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Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, Joe Cepeda, Rene Colato Lainez, From North to South, Del norte al sur, Ariadna Sánchez, Add a tag
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Bilingual books, René Colato Laínez, El Salvador, Rene has two last names, bilingual children's books, multicultural children's books, The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez, My shoes and I, From North to South, Global Voices, Cultures and Countries, children's books about refugees, immigrants experience in literature, I Am René the Boy, Playing Loteria, Waiting for Papa, Add a tag
My Life in the United States ~ by René Colato Laínez
Part 2 of 3 (Read Part 1 here)
For Christmas of 1984, my mother sent me a new pair of shoes from the United States. I still remember my father’s words, “These are good gringos shoes. These are very good shoes for the trip to the United States.”
On February 17 1985, my father and I left El Salvador. Two days later, we arrived in Mexico City. Then, we were stuck in Mexico City for almost two months. We could not continue our journey because Mexican immigration took all the money from my father. It wasn’t until April that my mother sent us more money for our trip. During my journey, my father and I crossed three countries and climbed the mountains from Tijuana to the United States. But we made it to Los Angeles. My shoes were not new anymore. They had holes everywhere. One shoe was missing the sole.
There are certain moments that mark your like forever. My journey and my new life in the United States as a new immigrant created a big impact in me and in my writing. In my book, My Shoes and I, I tell the story of my journey and in my other books I write about the new immigrant child in the United States. Most of my books are based in my life and some are autobiographical just like René Has Two Last Names/René tiene dos apellidos and I Am René, the Boy/ Soy René, el niño.
I experienced the silent period and many culture shocks. In El Salvador René is a name boy. I could not believe it that in the United States my beautiful name was a girl’s name, Renee. Children not only laughed because I had a girl’s name but also because I had two last names, “Your name is longer than an anaconda” “You have a long dinosaur’s name.”
I was able to adapt to the new country. I studied really hard and graduated with honors from high school. Then, I went to college and became a teacher. But I did not have legal papers yet. My mother became a resident thanks to the amnesty program. She applied for my papers but it was 1993 and I had not received my green card. I started to work as a teacher because I got a work permit. For two years, I received letters from LAUSD, “We need to have evidence of your legal status. Your work permit will expire soon.” But finally in 1995, I received the famous immigration letter. Yes! I had an appointment to get my green card. It was not green after all. It was pink!
The ideas to write many of my books are born in the classroom. One day, a first grader told me, “I want to write a letter to my mamá. She is in Guatemala and I miss her so much.” That night I wrote a story named
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: war, René Colato Laínez, El Salvador, Rene has two last names, The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez, My shoes and I, From North to South, Global Voices, Cultures and Countries, Cinco Puntos Press, children's books about refugees, children and war, Charles London, J.L. Powers, Playing Loteria, Left Behind in El Salvador, One Day the Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War, Add a tag
The War in El Salvador ~ by René Colato Laínez
When I was a child in El Salvador, I went to school, recited poetry, played with my friends and won a hula-hoop contest on national television. I might say that I had a normal childhood. But then, everything was upside down. For many days the school closed because of civil revolts. The radio and the television always talked about the army, guerrillas and the revolution in the country. The mad game came to El Salvador. The country was involved in a terrible civil war.
As I child, I did not really understand what was really going on. I asked myself many times, Why? Why were they doing this to the country? Before the war, when I heard a “boom”, I clapped and jumped up a down. It was the sound of the fireworks for Christmas. A “boom” meant that Christmas was around the corner. But during the war, when I heard the first “boom”, I ran home and hid under my bed, while more “booms” went on and on. Because those “booms” were not the sounds of happiness, they were the sounds of war.
During the war, thousands of Salvadorans left the country looking for peace and better opportunities. Many of these Salvadorans traveled to the United States. My mom was the first one in the family who left the country. After many struggles, my father and I left El Salvador in 1985.
I arrived in Los Angeles, California and I had the determination to go to school to become a teacher. Now I am a kindergarten teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School. I am also the author of many children’s books.
In December 2010, Cinco Puntos Press contacted me to participate in a book. They were putting together an anthology about children and war and were wondering if I could consider submitting an essay for the anthology. Of course I said yes! I love Cinco Puntos Press books. I use their bilingual books in my classroom all the time. Participating in this anthology was an honor for me.
The name of the book is That Mad Game; Growing Up in a Warzone: An Anthology of Essays from Around the Globe. The editor of the anthology is J. L. Powers.
Now was the hard part. What to write about? I grew up during the war and I had so many memories. My fourth grade teacher was killed during the war. That morning, the school was closed. Instead of having class, all the students went to a funeral home that was located one block away from school. I also knew friends who were recruited and found dead days later in rubbish dumps.
But I wanted to write all the way from the bottom of my heart. I wanted to write about my family and how the war divided us. But it was hard! Remembering my mom saying good-bye at the airport, visiting my father in jail, listening to the terrible news that archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero was assassinated and the final chaos at the cathedral during his funeral were all hard memories to put on paper. I must confess that I wrote my essay with tears in my eyes. Also it was a good therapy to write the essay. Yes, the war divided us but it could not destroy our love, faith and family bond.
The name of my ess
Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Joe Cepeda, children's book press, Rene Colato Lainez, From North to South, Add a tag
From the publisher- Children's Book Press:
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH Virtual Book Tour Now Underway
Author René Colato Laínez has organized a two-week virtual book tour for his book, From North to South / Del Norte al Sur. The book tour was launched on Monday with the premier of a video book trailer. Yesterday an interview with Executive Editor, Dana Goldberg was featured. We have lots of other exciting things planned, including a FREE give-away of the book to three lucky winners to be announced at the end of the book tour on Oct. 11th. Just leave your comments on the blogs everyday and you'll be entered to win. Where exactly is this blog tour happening, you ask? Read on to find out!Monday, Sept. 27
Tales from the Rushmore Kid
by Tina Nichols Coury
http://www.tinanicholscouryblog.com
Tuesday, Sept. 28
On Beyond Words & Pictures
by Megan Frances
http://www.onbeyondwordsandpictures.com
Wednesday, Sept. 29
Write On
by Jeannine Montgomery
http://writeon.margiesrose.com
Thursday, Sept. 30
Sandra’s Book Club
by Sandra Lopez
http://sandrasbookclub.blogspot.com
Friday, Oct. 1
Voces
by Adriana Dominguez
http://adrianadominguez.blogspot.com
Monday, Oct. 4
Mamá Latina Tips
by Sylvia Martínez
http://www.mamalatinatips.com
Tuesday, Oct. 5
Out of the Paintbox
by Diane Browning
http://www.dianebrowningillustrations.com
Wednesday, Oct. 6
Christina Rodriguez
http://www.christinarodriguez.com/blog
Thursday, Oct. 7
Lori Calabrese
http://loricalabrese.blogspot.com
Friday, Oct. 8
Examiner
by Mayra Calvini
http://www.examiner.com/latino-books-in-national/mayra-calvani
Monday, Oct. 11-
Many Voices, One World
by Children’s Book Press
http://ww
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Eventful World, Latin America, Children's Book Press, Hispanic Heritage Month, hispanic children's books, René Colato Laínez, From North to South, Cultures and Countries, Del Norte al Sur, Angela Domínguez, Let Me Help, Quiero Ayudar, Add a tag
As Aline mentioned in her post below, “Claiming Face” on Hispanic Heritage Month, Children’s Book Press will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary this fall. The anniversary celebrations will kick-off on September 26th with a free family-oriented public event at the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library (100 Larkin St. @ Grove, San Francisco, CA, USA) between 2:00 to 4:00 pm. There, Children’s Book Press will celebrate its dynamic community authors, artists, supporters, partners, and the many friends who have been part of a long and nationally renowned publishing history. With music provided by the 14-piece youth salsa band, Futuro Picante, this event will also highlight two new books published this year, with readings by René Colato Laínez, author of From North to South / Del Norte al Sur and Angela Domínguez, illustrator of Let Me Help! /¡Quiero ayudar! Light refreshments will be served. RSVP on Facebook or email publicity(at)childrensbookpress(dot)org
On October 7 at 7:00pm, Children’s Book Press will be holding No Small Matter: A Fundraiser for Children’s Book Press at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (701 Mission St., San Francisco). This event will honor Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for his work exploring the American identity, and Children’s Book Press founder Harriet Rohmer for her vision and legacy. Attendees will enjoy they dynamic artistry of Gregangelo & Velocity Circus, featuring whirling dervishes, contortionists and images taken from Children’s Book Press’ anthology, On My Block. The event will close with the swirling colors and pounding rhythms of Non Stop Bhangra, a dance troupe that combines traditional Punjabi folk music with hip hop, reggae, and electronica. Former California State Senator Art Torres will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets are $70/person and can be purchased here.
Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: yuyi morales, children's book press, Rene Colato Lainez, From North to South, floating on mama's song, Laura Lacamara, Add a tag
Monday, Aug. 30 - Floating on Mama's Song synopsis, reviews
http://www.dianebrowningillustrations.com/(Out of the Paintbox)
Tuesday, Aug. 31- Laura Lacámara (author) interview
http://www.onbeyondwordsandpictures.com/ (On Beyond Words & Pictures) Megan Frances
Wednesday, Sept. 1- Katherine Tegen (editor) interview -- book comes out today!
http://www.tinanicholscouryblog.com/(Tales from the Rushmore Kid)
Thursday, Sept. 2 - Yuyi Morales (illustrator) interview
http://www.latinbabybookclub.com/ (Latin Baby Book Club) René Colato Laínez
Friday, Sept. 3 - Announcement of contest winner!
http://www.dianebrowningillustrations.com/(Out of the Paintbox)
Anita's mama loves to sing. She sings such beautiful, happy songs that something magical happens: Everyone who hears her music floats high above the ground. But then Mama stops singing. Can Anita find a way to bring back happy times and magical moments for her family? Debut author Laura Lacámara's lyrical, uplifting tale is paired with Yuyi Morales's stunning art for a magical celebration of family, music, and happiness.
A la mamá de Anita le encanta cantar. Sus canciones son tan bonitas y felices que crean algo mágico: todo el que escucha su música se eleva y flota en el aire. Pero la mamá de Anita deja de cantar. ¿Logrará Anita recobrar los tiempos felices y los momentos mágicos para ella y su familia?
La lírica e inspiradora historia de Laura Lacámara y el arte espectacular de Yuyi Morales retratan una celebración mágica de la familia, la música y la felicidad.
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Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: dreams, bilingual books, Rene Colato Lainez, From North to South, sueños, children's books, Add a tag
René Colato Laínez
Playing Lotería/ El juego de la lotería is one of my children's books. Jill Arena illustrated this amazing book. ¡Binglés! is a fun game based on La lotería. It was developed by Deborah Frisch. Deborah and I present workshops where everyone can play Lotería in Engish and Spanish.
Last Thursday, I presented my new book at El CLub de Los Libritos in Primera Edición, canal 34. From North to South is getting excellent reviews. Yay!
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Picture Books, Bilingual books, Latin America, René Colato Laínez, El Salvador, From North to South, PaperTigers Themes, immigrant children, immigration debate, Add a tag
We are looking forward to the release of From North to South / Del Norte al Sur, by René Colate Laínez, due out in September by Children’s Book Press. René has written many children’s books about the immigrant experience, such as I am René and René Has Two Last Names, always drawing on his experience of coming to the United States, as an adolescent, from civil war–ravaged El Salvador (he arrived as an undocumented immigrant and is now a US citizen). From North to South deals with the issue of family separation, due to a parent’s precarious immigration status, from the perspective of child who, as is the case in these situations, has no say in it. With the immigration debate in the US being as heated as it is now, this is an important and very timely release.
Spanish speakers can see a video of René talking about the book here. I’ll be adding a link to our review of the book as soon as it’s live.
Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: bilingual, new title, children's book press, Rene Colato Lainez, From North to South, Del norte al sur, Add a tag
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. Yes, this is the box. But you need to open it, just to be real sure.
Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's book press, Rene Colato Lainez, My shoes and I, From North to South, Add a tag
On Monday, Febrary 1st my picture book MY SHOES AND I was released! Look for it on line or in your favorite bookstore.
When I was fourteen years old, my father and I crossed the Mexican/ USA border. I still remember those new shoes that my mother sent me from the United Stated. My shoes traveled with me all the way from El Salvador. At the end of the long and tiring journey my shoes had holes everywhere. In MY SHOES AND I, I am telling my story and the stories of thousands of children who need to cross borders in order to accomplish their dreams. Fabricio Vanden Broeck illustrated the book using the retablo's style. My Shoes and I was published by Boyds Mills.
Here is the text of the first scene:
For Christmas, Mamá sent me a new pair of shoes from the United States.
I love my new shoes. They walk everywhere I walk. They jump every time I jump. They run as fast as me. We always cross the finish line at the same time.
“Mario, these are very good shoes for the trip,” Papá says.
Papá tells me that it is a very long trip. We need to cross three countries. But no matter how long the trip will be, I will get there. My shoes will take me anywhere.
Rene Colato Lainez is the Salvadoran award-winning author of many children’s books. In 1985, René, his shoes, and his father left El Salvador to come to the United States. Now, René lives in Los Angeles, California, where he is a teacher.
Fabricio Vanden Broeck has illustrated a number of books for children. He teaches at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City, where he lives.
When his mother is sent back to Mexico for not having the proper immigration papers, José and his father travel from San Diego, California, to visit her in Tijuana.
The book is coming out in September. It will be published by Children's Book Press. The illustrator is Joe Cepeda. This is such an amazing story!
I reviewed Floating on Mama's Song, today.
http://thehappynappybookseller.blogspot.com/
Loved it. Its crazy good.
Rene, much congrats on the new release. For some reason I thought it was coming out later in the year. I will had it to my new release feature for next Tuesday.
Side by Side/Lado a Lado by Monica Brown was also released today. illus. by Joe Cepeda as well.
Thanks Doret,
Next year Laura, Monica and I can celebrate the first birthday of our books.