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To celebrate the release of Mamá the Alien/Mamá la extraterrestre, author René Colato Laínez will be stopping by the following blogs from August 15th to the 24th! Follow along as René Colato Laínez discusses his writing process, his thoughts on diversity in kidlit, and the recent debate over the term “illegal alien.”Below is the schedule of the Mamá the Alien/Mamá la extraterrestreBlog Tour:
And in case you missed it, here’s René Colato Laínez’s post about his experience being called an “illegal alien” when he was young.
To find out more about René Colato Laínez and Mamá the Alien/Mamá la extraterrestre, check out his blog and follow him on Twitter. And if you are a blogger interested in being included on this or future blog tours, please reach out to us at publicity [at] leeandlow [dot] com.
1 Comments on MAMÁ THE ALIEN/Mamá la extraterrestre Blog Tour with René Colato Laínez, last added: 8/25/2016
Lee & Low Book Tour: Mamá The Alien/Mamá la said, on 8/21/2016 8:00:00 AM
[…] by Laura Lacámara. We’re proud to highlight Laínez and Lacámara’s work as part of a blog tour organized by one of our favorite publishers, Lee & Low Books. Vamos a Leer is participating […]
From the US presidential candidates to the current situation in Europe, immigration is a hot topic. In our last blog post, we looked at the battle that’s currently going on in the Library of Congress over the term “illegal alien.” Many activists argue that the term is outdated, yet the Library of Congress chose to let it stand. In this guest post, Children’s Book Press author René Colato Laínez talks about his own experiences coming to the US from El Salvador and the label “illegal alien.”
At the 2016 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, librarians passed a resolution urging the Library of Congress to change the subject heading from “Illegal Aliens” to “Undocumented Immigrants.” As the author of the new picture book, Mamá the Alien/ Mamá la extraterrestre, I totally agree. Undocumented Immigrants is a better subject to describe the people who arrived from other countries to live and work in the United States. They are undocumented because they don’t have the right papers to come to this country via an airport or through a border checkpoint entrance. They are also immigrants because they were born in another country. So the term Undocumented Immigrant fits the status of this group of people.
The term “Illegal Aliens” definitely is confusing to many, just like it was to me. Yes, I was an Undocumented Immigrant, and when I arrived in this country, I was called an “Illegal Alien.”
Since I was a small child in my native country of El Salvador, I was taught by my family and teachers that I needed to be a good boy. Especially during that time! There was a civil war in my country. Teachers and priests had been killed and many people would disappear from one day to the next. It was a scary time to grow up, and I always tried to be a good boy.
One afternoon, my fifth grade teacher said, “Soon, you will be teenagers and you have to know that ‘illegal acts’ only take people to jail or the cemetery. You need to do only ‘legal things’ in order to be safe.” Then he asked the class to make a list of “illegal acts” and to write a promise that we would be good citizens to have a better society. In my list I included among other things that using drugs, stealing, and not following the rules were illegal acts. Then I proudly promised never to do anything illegal.
As a result of the civil war in the 1980’s, many Salvadoran families left the country looking for a better life and opportunities. My family was not the exception. My mother left the country at the beginning of the war. In 1985 it was my turn to come the United States.
Soon after I arrived, some children in my new school called all the children who only spoke Spanish “illegals.” I did not understand why they were calling us “illegals.” I asked my father and he explained to me that they called us that because we did not have the right papers to come in an airplane or through the bridge in Tijuana.
I began to understand the term, but it did not make sense to me. In my country only people who had money were able to get papers to come to the United States. Poor people like my family did not have the privilege to get these documents. I did not understand why it was illegal to escape a civil war to look for a better life and opportunities in a country that was safe from war.
As I learned English, I remember our social studies teacher asked us to read the newspapers to write class reports. It was there when I first encountered the term “Illegal Aliens.” I kept reading the article and discovered that people who arrived to this country without the right papers were not only illegals, but were aliens too.
illustration from Mamá the Alien
Every night, after I saw the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, I remember looking at the stars wondering if there was life on another planet. It was the 1980’s and, like everyone, I loved that little alien who wanted to go home. When I saw the stars, I wondered if there were aliens like E.T. and how it would feel to be lost on another planet.
Imagine my surprise to learn that I was also an “alien” and that “aliens” were not only from outer space, but from other countries, too. The word “alien” could have more than one meaning—it was also a synonym for foreigner. But when I looked at both words, even though foreigner was a longer word and harder to pronounce in English, it sounded much better to me than alien. I touched my hands and looked at my face in the mirror. Yes, I spoke another language but I had a face, arms and body just like the other children at school. I did not look like a strange creature from out of space. But being an alien implied that I could not be like other “normal” persons, because I was so different from them.
Years later, thanks to the Amnesty Program in 1989, my family had the opportunity to obtain the right papers to live and work in the United States. When I got my pink resident card, I read the blue words at the top of the card: “RESIDENT ALIEN.” “Wow,” I said to myself, “I am now a resident, but I am still an alien!”
I became a teacher and I was assigned to a bilingual kindergarten/first grade classroom. All of my students spoke Spanish. Many of them were born in the United States and others were like me, from other countries. My goal as a teacher was to teach them to read and write, but also to teach them to be smart children who are proud to be bilingual. In the country where I grew up— and almost everywhere around the world!—speaking other languages and being bilingual is nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, it is a wonderful achievement.
My goal as a children’s books author is to produce strong multicultural children’s literature; stories where minority children are portrayed in a positive way, where they see themselves as heroes, and where they dream and hope for the future. I wanted to write authentic stories of Latin American children living in the United States.
These were the books that I had wanted to read when children called me “Illegal” at school.
In 2016, my newest picture book Mamá the Alien/ Mamá la extraterrestre will be published by Lee & Low Books. In the story, Sofía discovers a Big Secret. She finds a card that belongs to her mother. It has mamá’s picture and the word alien on top of the card. Sofía cannot believe it. Her mother is an alien.
Sofía feels just like me when I discovered that I was also an alien. I am excited that Mamá the Alien/ Mamá la extraterrestre will soon be in the hands of parents, teachers, librarians and children. In this book readers will find out in a humoristic way that we are all children of planet earth. There are no aliens among our families. We can be from different countries but are all human beings.
Come meet René Colato Laínez at ALA this year. He will be signing with LEE & LOW (Booth #1469), as well as participating in a REFORMA panel on bilingual books. You can see our full ALA schedule here.
About René Colato Laínez
Known as “the teacher full of stories,” René Colato Laínez is the Salvadoran author of more than a dozen picture books including ¡Vámonos! Let’s Go! (illustrated by Joe Cepeda, Holiday House), Señor Pancho Had a Rancho (illustrated by Elwood Smith, Holiday House), and The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Pérez, (illustrated by Tom Lintern, Random House). His new picture book, Mamá the Alien/ Mamá la extraterrestre (illustrated by Laura Lacamara) will be available this summer.
In 2015, René was awarded the Premios Actitud El Salvador Award. He has received many awards and honors including International Latino Book Award, The Américas Award Commended Title, International Reading Association Teacher’s Choice Award, and Tejas Star Book Award List.
René is a graduate of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults and a faculty member of Sandra Cisneros Macondo Writers Group. He is a bilingual elementary teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School, one of Los Angeles Unified School District’s most innovative schools. He is also a columnist for LA BLOGA, the Latino literature blog and LOS BLOGUITOS the blog for children learning to speak Spanish. He has appeared on Univision and Telemundo, and is a regular participant at conferences and book festivals in the United States and Latin America.
Macondista Rene Colato Lainez recently visited his native country, El Salvador, as a featured author. Read about his visit!
The Fifth Children's Poetry Festival in El Salvador
by Rene Colato Lainez
As a child in El Salvador, I loved to visit the old National Library and read books. I would wonder about the authors whose books I would read. Where they nearby or did they live far away? Were they young or old? How could they have written all those wonderful words that I so enjoyed reading?
Then one day, when I was living in Los Angeles, I saw on TV and read in the newspaper that an earthquake had destroyed the National Library. I was a sad to know that I was enjoying the public library in Los Angeles while the children in El Salvador no longer had a library, the place that I had loved to visit.
Years later, the library in El Salvador was rebuilt in a place that used to be a bank and was named after the Salvadoran writer Francisco Gavidia.I wondered if one day, I would be able to visit this new library.
I never dreamed that one day I would, in fact, visit this library, and not as a patron, but as a featured author! I am so privileged that now as an author, I can go back every year to my native country and read my books at the annual Children's Poetry Festival in San Salvador which is hosted by this library.The festival is organized by Salvadoran children's book author Jorge Argueta and his wife Holly Ayala in San Francisco and author Manlio Argueta and the National Library in San Salvador.
At the festival, the children were very excited to meet authors and poets. Some were local authors, such as Silvia Elena Regalado, Alberto Pocasangre, Jorgelina Cerritos, Ricardo Lindo and Manlio Argueta.Other authors came from abroad, such as Jorge Argueta, Mara Price, Margarita Robleda and myself.
Since some of my books are about Salvadoran children (Waiting for Papá, René Has Two Last Names, My Shoes and I and I am René, the Boy) I was able to connect with the children at the festival through my books. The children there could see themselves, their culture and their country in my books. I told them that dreams do come true. When I was a kid in El Salvador, I had two dreams: to become a teacher and to be an author. Now my dreams are a reality because I believed in myself, did my best and did not give up. Children looked at me with sparkles of hope in their eyes. They told me that they will also reach for their dreams, and they were so proud to meet me.
As the children were listening to my books, I could see my own reflection in their eyes. I could see the young boy who had loved visiting the library, enjoyed reading books and wondered about authors.
The spirit of Macondo is to give back to our communities. I am so happy that I am giving "mi granito de arena" to the children of El Salvador. Many of these children are from rural areas where their parents work hard to provide for them and often there is not enough money to buy books or school supplies.
At the end the festival, each child received a festival tote bag with school supplies and gifts, and they also enjoyed a delicious lunch. I am so happy to instill in them the love of books!
0 Comments on The Fifth Children's Poetry Festival in El Salvador as of 12/17/2014 12:44:00 AM
Macondista Rene Colato Lainez is celebrating his 10th year anniversary as a published author. Congratulations to Rene, and here's to many more years and many more books!
Ten Wonderful Years
By Rene Colato Lainez
At the end of 1999 many people were setting goals to accomplish in the new millennium. I was one of them. At the time, I was already an elementary teacher and had written several books to share with my students. I still remember those "classic books" that my students enjoyed reading such as, "Fabiola, Fabiola", "El número uno", "Un cuento de colores."
My students enjoyed my books so much that I began to wonder what I had to do in order to publish my work. I wanted to see my name on the cover of a book. I met children's book authors Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy at the teacher's writing workshop "Teachers in the Classroom." They read some of my books and told me that yes, my work was publishable! Then I met the wonderful macondista, Amada Irma Pérez. She shared the submission guidelines of her publisher, Children's Book Press, and told me to give it a try. She told me that some day in the near future we could be signing books together.
At that time, this was a sueño. After meeting Alma Flor, Isabel, and Amada, I set my own goal, to submit my manuscripts for publication. I started to submit my stories in March 2001. Soon, I received my first rejection letter. It was painful to read it but on the bottom of the letter someone had printed, "Your story has a big heart. We wish you luck."
I did not give up and 2001 was a year of rejection letters. I joined SCBWI, took some creative writing classes and wrote new stories. In the summer of 2002, I received an email from Arte Público Press, asking me for revise my manuscript with the promise that they might publish it if they liked the revision. I made the changes and by October 2002, I had a contract for Waiting for Papá.
I remembered the day, I had a flu and fell sleep holding the contract. When I woke up, I looked at
my chest wondering if the contract was just a dream. But it was still there. I read it again and shouted "I will have a book! I am an author!".
The book was published on October 31, 2004. Now 10 years later, I have written 9 children's books, a story in an anthology, 6 books for elementary reading programs and many poems and short stories for a children's magazine, Revista Iguana. I love writing children books and I have more coming out soon.
I organized a celebration party for my anniversary. It was a costume party and many friends came wearing costumes from characters of my books. Of course, I was René, the boy!
0 Comments on Ten Wonderful Years As A Published author as of 11/26/2014 4:02:00 AM
Nursery rhymes are considered an important source of cultural heritage. Through music, individuals can experience joy, hope, honesty, and friendship.Señor Pancho Had a Rancho is written by Salvadorean award-winning author René Colato Laínez and humorously illustrated by Elwood Smith. Colato Laínez takes young readers through an incredible bilingual music journey to the farm along with Old McDonald and Señor Pancho. Old McDonald speaks English and his animal, too. Old McDonald’s animals make enthusiastic voices in the farm. The cow moos, the rooster crows cock-a-doodle-doos, the dog woofs, the sheep baas, the horse neighs, and the chick peeps. On the other hand, Señor Pancho speaks Spanish and his animals, too. They greet Señor Pancho like this: la vaca says muu, el gallo sings quiquiriquí, el perro says guau guau, la oveja pronounces a high bee bee, el caballo says a noisy jii jii, and el pollito a soft pío pío here and there. Both farmers and their animals have a great time together, but at the end of the day, Old McDonald and Señor Pancho realize they are not as distinct as they seem when they first meet. Instead, they discover more things in common that allow them to spend the rest of the evening dancing and singing E-I-E-I-O and cha-cha-cha- cha-cha. The moral of Señor Pancho Had a Rancho is that in order to have fun and be friends, one needs to learn how to embrace each other’s differences. Visit your local library to read more amazing stories. ¡Adiós!
0 Comments on Señor Pancho Had a Rancho as of 5/28/2014 2:33:00 AM
My bilingual book From North to South/ Del norte al sur, illustrated by Joe Cepeda, is back in print & now available in paperback edition. The book is available at http://www.leeandlow.com/
Thanks to all readers who had emailed me asking for the book. It is great to know that it has touched many lives.
Here are some emails.
"Like you, I am an elementary school teacher. Most of the students in my class are Latino and, of course, immigration and deportations are huge issues. I've been trying to purchase your book From North to South but have been unable to do so. It seems like it's not selling anywhere! Do you know how I can get 6 copies of that book?"
"From North to South is truly a deeply moving book and so important in our community. One of my grad students used it with families and their response was very heartfelt as one of the grandmothers was living the situation with her son who was deported. The grandmother is caring for her grandchild left behind."
"Thank you so much for writing From North to South. It's so important for children to understand why they are separated from their parents. The numbers are only increasing, unfortunately.
My fiance was recently removed to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I bought your book and took it to him last time I was there. He wrote inside the book, and I mailed it to his children for their Christmas present. Recently, I was at an immigration conference (I work in the advocacy field) and spoke to an attorney who is working with several mothers who have been removed. I recommended the book and she bought a few and mailed them to Guatemala for the parents to write in for their children. Anyhow I thought you'd enjoy knowing that the book is making an impact in the lives of children."
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
Review by Ariadna Sánchez
From North to South is written by René Colato Laínez and tenderly illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Colato Laínez’s story portrays the struggle of hundreds of immigrant families who suffer because of their legal status in the United States. From North to South shows the challenges and effects of family separation while dreams and hopes are abruptly stopped by the border fence.
José and his parents live in San Diego, California. One day, José’s mom is arrested and deported to Tijuana, Mexico during a raid in the factory where she works. After weeks of being away from his mother, José and his father finally had the opportunity to go to Tijuana, Mexico to visit her mother at a shelter called Centro Madre Assunta.*
As soon as José sees his mother, he desperately runs into her mother’s arms. This event brings relief to the whole family and their broken hearts. José and his parents spend a very special weekend at Centro Madre Assunta. As a one big family, José and his mother spend some time with other children and women that are waiting to reunite with their loved ones on the other side of the border. They play games, plant seeds, eat, and rejoice for being part of this big family at Centro Madre Assunta. José’s dad is a legal permanent resident, so this means that José’s mom will soon be getting her legal status.
When it was time to say farewell to his mother, the sun also began to hide behind the mountain. As his mother read a story, José fell asleep on his mother lap. This very painful separation marks José’s family forever. Like a giant magnet, “the north” pulls José and his father back to San Diego while “the south” holds his mother back in Tijuana.Time and hope are her best allies to calm her broken heart.
Remember reading gives you wings!!!
*Centro Madre Assunta is a shelter located in Tijuana, Mexico. Centro Madre Assunta provides a refuge for women and children who have been deported or are trying to cross the border to meet again with their relatives in the United States. For more information about the shelter visit the following links:
Contact: Paul Samuelson, Random House Children's Books, 212.782.8875
Pat Mora's works reflect the cultural heritage of Mexican-American and U.S. Latinas and Latinos through her children's books, poetry, and nonfiction. Her writing, and the art that is found in her picture books, reflects the beauty and cultural diversity of the Hispanic-American experience, and nowhere is this more evident than in her forthcoming picture book. Read the full press release.
The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher Knopf Books for Young Readers/ Random House Hardcover ISBN 978-0375868382, $16.99 Library Binding ISBN 978-0375968389, $19.99
La hermosa Señora: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Spanish edition Library Binding ISBN 978-0375968402, $19.99 Dragonfly Books Paperback ISBN 978-0375868405, $8.99
Every December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers together to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road to church.
On his way, Juan Diego sees a beautiful Lady at the top of a hill. She tells Juan Diego to go to the bishop and ask him to build a special church for her. But the bishop doesn't believe that Juan Diego has seen the Lady; he asks for a sign. Again the Lady sends Juan Diego, and again the bishop asks for a sign. Until finally, she provides one: her shining image on Juan Diego's cloak for everyone to see.
Advance Praise "Regardless of your beliefs, the tale of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a fascinating one, and Mora gives it a warm treatment befitting the beloved material. A framing device aims the story at young readers: two little girls look at a small statue of the Virgin Mary and ask Grandma Lupita, "Who's that pretty lady?" So begins the tale: Juan Diego, the humble Aztec villager who, in December 1531, encountered a beautiful, floating woman who asked him to get the local bishop to build her a church. After the bishop demanded proof, the woman revealed to Diego a field of roses blooming despite the snow. When Diego unfolded his cloak to show the bishop the flowers, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted upon the cactus-fiber cloth. Mora approaches the story without tricks, using simple, delicate language, while Johnson and Fancher employ aged-looking earth-toned paintings and surround them with patterned borders when depicting the past. A two-page author's note fleshes out the tale and describes Our Lady's continuing influence."�Booklist
Bilingual author René Colato Laínez arrived in the U.S. from El Salvador with few possessions, but many dreams for his future. During this program he will talk about his successful journey from his childhood as an immigrant lost in a strange new world, to his life as a teacher and a published author. His presentation is full of music, dreams, and roots, in English and Spanish—and is of course full of stories. Learn his three rules to success: never give up, study hard, and believe in yourself.
Colato Laínez is the Salvadoran award-winning author of I Am René, the Boy; Waiting for Papá; and many other books that feature Latin American children learning about cultural identity. His picture books have been finalists for the Tejas Star Book Award, given special recognition by the Paterson Prize, and earned the International Latino Book Award. He was named as one of the “Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch (and Read)” by latinostories.com.
In anticipation of the new 2013 Americas Latino Festival to take place inBoulder, October, 2013, a preview event will be launched today, October 6th, 2012 on theUniversity of Colorado Boulder campus.
The preview event features a presentation by festival director Irene Vilar, a Guggenheim Fellow and Latino Book Award winner, and a talk by best-selling author Luis J. Rodriguez, author of Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A., recognized as a major figure in contemporary Chicano literature.
The program includes a piano recital of Music across the Americas, a musical intermezzo of the Colombian folkloric group Tucandirá, and a performance of Denver Sound band Slim Cessna’s Auto Club. All events take place inside the Black Box theater of the ATLAS Institute building on campus. Events are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Slim Cessna’s Auto Club concert, which will be recorded for Rocky Mountain PBS Channel 6 as part of the newly released Boulder Box Set series. Tickets for that event can be purchased at $20/$50 through www.americaslatinofestival.org.
The America for the Arts festival will take place October 3-6, 2013 at the University of Colorado Boulder. Over 75 speakers in the areas of human rights and justice, conservation, science, literature, music, visual arts, and film will participate in this event committed to promoting a panamerican consciousness and cross cultural understanding. The 2013 region: Mexico & the Caribbean. Theme: The Exhaustion of the Earth.
Among those confirming attendance for the 2013 event are: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Junot Diaz, best-selling authors Isabel Allende, Mayra Santos Febres, and Cristina Garcia,
Nicaraguan poet Ernesto Cardenal, Guggenheim Fellow and International Literature Award Winner Daniel Alarcon, author and film director Lucia Puenzo, Babelfilm director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, The Future of Food producer DeborahGarcia, actor and film producer Benicio del Toro, Guggenheim Fellow Laura Restrepo, Pulitzer Prize winner playwright Nilo Cruz, Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and NPR Latino USA anchor Maria Hinojosa, Latin Grammy Award winner Nestor Torres, PBS NewsHour anchor Ray Suarez, and McArthurGenius Grant fellows: installation artist Pepe Osorio, percussionist Dafnis Prieto, jazz saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenon, photographers Camilo Jose Vergara and Susan Meiseles, and Nobel Laureates Derek Walcott and Mario Vargas Llosa. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mirta Ojitowill cover the event for the national press.
For questions concerning donations and sponsorship, contact: [email protected].
Rudy Ch. Garcia will be joining fellow Blogueros Daniel Olivas, author of The Book of Want and children's books author René Colato Laínez (his latest,
Let's Play Football / Juguemos al futból
) at the Latino Book & Family Festival, next Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, on the Calif. State University campus, Dominguez Hills.
Olivas' panels: Writing in Multiple Genres (10:00am) and How To Get Published (1:00, Garcia, too!).Laínez' panels: Using Multicultural Literature in the Home & Classroom (10:00am) and What's New in Children's Picture Books (1:00). Garcia will also be on the Great Young Adult Fiction panel (3:00). This year the event is being held in conjunction withLa Feria Es El Momento - Edúcalos, presented by KMEX Univision. Check the program at the event for readings or signings.
If you don't make that, you can catch Garcia's Reading & Signing of his Chicano fantasy novel, The Closet of Discarded Dreamsat Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural,13197-A Gladstone Ave. in Sylmar, Califas, on Sunday Oct. 14, 2:00-3:00. Check here for other last-minute L.A. and Texas appearances.
After that, Garcia heads to San Anto, Austin & Houston, Oct. 25-31 on his book tour: River Oaks Bookstore, Fri. Oct. 26 in Houston; and Southwest Workers Union, Sun. Oct. 28 and Palo Alto College, Tue. Oct. 30 in San Anto.
On a planet-wide, historical scale, ascending to the cima of Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Sun [something I did when it was still permitted and the vista wasn't marred by the effrontery of having to look down at a WalMart] makes you realize the awesomeness of one of the Siete Maravillas of the World. Others have told me how visits to Machu Picchu similarly impressed themselves into memory. Unforgettable.
What most of us regularly experience outside of vacations or treks rarely reaches such heights, being of a smaller scale, but maybe that imparts them with a more unique charm, since the scale acts to concentrate the experience, the way a magnifying glass focuses sunlight--short of grandiose or monumental--but making for a more personal experience. Like watching the birth of your child in a delivery room, or maybe the feelings Melinda Palacio underwent when she read from her first published novel to an Arizona audience last week. Exhilaration, internalized, even if surrounded by sixty people in the same room.
Last Friday, me and my eighteen first-grade bilingual students were privileged to experience one of those smaller wonders. René Colato Laínez, in Denver for the REFORMA Nat. Conf., kindly agreed to visit the elementary school where I work, along with Mara Price who shared her book El Chocolate de Abuelita. Mara gave us Maya history, the discovery of chocolate and made the kids hungry for more than treats.
In Rene's thirty-minute presentation, largely in Spanish, he burst the envelope of what I've seen of author readings. René pranced and danced, he sang, chimed, and theatrically stroked us with descriptions and quotings from his books, primarily The Tooth Fairy meets El Ratón Perez. Accompanied by a powerpoint of his making, René transported us his audience to a small moment where entertainment was left behind and wonderment took us elsewhere.
On May a group of 3rd grade Latino students critiqued my book My Shoes and I. You can read the critique here.
Muchas gracias niños and muchas gracias to maestro Rudy Garcia for your words and lindas palabras for My Shoes and I.
The students also sent me some questions. With mucho placer, here are my answers. :)
BryanG: How did you ever do this wonderful book? Ever since I was trying to publish my first book, I wanted to write my story of crossing three borders. Yay! Now it is a book!
Have you gone through these things in your life? This is my real journey from El Salvador to the United States. All the incidents in the book happened to me. I can still remember the dogs chasing me and discovering the holes on my shoes.
Nancy: What inspired you to do this book and how did you think of so many good ideas? My journey to the United States was my inspiration to write this book. This journey and my life as a new immigrant child in the United States are my treasures of inspiration. Every time I want to write a new story, I look into my treasures and always find great stories.
Marianay: How did you come up with the story? I lived the story. A famous Latin American author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, wrote that you have to live in order to tell the story. Writing this book was like writing in my own personal journal.
Adal: Where did you get all this information? I got the information while I was walking, taking buses and crossing borders. The journey was scary and exciting at the same time. Scary because you never know what can happen on the road and exciting because I was going to see Mamá and escaping war. Every moment was recorded in my mind.
Lesley: Did you really need to cross the border when you were young? Yes, because we did not have the right papers to fly to the United States. My family was poor in my country and the only way to come to the United States was to cross three borders.
Questions from several kids: Do you like sad or happy endings? I like happy endings because at the end of every book, I want to know that the main character will be fine or that there is hope to accomplish his/her dreams, but sometimes sad endings teach us valuable lessons. We can always learn from positive and negative experiences.
Do you ever write scary stories? Yes, I do! In college I wrote the short story Blood Tears
1 Comments on My Shoes and I- Interview by 3rd-grade students, last added: 6/29/2011
My sincerest thanks again to René for helping the 26 Latino students in deepening and experiencing something that all kids benefit from--communicating and communing with an author while reading his new book. And once more, as an experienced bilingual teacher, I highly recommend My Shoes & I to every teacher, Latino or not, who works with any students, to help them connect to the immigrant experience. Maestro RudyG
Hola La Bloga readers, today I want to share some curriculum guides developed for my books. You can use these ideas in the classroom or at home.
From North to South/Del Norte al Sur
A picture book (suggested for ages 4-8 and older), From North to South/Del Norte al Sur (by Rene Colato Lainez) tells the story of Jose and his Papa, who are going to visit Jose’s mother who is living just across the border in Tijuana, after being arrested at work for not having papers giving her permission to work in the United States.
Download the Discussion Guide by Cheryll Wallace for From North to South.
Cheryll Wallace is a Religious Education Director at First Unitarian Church of Omaha, former PSD Board member, and leader of the PSD GRACE (Growing Racial And Cultural Equity) Team.
The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez
Move over, Tooth Fairy! El Ratón Pérez is in town!
Most children in the U.S. are familiar with the Tooth Fairy, but children in Spain and Latin America grow up with a different tradition. In these regions, an adventurous mouse, El Ratón Pérez, collects children’s lost teeth from their pillows.
This curriculum guide was created by LEIGH COURTNEY, Ph.D. She teaches first and second grade in the Global Education program at a public elementary school in San Diego, California. She holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in education, with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction.
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!
Follow the virtual book tour and you can be the lucky winner of a signed copy of this wonderful bilingual book. Leaving a comment on any of the tour's host sites enters you in the drawing to win a copy of Floating on Mama’s Song! So I hope you will check out all the stops on the tour:
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.
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.
When I came from El Salvador, I brought a backpack full of sueños. But could these dreams become a reality in a new country?
I created this video in San Antonio at the Macondo Writer's Workshop. Sandra Cisneros invited the talented Agnes Chavez to teach a digital workshop. This is the final result!
Playing Lotería and ¡BINGLéS!
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.
From North to South/ Del Norte al Sur
Univision 34
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!
Sueños
This is my video in Spanish. Gracias: Macondo, Sandra Cisneros y Agnes Chavez
Writing a picture book is fascinating. The author is just one parent. When you write the manuscript, you make images in your head of your protagonist, his/her family and his/her environment. After signing the contract, you need to wait to know who the other parent of your book will be, the illustrator. Soon, you discovered his/her name and then you may have a clear idea of how your book will look like.
These are the final illustrations of From North to South, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Images provided by Children's Book Press.
Then the book is born. It is time to the delivery. But instead of going to the hospital and waiting for the doctor, you stay at your front door and wait for the postman or postwoman.
You hear the knock knock or ding dong or a "Good afternoon." And surprise!
You look at the box and wonder, "Can this be the BOX. The one I am waiting for?" So you look at the label.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. Yes, this is the box. But you need to open it, just to be real sure.
Then you know. It is not a dream. It is true. Finally the picture of the proud parent.
3 Comments on From North to South/ Del Norte al Sur, last added: 8/4/2010
Very intesting and indeed fascinating post.To be frank I was lost a bit at the start, but managed to understand we were talking about a book Anyway, it's a wonderful way of presenting the work.
As Ramos mentioned yesterday: "I'll see some of you at Part 2 of the Colorado All-Star New Mexico and Tejano Music Festival at Denver's Edelweiss Club, featuring Next In Line of Commerce City, Richard Baca & Sierra Gold from Pueblo, and The Rick Garcia Band."
My wife Carmen and I did see him, and his wife Flo there and the vato wasn't kidding--it was a kick-ass baile. We left at 11:00 before the third band, but my legs were already worn out from trying to keep up with the hot sounds, anyway. Next up will be The King of New Mexico Music, TOBIAS RENE. Tickets available at EDELWEISS CLUB, 6495 Monaco, Commerce City Colo. and RICK'S TAVERN, 6762 Lowell Boulevard, Denver, 303-427-3427
Ramos also mentioned, "I may bump into some of you at the driveway party Saturday night." I'm probably going, but need some help. Anybody know where I can get some permanent marker chalk to christen that new driveway?
Alarcón (& La Bloga) strike deep in the Ariz. heartland
Mari Herreras of the Tucson Weeklyran an interview this week of Francisco X. Alarcón: "Moved by student protests in Phoenix against SB 1070, Alarcón created a Facebook page called Poets Responding to SB 1070. Many of the poems from the page have been republished on La Bloga at labloga.blogspot.com.
In the interview, Alarcón explains: "Michael Sedano from Los Angeles is an editor of La Bloga, a blog for Latino/Chicano artists, poets and writers. The past eight weeks, we started to select poems, and every Tuesday, five to seven poems are selected and posted on La Bloga. Now we're hitting a critical mass of poets, so we want to do a hard copy. The University of California Press has expressed an interest, but I haven't presented them with a proposal ... but we've come to a decision that this is the next step."
Any billionaire out there want to underwrite free copies for anybody with an Ariz. driver's license--regardless of what kind of shoes they're wearing?
0 Comments on Bandas, Arizona, vampiros & René's apellido as of 1/1/1900
Congratulations to all the authors who were recognized by the International Latino Book Awards. My bilingual book René Has Two Last Names/René tiene dos apellidos received Honorable Mention in the Best Children's Picture Book (Bilingual) category. ¡Ajúa!
I received the great news at my Facebook page. My friend Yuyi Morales posted the link of 2010 International Latino Book Awards Winner List. My friend Linda Rodriguez also congratulated me for the honorable mention. This was a great birthday present for me.
René Has Two Last Names/ René tiene dos apellidos has received three recognitions this year. Thanks to all the readers and award committees.
Honorable Mention: Best Bilingual Children's Book- International Latino Book Awards
2010 Skipping Stones Honor Award
2010-2011 Tejas Star Book Award List
To learn more about René Has Two Last Names visit the book's website at www.renesbooks.com
WHAT: Meet René Colato Laínez, Salvadoran award winning author, and Priscilla Burris, Children's Book Author and Illustrator at the Arbitron Children's Reading Corner during Fiesta Broadway on April 25th. Both will sign and give away copies of their books compliments of Arbitron! Rene will read aloud from his new book "The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez" and will sign and give away copies of the book. Priscilla will do LIVE illustrations, sign and give away copies of her illustrated books.
WHEN: Sunday April 25, 2010 11am-3pm
WHERE: Broadway, between Broadway and Spring on First Street, Los Angeles, CA (Booth 428 &429).
BACKGROUND: Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) brings its Children's Reading Corner to Fiesta Broadway, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world. For the second year, Arbitron is proud to bring award winning authors to sign and distribute copies of their books to local children. The Arbitron Children's Reading Corner reinforces community values and the importance of connecting children with cultural heritage through reading and offers Arbitron the opportunity to reach out to the local community at a grassroots level.
"It is important that we bring our Children's Reading Corner to the largest Hispanic event in the largest Hispanic market in the US," according to Stacie de Armas, Director, Multicultural Marketing at Arbitron. "This program was designed to reach out to families and talk about the importance of audience measurement in their communities, and let them know that they can truly have a voice by participating in research when called upon "
Each child in attendance leaves with a new book, compliments of Arbitron, as well as Arbitron branded pro-literacy materials.
Since its inception in 2009, approximately 1,000 children have visited the Arbitron Children's Reading Corner and have received free books and educational games at various events throughout the country.
3 Comments on Arbitron Children's Reading Corner presents René Colato Laínez & Priscilla Burris at Fiesta Broadway, last added: 4/22/2010
Here we go again with more Latino rodents.A 2010 version of speedy gonzales.. A rat..with a hispanic name- Perez hanging out with a peter pan like blonde haired white girl called the tooth fairy...at least she is human like.. that's really going to do wonders to the psyche and self esteem of Latino kids.. ....a Latino ..a rat!!! in Hispanic culture the rat is considered a foul,filthy disgusting animal..a vermin pestilence.. give me a break! el raton Perez..???
Anonymous said, on 4/22/2010 5:28:00 AM
Re: Chicano future tense's (CFT) comment above:
CFT seems to think Laínez invented El Raton Perez, like Madison Ave. invented Speedy Gonzalez. Not so.
Almost every week one of my 1st grade mexicanitos will show off a smile with a new little window and then relate how El Ratoncito left a dollar in exchange for the missing tooth.
About all Laínez invented was the surname Perez; El Raton is part of Mexican, at least, folklore.
The idea that CFT states: "Hispanic" culture--I'm not sure which "Hispanic" culture is referred to--considers the rat "foul, filthy, disgusting, vermin" should not be used to denigrate another culture.
Thus Laínez fictionalized existing "fairy tales." and shouldn't be criticized anymore than someone would criticize the Brothers Grimm for having a princess kissed by a frog--not one of the more unfilthy, undisgusting species.
I assume CFT wasn't aware of this historical basis for El Raton. Which makes me wonder: if the Tooth Fairy didn't take his(?) baby teeth, then who did?
Also El Raton Perez exists since the middle ages. I did not created it. El Raton had been with us for many years. He is known as Raton Perez is Spain and most South American countries. In Mexico is is known as El raton de los dientes and in Central America as el raton. His official name is Raton Perez.
When I lost my first tooth in El Salvador, a fantastic ratón (mouse) took it. He was the same ratón that took my mamá’s, papá’s and abuelito’s teeth. Every child knew him. He was El Ratón Pérez and in exchange for a healthy tooth, I always received a surprise. Sometimes, I received money and other times toys and even tickets to the circus! I always eagerly awaited the next visit from El Ratón Pérez.
When I moved to the US as a boy, I wrote an essay about El Ratón Pérez. My teacher called me to her desk and asked me what I was trying to write. I told her all about El Ratón Pérez and she said, “Oh, you are writing about the Tooth Fairy.” She crossed all the Ratones Pérez and asked me to change then to Tooth Fairies. I could not envision El Ratón Pérez with wings and carrying a magic wand. Where was El Ratón Pérez?
I became a teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School in Los Angeles. One afternoon, I heard the teacher next-door running and screaming through the hallway, “Ah, one of my students has a mouse in his room! I need to go to the office and call social services.”
The teacher was ready to faint from the impression. I asked her what was happening and she told me that one of her students lost his first tooth and that a mouse came to his room last night and took it. But this was not the worst part. All the other students said they knew the mouse, too.
“The boy said he wants the mouse to visit his house every night!” the teacher said.
“I knew that mouse and as a child, I also waited for his visits.” I told the other teacher. “ He is El Ratón Pérez, the Hispanic tooth collector. Last night this famous and adventurous mouse visited your student because he lost his first tooth.” The teacher started to laugh and did not go to the office. Instead, she went to celebrate with her student.
After this incident, I wondered what would happen if the Tooth Fairy met El Ratón Pérez for the first time? What would they say to each other? Would they get along? Read and find out. My new book, The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez, was released by Tricycle Press/Random House on March 23, 2010.
“A marvelous story merging cultures seamlessly and with great humor. Adults will enjoy this read-aloud just as much as kids.” --- Sandra Cisneros, award-winning author of The House on Mango Street
3 Comments on Story Behind the Story: The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez, last added: 4/1/2010
I read the Playing Lotería book to my kids. (They are half Salvadoran.) I hope to see your take on El Ratón Pérez meeting the Tooth Fairy at my local library. It sounds hilarious but is also a really great message for kids trying to balance two cultures.
Alvaro Huerta said, on 3/31/2010 7:26:00 PM
Congratulations on your new book, Rene!
Not only are you a great writer, but you're also a positive role model for all kids from America's barrios.
This April 23rd and 24th celebrate the rich traditions and diversity within the Latino cultures at the National Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature Conference. Discover how to meet the informational and literacy needs of Latino children via high quality, culturally-relevant literature and the latest educational strategies. Engage in unique networking opportunities with librarians, teachers, educators, and researchers from across the nation as we explore how to make intercultural connections and serve this rapidly growing, uniquely diverse population.
As the number of Latino children and their families continues to increase, so does the need for understanding these diverse cultures. This exclusive conference provides a forum for sharing current research and practice addressing the cultural, educational, and informational needs of Latino children and their families. At the same time, the conference also examines the many social influences that Latino children’s literature has upon the developing child.
Beginning Friday April 23rd at 1 p.m. on the historical University of Alabama campus, nationally-recognized Latino children’s literature expert Oralia Garza de Cortés will launch the recurring conference theme “Connecting Cultures and Celebrating Cuentos” with a powerful keynote address. Participants will then have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions related to Latino children’s and young adult literature, library services to Latinos, and literacy education for Latino children. Immediately following these small group sessions, award-winning Latina author Monica Brown and award-winning Latino artist Rafael López will discuss the collaborative synergy behind their work.
Friday evening, award-winning Latina author and storyteller Carmen Tafolla will celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), Latino children’s literature, and cultural literacy with a free community event at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. This Noche de Cuentos (Evening of Stories) begins at 7 p.m. and includes storytelling, refreshments, and free books for the niños.
On Saturday April 24th, Dr. Monica Brown energizes participants and opens the day’s events with a keynote address at Mary Hewell Alston Hall. Breakout sessions for both practitioners and researchers as well as graduate and undergraduate students will follow and include a variety of topics related to Latino children’s literature and literacy. Research posters will also be on display throughout the conference.
Lunch will be served at the Ferguson Center and will be followed by an engaging keynote at Mary Hewell Alston Hall with award-winning artist and illustrator Rafael López. Afterwards breakout sessions will include topics related to education, literacy, storytelling, and library services for Latino children. Storyteller and award-winning author Dr. Carmen Tafolla will bring down the house with a grand finale performance followed by a book signing with conference authors. Attendees will hav
1 Comments on Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos: National Latino Children's Literature Conference, last added: 3/10/2010
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.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH/ DEL NORTE AL SUR
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!
3 Comments on My Shoes and I, last added: 2/4/2010
If you agree, then please link to me using these details:
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Please don't forget to send me the title of your website after you place my link so I can do the same in less than 24 hours, otherwise you can delete my link from your site.
Over on Latino Books Examiner you can read more about La Bloga's own René Colato Laínez and his new children's book, René has two last names.
And check out Mayra Calvani's interview where Colato talks about his books, his writing habits, and his road to becoming a published author.
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Call for essays on Latin American literaries
Got something you've always wanted to share about where La Raza Cósmica is now? Never found a home for your piece on the Latino hero Subcomandante Marcos? Now's your chance:
ANTIQUE CHILDREN, which bills itself as "a mischievious literary arts journal," is preparing a special issue for February on Latin American Writers. (When you go to the site, click on "Quarterly" to see this info.)
"We’re looking for writers to pen creative essays on Latin American Writers or review their books. You may write a piece of fiction but it must envelop one of these writers and their selected book."
The writers and books include, among many others, Jose Donoso - Hell Has No Limits; Juan Rulfo -Pedro Paramo; José Vasconcelos Calderón - The Cosmic Race; Guatemalan writer Rigoberta Menchu; and Subcomandante Marcos.
Deadline is January 20, 2010, but for details you need to click here.
You'll also find the story Kind of Blue by La Bloga's own Daniel A. Olivas there.
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1 Comments on News on La Bloga contributors; Call for Essays, Chica stories; & Latino poetry wanted, last added: 12/5/2009
My guest today is children's author Rene Colato Lainez, who's touring the blogosphere with Latino Book Tours this week. In this interview, Colato talks about his books, his writing habits, and his road to becoming a published author. I hope you'll enjoy the interview!
About the author
René Colato Laínez is the award-winning author of I Am René, the Boy, Waiting for Papá, Playing Lotería, René Has Two Last Names and The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. His picture books have been honored by the Latino Book Award, the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, the California Collection for Elementary Readers, the Tejas Star Book Award Selection and the New Mexico Book Award. He was named “Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch (and Read)” by latinostories.com. He is a graduate of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults.
It's a pleasure having you here today, Rene. Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself? I am born in El Salvador. Due to the civil war, my father and I left the country in 1985 to reunite with my mother in Los Angeles, CA. I had two dreams: to become a teacher and a writer. I did not give up my dreams. Dreams come true.
Do you have another job besides writing? I have been a bilingual teacher for seventeen years at Fernangeles Elementary School in Sun Valley, CA. Working with students is wonderful. They are a great source of inspiration.
Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.
My Latest book is René Has Two Last Names. In El Salvador, like in most Latin American Countries, people use both the mother and father’s last names as a legal name. I was René Colato Laínez everywhere in El Salvador. In 1985, I received my School ID at Los Angeles High School. When I read my name, I was in shock. My mother’s last name was gone. I was only René Colato. My latest book is autobiographical just like my book I Am René, the Boy. In this new adventure, René works to keep his two last names because both last names represent his heritage.
How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline? I usually write an outline. I know that at least I need 14 scenes to write a picture book. I usually write the first and last scene and then work in the middle of the story. But also my writing is a stream of consciousness. I write about my immigrant experience and my experience about living in two cultures. I write from my heart. I will say that many times my heart whispers my stories while I type them in my computer.
What will the reader learn after reading your book? I want the reader to feel proud of both sides of his/her families. We have received many gifts, stories and traditions from them and we are who we are thanks the love and effort of our familia, family.
When writing, what themes do you feel passionate about? I feel passionate about telling the stories of immigrant children and sharing the experiences of living in two cultures. Every day I speak English and español. Read the newspaper and el periódico. Listen to music and música. Living in two cultures is fun and I want to keep sharing my stories with children and adults around the wo
0 Comments on Interview with Children's Author Rene Colato Lainez as of 1/1/1900
Lucha Corpi’s new book, fourth in a series, has captured fans on both coast. Join us on the book tour that will reveal secrets about her writing process and learn how her mysterious PI came to be. This lady is amazing. From reading Greek tragedies to writing mysteries, Lucha Corpi’s life is as intriguing as her PI’s tangled adventures. Haven’t read Corpi? Then start with her first book in the series all the way through to this book for a ride of thrills.
A great mini-review in LIBRARY JOURNAL just came in: Corpi, Lucha. Death at Solstice: A Gloria Damasco Mystery. Arte Publico. 2009. c.240p. ISBN 978-1-55885-547-2
In her fourth outing (after Black Widow’s Wardrobe), Chicana sleuth Gloria Damasco has no idea that the road to finding stolen jewelry in the wine country of California’s Shenandoah Valley will lead to murder, kidnapping, and great danger. Verdict Corpi has constructed a twisting story line that confounds her intelligent detective and the reader at every turn. This will please readers looking for a fast-paced tale with a Hispanic cultural background.
Series of Book by Lucha Corpi
#1 Corpi, Lucha, Cactus blood : a mystery novel Houston, Tex.: Arte Público Press, c1995.
#2 Corpi, Lucha, Black widow’s wardrobe Houston, TX : Arte Público Press, 1999.
#3 Corpi, Lucha, Crimson moon : a Brown Angel mystery Houston, Tex. : Arte Público Press, c2004 Civil rights movements
#4
0 Comments on More Virtual Book Tours as of 1/1/1900
Bienvenidos to the first René Has Two Last Names Virtual Book Tour. Next week, the book and the author will visit several blogs. Make sure to leave your comments to have the chance to get a free copy of the book. If you don't get it one day, keep leaving your comments the next day. Everyday a book will be giveaway. ¡Pasa la voz! Tell your friends!
National 3rd Annual Celebration of Latino Children's Literature Conference Connecting Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos
Save the Date for the Third Annual Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature conference to be held in Tuscaloosa, AL on April 23rd and 24th, 2010. This exciting, two day conference includes performances and appearances by several award-winning Latin@authors/illustrators including Monica Brown, Rafael López, and Carmen Tafolla. The keynote address will be delivered by a nationally-recognized, scholar of Latino Children’s Literature and Multicultural Education.
Conference participants will have a choice of over a dozen breakout sessions on topics related to Latino children’s literature and literacy. As part of the theme “Connecting Cultures and Celebrating Cuentos,” we will host an El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) family and community event on the evening of April 23rd at the local public library. Festivities will include storytelling and free books for the niños.
Registration for this premiere National Latino Children’s Literature Conference is limited and begins January 2010. The call for presentation proposals will be issued in November 2009. For additional information, please contact:
From the US presidential candidates to the current situation in Europe, immigration is a hot topic. In our 
Author René Colato Laínez has organized a two-week virtual book tour for his book, 
[…] by Laura Lacámara. We’re proud to highlight Laínez and Lacámara’s work as part of a blog tour organized by one of our favorite publishers, Lee & Low Books. Vamos a Leer is participating […]