Tag: Latino/Hispanic/Mexican Interest

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Meet Skeletina!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Skeletina is an adorable skeleton girl who lives in the in-between world. Her stories are inspired by Mexican culture, and what time of year is better to introduce Skeletina than Hispanic Heritage Month – and with Halloween and Día de los Muertos on the horizon? Come meet Skeletina and her friends!

Skeletina and the In-Between World / Skeletina y el Entremundo, by Susie Jaramillo, (Sept. 2022, Roaring Brook Press), $18.99, ISBN: (Eng.) 9781945635465 (Spa.) 9781250851055

Ages 3-6

Skeletina’s first book is an introduction to the spunky young girl and her world. She lives in the in-between, “the one place where the dead and living come together”; the living can vist there in their dreams, and the dead can wrap up any unfinished business. Skeletina visits with some of her friends, accompanied by her skeleton dog, Pancho, and seems to be in charge of keeping the in-between happy for everyone: she catches bugs that turn fears into nightmares, soothes the noisy prankster Rattles, and plays music to calm the nervous Sombra. Graphite and color pencil artwork beautifully creates an otherworldly feel. Skeletina and her friends are inspired by calavera artwork and Mexican folk art touches brighten and enliven the spreads. Endpapers show all of Skeletina’s friends, whom we can expect to meet in future books, all inspired by Mexican culture, made child-friendly. La Llorona, pictured here as a weeping ghost, “always makes things worse”, while Rattles (Matraca, or Rattles, in Spanish), “shakes everything” and looks like a collection of clattering surfaces. Easily readable and enjoyable for all ages, this is a series to keep on your shelves and in your storytime collections.

Skeletina and the In-Between World / Skeletina y el Entremundo is available in both English and Spanish.

 

 

 

Skeletina and the Greedy Tooth Fairy / Skeletina y el Hada Marada, by Susie Jaramillo, (Sept. 2023, Roaring Brook Press), $18.99, ISBN: (Eng.) 9781250872012 (Spa.) 9781250872005

Ages 3-6

Skeletina helps a young girl get her teeth back from Hada Marada, the Tooth Fairy’s greedy sister, in this second Skeletina story. As Skeletina spends time with her dog, Pancho, on a rainy day in the in-between, she discovers a crying girl, distressed because her teeth are falling out! Skeletina immediately knows who’s behind things, and sets off, with Olivia – the crying girl – to fetch those missing teeth. But Olivia learns that Hada Malvada grows stronger with every lie a child tells, so she has to own up to her fibs in order to restore her pearly whites. Graphite and pencil artwork is vibrant, providing a dreamlike landscape with giant horseflies, colorful fairies, and giant chocolate statues. Jaramillo beautifully makes black and white live separately with full color illustration. Cultural details are present in the background spreads, laying a rich Mexican tapestry to the story. Skeletina gently delivers a message about honesty and being true to onesself within a playful story about a mischevious fairy. Endpapers feature Skeletina, Pancho, and Señor Tic Toc peeking out of openings in the in-between house. Available in both English and Spanish, this is a delightful story for readalouds. Find more books and animations on the Encantos app.

Posted in Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Intermediate, Middle Grade, Non-fiction, Non-Fiction

Graphic Novel rundown

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

As I continue scaling Mount TBR, I’ve got some good graphic novels to share!

Batcat, by Meggie Ramm, (March 2023, Amulet Books), $13.99, ISBN: 9781419756573

Ages 7-10

Batcat is a round, pink, half-bat and half-cat who lives alone in their oak tree home on Spooky Island. They love mushroom pizza and junk food, video games, and being alone – until the day when a ghost decides to haunt their home. Batcat is besides themselves: the ghost is SO RUDE! The ghost is constantly talking, and commits the cardinal sin of eating Batcat’s ice cream. Fed up, Batcat heads to the Island Witch for a spell to get rid of the ghost, and ends up on a journey for the ingredients to mix up the spell. First, Batcat has to go to the Cavernous Caves, where bats tell Batcat that they aren’t batty enough to be a bat. Then, it’s off to the Whispering Cemetery, where the cats that live there tell Batcat that they’re not committed to being cat enough. Batcat is frustrated and sad: why do they have to be one thing or the other? That’s the whole point of Batcat: it’s perfectly fine to be yourself, and don’t let anyone pressure you into being something you’re not comfortable with. Batcat is a delightful story about embracing our own individuality, delivering a strong, sweet message to readers throughout the story: “The Island Witch was neither a good witch nor a bad witch. She was somewhere in between. Batcat liked that, as they were neither one thing nor another themselves”. This message runs throughout the story, and some readers may notice the bright, vibrant colors running throughout the story map to the colors of the Nonbinary flag. Full of humor and moments of self-awareness and acceptance, Batcat is an adorable story about finding friendship and discovering our place in the world.

Batcat has a starred review from School Library Journal.

 

 

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes, by Tracey Baptiste/Illustrated by Shauna J. Grant, (Jan. 2023, First Second), $19.99, ISBN: 9781250174215

Ages 9-13

The History Comics series is another nonfiction graphic novel win. The kids in my library love them, and First Second’s strong author and illustrator teams make for a winning combination of solid writing, pacing, and art. Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes brings Claudette Colvin’s story to the forefront. Most people think that Rosa Parks was the first person to refuse to move to the back of the bus during the Jim Crow South, but 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was actually the first. Narrated in Colvin’s voice, readers get a summation of life during segregation and the seeds of activism planted by her teacher, Mrs. Lawrence, who told her class the unvarnished truth about history: “Are you who theysay you are? Or are youwho you say you are?” The narrative moves into Colvin’s arrest and trial, her civil rights work, and how Parks and Colvin knew one another long before Rosa Parks’s defining moment in Montgomery, which led to the Montgomery bus boycott. While covering history, Baptiste also gives a glimpse into Colvin’s and Parks’s life, providing a look at the people behind the legends. Baptiste, a bestselling middle grade author, knows how to write for her audience and provoke feelings of frustration, anger, and the desire for change. She does not shy away from the ugly side of history, touching on Emmett Till’s violent murder and Recy Taylor’s rape at gunpoint. Grant’s expressive illustrations bring Baptiste’s words to life and keep readers engaged. Afterwords from Baptiste and Grant complete the back matter. An essential addition to civil rights, social justice, and graphic novel nonfiction collections.

The Zinn Education Project has webpages dedicated to Colvin, including a Day in History link to March 2, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat, with links to more resources. There is a wealth of information on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, including History.com, Encyclopedia Britannica, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

 

Codex Black (Book One): A Fire Among Clouds, by Camilo Moncada Lozano, (Apr. 2023, IDW Publishing), $16.99, ISBN: 9781684059591

Ages 12+

Set in 15th century Mesoamerica, the first book in the Codex Black series is an adventure bringing together Donají, a teen Zapotec girl who sets out on a journey to find her father, and Itzcacalotl, a teen Mexica warrior, who happens to have wings. Together, along with the god that lives inside Donají’s poncho, the two face monsters and defend villages, while trying to solve the mystery behind Donají’s father’s disappearance. Originally a webcomic on Tapas, Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds makes a seamless transition to graphic novel. Lozano weaves a hero/heroine’s journey with fantastic and historical elements, rich in pre-Columbian history. The vibrant artwork, the expressive characters, the historical clothing, and cultural details are all breathtaking. Perfect for middle school into high school readers, this is what to hand your readers that have moved beyond (but never away from) Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan Presents adventures.

Want to learn more about the differences between Webtoons and Tapas? Check out this helpful article. Teachers Pay Teachers has some good resources for Mesoamerican studies, too: Tony the Tourist has reading passages; Teaching to the Middle has passages on Mayan religions; Mama Made Resources has reading comprehension on the Olmecs; Carroll’s Curations has a Mesoamerican Overview presentation on Powerpoint, and SimplyKristalClear has a Mesoamerican Geography document.

 

What Happens Next?: Talent Show Troubles, by Jess Smart Smiley, (Apr. 2023, First Second), $12.99, ISBN: 9781250889263
Ages 7-10

The Choose Your Own Adventure model works so well with this funny graphic novel about Megan, a tween targeted by seagulls and determined to do her part in making the school talent show a success. As readers make choices throughout the story, they’ll encounter dogs pooping backstage, a sick stage manager (or is it more?) and a wanted bandit – and that’s just a few of the wacky events in store for readers. Each turn of the page brings new decisions and consequences; there are over 100 paths and 29 endings available, meaning a LOT of re-reads in this book’s future. Bold cartoon art and hilarious dialogue makes this a graphic novel that readers are going to enjoy the first time and the hundredth time. What Happens Next?: Science Fair Frenzy just hit shelves in June, so pair them up. Booktalk this one to your storytellers who enjoy having some control over the outcome of a story.

Jess Smart Smiley’s webpage has links to events, animated stickers, and info on joining his First Readers Club, where readers can read his newest books for free while giving him feedback.

More to come!

Posted in Fiction, Intermediate, picture books

The Great TBR ReadDown, 2020 Edition

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I’ve said it before: when it comes to books, my eyes are bigger than my reading capacity. I’m attempting to read down as much as I can before the new year, so please enjoy my TBR as I whittle it down.

21 Cousins, by Diane de Anda/Illustrated by Isabel Muñoz, (Feb .2021, StarBright Books), $16.99, ISBN: 978-1-59572-915-6

Ages 4-8
Big families are big fun, and this mestizo family – a mix of Mexican people and cultures (Indian, Spanish, French) – is full of cousins! They’re all gathering for a special reason, and Alejandro and Sofia act as our narrators as they introduce us to each of their cousins. The family members are different ages, have different interests, abilities, and appearances that we learn about as we go through each colorful spread. There is some Spanish language infused into the English text, and the book is also available in Spanish. Beginning with the pages of a family photo album and closing with a family picture of all the cousins, it’s a wonderful story about how cultural diversity exists and flourishes within families: the small communities where it all begins.
Bronson Beaver Builds a Robot, by Teko Bernard/Illustrated by Howard Russell, (Apr. 2021, Tabron Publishing), $9.95, ISBN: 978-0986059360
Ages 7-11

Bronson Beaver is a 13-year-old builder, inventor, and video game fan whose family runs Beaver Valley Lodge, a hugely popular vacation resort. While Bronson just wants to spend a weekend playing video games with his best friends, his father has other plans: the big pancake festival is happening, and Bronson has a list of chores to get done for the festival! Like any brainiac inventor, Bronson decides to take the easy way out and invent a robot to do all the chores while he and his best friends can take part in the Zombie Fight video game tournament and win the cash prize that will allow them to build their dream workshop. You know the true course of video games and robots never did run smooth, though, and things go wrong in a big way: and now it’s up to Bronson and his friends to make things right. A smart chapter book about friendship, making good decisions, and with a nice STEM component, plus black and white illustrations throughout, I hope we see more of Bronson and friends in the future. Give this indie published book a shot and invite your kiddos to build robots of their own, with some after-holidays boxes and decorations you have available to repurpose.

Sharks at Your Service, by Mary Cerullo/Photos by Jeffrey Rotman, (July 2021, Tumblehome), $17.99, ISBN: 9781943431632

Ages 7-9

There are two stories at play in this story about sharks and all the jobs they do: the fictional story of a girl named Marina and her dad’s trip to the aquarium, where they see sharks and attend a talk by shark photographer (also the photographer behind the photos in this book) Jeffrey Rotman, and the nonfiction facts and photos of sharks that run parallel to the fictional narrative. Marina’s aquarium visit starts a growing fascination with sharks; on the way home, she sees sharks everywhere! This gets her thinking of all the jobs sharks have, keeping the ocean in balance and clean: sharks like tiger sharks eat just about anything they see, earning the nickname “garbage collectors of the sea”; they weed out weak and sick ocean life, keeping disease from spreading through schools of fish; their superior senses help them maintain their status as alpha predators of the sea. Manga-influenced color illustrations and incredible color photos on every page make this a book shark fans will pick up again and again.

 

Starboy : Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of David Bowie, by Jami Gigot, (May 2021, Henry Holt), $18.99, ISBN: 9781250239433

Ages 4-8

Inspired by artist, singer, actor, and icon David Bowie, Starboy is a breathtaking tribute to every kid who doesn’t feel like they fit in… until they find that they do. David is a boy who lives in a black and white world until he hears “star chatter” that brings color to his world… and then again when he hears music on the radio. Music brings color to his world, and gives him a place where he belongs: and reaches out to color other people’s worlds, too. Jami Gigot’s illustrations bring David Bowie’s magic to life through sparks of color and nods to his personas like the Starman, Major Tom the Astronaut, the chic ’80s music and fashion icon, even Labyrinth’s Goblin King. As David the Starboy comes to life through music, the spark spreads to his schoolmates and people on the street, showing readers the ability that music has to reach inside and speak to us – just like “star chatter”. An author’s note talks about the influence of David Bowie on fashion and music, an there are fun facts and further resources for readers interested in learning more. The cover is a gorgeous tribute to Bowie’s Starman persona from the 1972 Aladdin Sane album cover.

Starboy has a starred review from School Library Journal.

 

I Can Be Kind, by Rainbow Gal, (June 2021Fat Cat Publishing), $12.99, ISBN: 978-1-989767-00-9

Ages 4-7

A cute pet shop fairy tale, I Can Be Kind is the story of Oscar, a 2-year-old piranha found in the sewer after being flushed by his owner. He ends up at a pet shop in Brooklyn, where he terrorizes the fish in the tank next to him. Being a carnivorous fish, the pet shop owner fed goldfish to Oscar until one day, when Maria – a friendly goldfish who refused to be scared off by Oscar’s posturing – ends up in Oscar’s tank! Oscar can’t eat Maria – she’s his friend, and he’s got a crush on her – and the two end up sharing fish food together, living happily ever after. It’s a sweet story, illustrated in full color, with coloring sheets available with the paperback version and for free at Rainbow Gal’s website.

Posted in Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Got a mystery? Julieta’s on the case!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Julieta and the Diamond Enigma, by Luisana Duarte Armendáriz, (June 2020, Lee & Low Books), $18.95, ISBN: 9781643790466

Ages 8-12

Winner of the 2018 Lee & Low/Tu Books New Visions Award, Julieta and the Diamond Enigma is a fun whodunit with a smart heroine who has a penchant for finding trouble. Julieta is the nine-year-old daughter whose parents both work at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (BFA). Her mom is due to give birth to her baby brother soon, and her dad, an art handler, needs to fly to Paris to collect pieces for a new BFA exhibit. After some great Paris sightseeing, Julieta and her dad are ready to pack up and head home – until she and her dad walk in on a burglar stealing the prized Regent Diamond! The diamond was going to be a key piece in the BFA exhibit, and all eyes are on Julieta’s father. Julieta starts putting together some clues, desperate to save her father’s job and reputation, all the while hoping they can get home in time to be there when her baby brother is born. With nods to to Greek mythology (especially the goddess Athena) and smartly placed clues that will lead readers to the answers alongside Julieta, this is a fun cozy mystery for burgeoning whodunit fans. Museum fans will love seeing what goes on behind closed museum doors – a realistic Night at the Museum, so to speak. I loved reading about Julieta’s goofing around with her parents in the museum and Back matter has the true story of the Regent Diamond, the goddess Athena, the art mentioned in Julieta and the Diamond Enigma, and a handy glossary of terms. A note at the beginning of the book has a helpful glossary of Spanish and French words, as words and phrases come up during the course of the story. A great book to introduce to readers that are moving from intermediate chapter books to more detailed middle grade fiction.