay in it, and go on to college, and become a contributing member of society. So if we want to ensure a bright future for our Latino children as their numbers continue to grow, we should make an effort to read to them as much as we can, and to make that a priority in our lives. El día de los niños/El día de los libros provides us with a perfect opportunity to celebrate children, books, and the act of reading!
Founded in 1996 by author Pat Mora, “Día” as it is commonly called, is “a daily commitment to link all children to books, languages and cultures.” Día is housed at the American Library Association, and there are Día celebrations held at libraries all across the country on or near April 30th. To learn more about Día and its celebrations, get a brochure of recommended books, and much more, visit Día’s official website.
This is particularly exciting year for Día, because its founder, Pat Mora, has released her first ever Día themed bilingual picture book, entitled Book Fiesta!, illustrated by the amazing Rafael López. LibreríaLectorum.com recently interviewed the author about Día and her new book. Click here to read that interview. To learn more about Pat Mora, Día, and the book, visit the author’s website.
I have listed some Día events in my calendar. That, along with the information and resources found in the websites mentioned above, should provide you with many options for celebrating Día today, this week, this month, and this year. So tell your friends and family to celebrate, read to their kids, and buy books by Latino authors! That is the best investment we can all make in our future!
The titles below belong to a list of Día recommended titles put together by The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - a division of the American Library Association (ALA), REFORMA - the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking, and the Association of American Publishers’ Publishing Latino Voices for America (PLVA) Task Force. It includes books in English and Spanish, as well as in the popular bilingual format. I think that it provides a nice variety of titles to help you begin to build your library. Enjoy!
Children's Books informing me that one of the books I edited during my time at HCC received the American Library Association's (ALA) 2010 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration! The book is Pat Mora's bilingual BOOK FIESTA!, illustrated by the brilliant Rafaél López. Working on Pat's poetic text was a joy that could only be matched by seeing the original art pieces submitted by Rafael. I remember the thrill of holding the explosively colorful wooden boards and the feeling that we were putting together something truly special. Part of what made the book special was the fact that it is the first to celebrate Pat Mora's Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), a celebration that she founded some 14 years ago, with the noble aim to simply unite all children and books. I encourage you to pick up BOOK FIESTA! and to share it with the children around you; it is truly a work of art, and like all great works of art, it aspires to a greater purpose and does so beautifully.
Visit the ALA website for the full list of the 2010 Pura Belpré winners, which includes yet another book authored by Pat Mora, which I had the honor of translating. GRACIAS/THANKS serves as another example of a beautiful marriage between (Pat Mora's) poetic text, and images. I am so proud to have been involved in two of this year's winners. I so enjoy seeing our amazing Latino literature being celebrated!
