 Today we celebrate the book birthday of Mari And The Curse of El Cocodrilo. We sat down with Musa Adrianna Cuevas to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about Adrianna's new book: If Mari Feijoo could, she would turn her family’s Peak Cubanity down a notch, just enough so that her snooping neighbor and classmate Mykenzye wouldn’t have anything to tease her about. That’s why this year, there’s no way that Mari’s joining in on one of the big-gest Feijoo family traditions—burning the New Year’s Eve effigy her abuela makes. Only Mari never suspects that failing to toss her effigy in the fire would bring something much worse than sneering words at school: a curse of bad luck from El Cocodrilo. Instead of focusing on her mariachi band tryout, Mari and her friends Keisha and Juan Carlos are racing against the clock to break the curse. But when Mari discovers her family’s gift to call upon their ancestors, she and her friends will have to find a way to work with the unexpected help that arrives from the far corners of Mari’s family tree. Only will it be enough to defeat El Cocodrilo before he makes their last year of elementary school the worst ever and tears their friendship apart?
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 Today we celebrate the book birthday of Countdown for Nochebuena. We sat down with Musa Adriana Hernández Bergstrom to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: This charming, bouncy text that alternates between English and Spanish and counts holiday elements like dancers, singers, and special foods up to twelve—to midnight, when Christmas Eve turns to Christmas and presents are opened!—and back down again, pairs perfectly with its illustrative context clues. In this story, family members young and old are excited to gather in their best festive clothes to celebrate Nochebuena, a Christmas Eve celebration for Latine people around the world. Simple yet lyrical text inspired by the author-illustrator's Cuban American heritage combines with a warm art style perfect for celebrating the holiday.  Cover illustration by Rudy Gutierrez. Today we celebrate the book birthday of Salsa Magic. We sat down with Musa Letisha Marrero to learn all about the inspiration behind her book. But first, a little bit about this book: This middle-grade novel tells the story of 13-year-old Maya Beatriz Calderon Montenegro, whose loud but loving family runs the bustling Cafe Taza in Brooklyn. Maya has vivid recurring dreams where she hears the ocean calling her and sees a strange woman. Chaos ensues when an estranged great aunt from Puerto Rico shows up on their doorstep–and she turns out to be the woman from Maya’s dreams! Titi Yaya is rumored to be a witch, and the children are forbidden to go near her. But Maya, out of curiosity and defiance, learns about her history and the ancient practice of santeria and its pantheon of gods and goddesses. Titi Yaya wants to pass her gift down to Maya. But what will her family say? And which path is Maya’s true destiny?  Cover illustrated by Alejandro Mesa. Join us in celebrating the book birthday for La Noche Before Three Kings Day. We sat down with Musa Sheila Colón-Bagley to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about this book: Inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s "The Night Before Christmas," La Noche Before Three Kings Day is a perfect holiday tale. It’s almost Three Kings Day, and while the grownups prepare a large meal, the kids prepare their shoe boxes for los Reyes to arrive later that night. Will they stay up late enough to wish the Kings a Feliz Día de los Reyes? Or will the magic pass them by? Sing along with a great big familia as they fill up their platos, play their favorite juegos, and wait for the three kings and regalitos to arrive. This enchanting celebration of a beloved holiday is brought to life through lively rhyming dual-lingual text by Sheila Colón-Bagley with festive illustrations from Alejandro Mesa.  Book cover illustrated by Elisa Chavari. Today we celebrate the book birthday of Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena. We sat down with Musa Karla Arenas Valenti to learn about the inspiration behind her book.
But first, a little bit about this book: Celebrated by Kirkus as a "whimsical enchantment," Esperanza Caramelo takes place on the eve of Nochebuena when a spark of magic lights up Lita’s bakery. Esperanza Caramelo opens her eyes. Esperanza is a sugar figurine meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes! A Christmas cake emergency ensues, and time is running out, Will Esperanza and her friends be able to save Nochebuena?  Join us in celebrating the book birthday for Veo, Veo, I See You. We sat down with Musa Lulu Delacre to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about this book series: A heartwarming picture book celebrating essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic that’s also a lively, bilingual game of Veo, Veo (I Spy). Marisol’s mami is the best cook at Rosita’s Cafe! But now, the restaurant is closed. A bad virus—too easy to catch in small, crowded places—is going around. Marisol, Pepito, and Mami still need to go out to bring Mami’s arroz con pollo to housebound Tía Olga and Cousin Johnny. As Marisol and Pepito watch the people working around the neighborhood, who their mother explains have essential work, Marisol thinks of the perfect game to play: Veo, veo… ¿Qué ves, Marisol? I spy…a trash collector. Essential work. Those bins were full! By the time they get home, Marisol has another idea: a way to show the people in her neighborhood that she sees them!  Today we celebrate the book birthday of Piece by Piece: Ernestine's Gift for President Roosevelt. We sat down with Musa Lupe Ruiz Flores to learn all about the inspiration behind the this book.
But first, a little bit about this book series: During the Great Depression Ernestine Guerrero's family didn't have much. The Mexican American teen was so grateful for the government food aid they received in San Antonio, Texas, that she wanted to personally thank President Roosevelt. But how? After seeing the plans for a very difficult woodworking project, she decided she would make it herself and send it to the president. Piece by piece, that's exactly what she did. And the clock case she built remains on display in the Roosevelt Presidential Library to this day. With stunning illustrations from Anna López Real, this picture book tells the inspiring true story of a girl who proved that if you look closely, treasure can be found in unexpected place    Illustrations by Graciela Andrade. Join us in celebrating ¡1,2,3 Baila! series book birthday. We sat down with Musa Delia Ruiz to learn all about the inspiration behind the these books. But first, a little bit about this book series: ¡1,2,3 Baila! is an English-Spanish board book series that introduces primary concepts and Spanish language in a fun and interactive way through Latin dance. Learn number counting with salsa, instruments/sounds with merengue, and manners with cumbia.  Cover illustration by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. Join us in celebrating AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO book birthday! We sat down with Musa Judith Valdés B. to learn all about the inspiration behind the this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion, and the happiness Perro gave him, will always remain. Told with honesty and hope, this heartfelt book is the perfect story for any child coping with loss, and for those who celebrate--or want to learn more about--Día de los Muertos.  Join us in celebrating How to Speak in Spanglish book birthday! We sat down with Musa Mónica Mancillas to learn all about the inspiration behind the this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: In this charming and delightful picture book, Sami shares the joys of Spanglish with his skeptical abuela and diverse community. Sami loves to speak both English and Spanish. But he doesn’t just speak them one at a time. He speaks in Spanglish! Sometimes, he makes brand-new words — like lonche — and sometimes, he puts the languages together in one sentence, like when he’s hungry for jambuergers con papas fritas. But not everyone likes Spanglish. Abuela thinks that Spanish should be spoken at home and English at school. And to make matters more complicated, Sami’s not allowed to write his homework in Spanglish. At first, Sami feels confused and frustrated. But with the support of his family, friends, and neighbors, Sami soon realizes that his unique identity should be celebrated. Hooray, muy bien, Sami! |
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