Cover Reveal: MERCEDES SOSA: VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

​Today, we're thrilled to reveal the cover to Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People​, written and illustrated by Aixa Perez-Prado. This gorgeous picture book will be released on September 17, 2024 by Children’s Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books. 

A little bit about the book:

Written and illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado, this is the powerful biography of Argentinean folksinger and activist 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.

And now, check out this gorgeous cover!​

Aixa says:

​This is the incredible story of Mercedes Sosa, the Argentine singer who became known as the "voice of the voiceless." Born to humble circumstances in Tucumán, Argentina, Mercedes discovered her extraordinary talent—a voice that soared! With her compelling  contralto, she crooned anthems dedicated to indigenous and working people, lifting their hearts, and encouraging them to stand up for their rights. Through the power of her voice, Mercedes conveyed messages of fairness, freedom, and justice,  inspiring resilience, resistance, and hope, even in the face of adversity.

As an Argentine woman, I am extremely proud to be the author and illustrator of this book about Mercedes Sosa. Her songs were the soundtrack of my childhood and I'm excited to share the messages and the emotions in her music with young people  everywhere.

I actually started designing the cover image long before I became the illustrator of this book. While working on the text, I used to listen to her music and draw as I listened, inspired by Mercedes’ strength and presence. In this illustration, I incorporated the colors and textures of the Argentine landscape and the sun on the flag along with an image of Mercedes in her iconic poncho singing and playing the bombo.

In Argentine culture, Mercedes is often associated with birds, and if you look carefully, you will find at least one bird in every image throughout the illustrations of this book and starting right here on the cover. The birds are meant to symbolize her soaring and powerful voice reaching through the clouds to inspire people everywhere. 

Written and illustrated by Aixa Perez-Prado, and published by Children’s Book Press, Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People will be out on September 17, 2024.

Pre-order the English version of Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People today!
Bookshop
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Pre-order the Spanish version of Mercedes Sosa: La Voz del Pueblo today!
Bookshop
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

BIO
Aixa Pérez-Prado is an author, an illustrator, and a university professor of linguistic and cultural studies. Originally from Buenos Aires, she crafts stories that explore intersectional identities, the need for belonging,
and the richness of bilingualism. In her early years, Aixa found inspiration in the powerful voice of Mercedes Sosa and was drawn to the profound messages of social justice, human rights, and compassion in her music. These messages prompted her to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, exploring her own blended Indigenous and European heritage through the mediums of art, literature, and music. Aixa lives with her family in Miami, Florida.

​You can learn more about her at aixaperezprado.com.

Social media handles
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