 Today we celebrate the book birthday of Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People by Musa and author-illustrator Aixa Perez- Prado. We sat down with Aixa to learn more about the inspiration behind this book.
Have you ever heard a song that made your heart soar? A canción that captured your corazón? A voice so powerful that it made you feel ready to change the world? This is the story of a singer whose voice sailed through the air like the wings of a condor, inspiring people everywhere! Written and illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado, Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People is the powerful biography of Argentinean folksinger and human rights advocate Mercedes Sosa. Affectionately known as La Negra, Mercedes used her musical talents and powerful voice to speak out against poverty and inequality in her home country. In the face of a cruel dictatorship, Mercedes refused to be silenced. She bravely stepped on stage to lend a "voice to the voiceless" with uplifting songs of empathy and empowerment. Her unforgettable music and messages of hope continue to resonate with people across the world to this day. Want to learn more about this moving story? Read on after the link...  Today we celebrate the book birthday of Agent Unicorn We sat down with Musa Jenny Alvarado to learn about the inspiration behind this story. Tell us a little bit about the book: In Agent Unicorn, Unicorn longs to be a cool, case-crackin’ undercover agent, just like his
hero, Agent Sparrow. And he’s finally gotten his big break—a job at Agent Goat’s Detective Agency! True, he might be sweeping the floors for now, but it’s one step closer to his dream. When Unicorn intercepts the case of a missing pet bird, he leaps into action! He’s sure he’s ready to be a detective even though he has no actual experience. With the best disguises and coolest gadgets, how hard can it be? But before long, he’ll discover that there’s more to being an agent than sneaky moves and looking cool. He’ll have to track down the humility and heart of a true detective and avoid getting distracted by the annoying bunny that keeps following him—a bunny that might just bear some resemblance to the missing pet—if he ever hopes to officially become Agent Unicorn. I am intrigued.  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...  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 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 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 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 to Crack Goes the Cascarón: An Eggcellent Not-Just-For-Easter Shellabration, a new picture book written by Sara Andrea Fajardo with art by Rocio Arreola Mendoza. This spirited picture book will be released February 18, 2025, from Knopf. Here's the scoop on Crack Goes the Cascarón: Shellabrate a joyous Latine tradition, with Toti and his family in this upbeat story, hatched in time for Easter and other springtime festivities. What are cascarones? Cascarones are empty eggshells that have been decorated, filled with paper confetti and the like, then sealed back up. The fun is in cracking a cascaron on someone else’s cabeza (head)! Who will be the reigning cascarones champ in this eggciting story? Toti knows that he has his family beat. His parents are too easy; they make old-school cascarones with confetti inside. His sister Carlita wishes she could create cascarones like his, and Abuela doesn't even stand a chance—no way! When it’s time to crack the cascarones, will Toti reign supreme or will the day be scrambled when he learns somebody has switched his awesome cascarones for fake ones! Readers will laugh at the antics of Toti and his family and enjoy a cheeky twist at the end. Check out this colorful and exciting book cover!    Today we celebrate the book birthday of MARIA MARIPOSA, by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González. We sat down with Musa Karla Arenas Valenti to learn more about the inspiration behind this book.
María Mariposa is a story about finding confidence, embracing identity, and recognizing that your unique self is more than enough. A gift from Mexico alights on María Mariposa’s windowsill on her first day of school in a brand-new country: “¡Una mariposa!” she says. With the butterfly, in comes Mexico magic. Filled from her toes to her new butterfly wings with memories of home, María knows exactly who she is and draws on her heritage to give her the courage needed for this very big "first". But when everything at school is different and strange, doubt chips away at María’s confidence. The place she comes from, the community she loves, the magic inside her...does any of it really belong in her new life in the United States? With courage and compassion, this picture book confronts the most difficult moments—and feelings—of being new, sweeping listeners up in a powerful celebration of the magic we each contribute to the world. Read more after the jump... |
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