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Watch out Markus Zusak, you may have some competition for my heart!! Rene Colato Lainez has quickly become one of my favorite children's book authors. His books are the type of books I aspire to write. They make me laugh, cry and make me feel all tingly. His latest masterpiece is From North to South. It is a beautiful and timely story. Jose must deal with his mother being sent back to Mexico for not having proper papers. He visits his mother at the Centro Madre Assunta, a shelter for women and children who have recently been deported from the United States. Mr.Colato Lainez paints a tender picture of a child missing his mother and not really understanding the reason they are not together.
"Papa's burnt tortillas are not very tasty," I whispered in Mama's ear. "When are you coming home?"
This is my favorite sentence in the book. Immigration and deportation are issues that we debate and argue about, but for the children it is not a political issue. It's a love issue. It's their mom or dad. They just want their family happily together again.
This is a great book to use in the classroom. I also recommend My Shoes and I.
Go out and get this book and come back tomorrow for my interview with the fabulous Mr. Colato Lainez. Until next time.
** From North to South courtesy of Children's Book Press.**
2 Comments on Picture Book Reviews, last added: 9/29/2010
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Oh dear. This one will wreck me for sure. Thanks for sharing! (also, love the new pictures! balloons!)
Thanks Em. The story is beautiful. Try to check it out.