 Today we celebrate the book birthday of In the Groves, by author-illustrator Andrea Cruz Floren. We sat down with Musa Andrea to learn more about the inspiration behind this book
In the Groves is a whimsical Spanglish picture book about finding belonging in an unlikely place. Clara visits her abuelo and many, many cousins in California every year. And every year, her family tells tall tales about her abuelo’s orange groves: There’s magic! There’s mischief! There’s monstruos! But Clara’s never been to the orange groves. And she’s determined to change that. So when her cousins aren’t looking, Clara sneaks into her abuelo’s truck and makes her way to the orange groves. Once Abuelo spots her, he and Clara have a wondrous time serenading oranges, bravely defending the groves against gophers, and eating some delicious tacos with—WHEW—just a little bit of spice. Soon, Clara has magical tall tales to tell of her own. For she’s no longer just a visitor: She belongs to the groves, and the groves belong to her. Want to learn more about this sweet story? Read on after the link...
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 Today we celebrate the book birthday of Pencil & Eraser: We have a Dull-Emma! We sat down with Musa Jenny Alvarado to learn about the inspiration behind this story. Tell us a little bit about the book: Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-emma!: Fiction Early Graphic Novel
It's the start of a new school year, and Pencil and Eraser are ready for anything. Except when Pencil notices her point has dulled. That's never happened before and she feels...pointless. Stella can't write with a dull pencil. So what can Pencil do? The only answer is to leave the comfort of their desk behind and venture out to find a sharpener. But if Pencil is going on an adventure, she'll need to bring her (reluctant) bestie Eraser along for the ride. Together they'll have to traverse the classroom, scale a mountain-sized desk, enter uncharted territory of the school hallway, and avoid being caught by the janitor. Can Pencil and Eraser manage all that before Stella and her classmates return from recess? Sounds like an adventure.   Today we celebrate the book birthday of Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story / El regalo de abuelita: Un cuento de Día de Muertos. We sat down with by Mariana Ríos Ramírez to learn more about the inspiration behind this book. Tell us a little bit about the book: Julieta is excited for Abuelita's spirit to visit on Día de Muertos. She is determined to find the perfect gift to honor Abuelita and to show how much she misses her. However, her ideas fail one by one and Julieta grows worried. It is only when Julieta embraces the memories she once shared with her abuelita, that she realizes the perfect gift comes from the heart. An uplifting story about both life and death, family, and the threads that connect us, long after we are gone.
This sounds so meaningful...  Today we celebrate the book birthday of Lola, a magical realist middle grade adventure by Karla Arenas Valenti. The beautiful cover and interior art is by Islenia Mil. We sat down with Musa Karla to learn more about the inspiration behind this book.
Tell us a little bit about Lola: This is a story about fear and healing. More precisely, how fear can get in the way of necessary change. This topic is explored through a simmering Narnia-esque tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who’d journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. Ten-year-old Lola’s life has always been touched by magic. Her Mexico City home is built around a towering tree with seasonal blooms that seem almost enchanted, a backyard sandbox reveals the most unusual treasures, and mischievous chaneques scuttle about her house unseen by all but her. Lola has always thought of this kind of magic as an ordinary part of her life, but now she must embrace its extraordinary quality as never before. Ever since The Thing That Happened, Lola’s brother, Alex, has been sick. Lately, however, his condition seems to be getting worse as a growing force ("the Darkness") seems to be closing in on him. At the same time, something has begun eating away at the tree, causing its bright leaves and colorful blossoms to crumble like ash. Lola is sure the two events are related, but how? Seeking a cure, she visits a grocery store oracle who tells her to follow the chaneques down one of their secret passages . . . into a hidden kingdom. Floresta is a land of myths and monsters and marvels untold. And there lies the key to healing Alex. But to save him, Lola must use every bit of her wits and face her deepest fears as she uncovers the devastating truth that lies at the heart of this story. Wow, sounds intriguing! Read more after the link...   Today we celebrate the book birthday of CALL ME ROBERTO! / ¡LLÁMENME ROBERTO! We sat down with Musa Nathalie Alonso to learn about the inspiration behind this book. Tell us a little bit about the book: CALL ME ROBERTO! / ¡LLÁMENME ROBERTO! is a picture book biography about Puerto Rican baseball icon Roberto Clemente that shows the emotional highs and lows of Clemente’s career as he fought bigotry and racism to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. The title is a reference to Clemente’s plea for the media to not anglicize his name to “Bob.” English and Spanish words are intermingled in the text.
Sounds amazing! Follow the link... Today, we're thrilled to share the cover of Frida Kahlo's Flower Crown by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez and beautifully illustrated by Loris Lora. Here's the scoop on Frida Kahlo's Flower Crown: Like a seed / Frida sprouted / And burst through the earth where / the coyotl once foraged. Coyoacán was the place where Frida grew. Told through the language and imagery of the native Mexican flowers and plants comes the life of acclaimed and beloved artist Frida Kahlo. Like a flower, Frida blossomed, wilted, was crushed, survived, and thrived, growing into one of the most celebrated Indigenous painters. This poetic and empowering picture book, written by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez and illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor awardee Loris Lora, features the very flora Frida grew in her garden, bought at the market in her hometown, painted in her famous portraits, and wore proudly in a crown around her head. Back matter includes a labeled, illustrated guide to all the flowers and plants featured in the book, an author’s note, and an activity for kids to make their own flower crown! And now, check out this stunning cover!   Today we celebrate the book birthday of The Three Little Guinea Pigs and the Andean Fox, by Ana Velez. We sat down with Ana to learn more about the inspiration behind this book Everyone’s heard of the three little pigs, but what about the three little guinea pigs?
Way up in the Andes Mountains, Urku, Inti, and Nina have just finished building three new homes when a surprise visitor arrives. It’s Fox, the guinea pigs are quick to judge that he’s up to no good, even though he patiently calls, “Guinea pigs, guinea pigs, come with me. I have something for your family.” In most traditional stories, many a pig has been tricked, so it’s not surprising that the trio wishes to huddle inside. What the guinea pigs don’t see is how the animals are banding together to help them. In the end, it just might take the whole mountain of creatures to show them that things aren’t always as they seem and traditional fairy-tale foes could actually be friends. Set in Andean South America, this fresh, lighthearted twist on a classic tale invites readers to challenge assumptions, embrace community, and trust in teamwork.  Today we celebrate the book birthday of The Beginning of All Things, the exciting second book in Karla Arenas Valenti's chapter book series "Legendarios" (illustrated by Vanessa Morales). We sat down with Musa Karla Arenas Valenti to learn more about the inspiration behind this book.
Tell us a little bit about the book: "Legendarios" is a series pitches as "Magic Tree House" meets "Heroes in Training" inspired by Mexican mythology and following twins, Emma and Martin, whose magical book transports them into ancient legends! In Book 2 (The Beginning of All Things) Emma and Martín are settling into their new home in Chicago and getting ready to start at their new school. When they learn they’ll be in separate classes for the first time, they aren’t sure they can face so much change alone. But when life gets stressful, the siblings now have the perfect escape—into the book of legends! They enter the creation story of when the giant Ometecuhtli made the world. As soon as they arrive, they realize they have a major problem: it takes a magical object to activate Emma’s necklace and open the portal home, but how can they find one when nothing exists yet? It's quite possible Emma and Martín will be stuck at the beginning of time for eternity! Sounds exciting, doesn't it?  Today we celebrate the book birthday of Squawk of Spanish. We sat down with Gabriella Aldeman to learn about the inspiration behind this book. Tell us a little bit about the book: Max isn't confident with his Spanish, especially rolling his Rs, and his cousins always tease him about it. But he loves spending weekends baking with his Spanish-speaking abuela, while Lorito the parrot helps translate. But when Lorito disappears for a day, Max and Abuela must figure out how to communicate. Max's Spanish doesn’t have to be perfect, and Abuela can attempt a little English. Trying is what counts! I can't wait to see what happens...
Today, we're thrilled to share the cover of The Heron Princess (part of the Legendarios chapter book series) by Karla Arenas Valenti and beautifully illustrated by Vanessa Morales. Here's the scoop on The Heron Princess: It’s been a few months since 9 year-old twins, Emma and Martín moved to Chicago. When they first arrived, their family thought outgoing Emma would adjust quickly and shy Martín might have a harder time making friends. But surprisingly, Martín is fitting in just fine, while Emma wants to go back to Mexico more than anything. She might not be able to go back to their previous home, but she can visit Mexico in a magical book of legends! And even better, this time the twins are joined by their abuela as they embark on a new Legendario adventure. The book of legends brings them into the story of Princess Hapunda and Lake Pátzcuaro. When an enemy tribe demands that Hapunda’s father hand her over to them, she faces a difficult choice: go with their enemies or refuse and risk her people’s safety. Can the twins find a way to help the princess out of the tricky situation, or is this a tale without a happy ending? An exciting new book with a cover to match!  |
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