Today we celebrate the book birthday of Old Clothes for Dinner?! We sat down with Musa Nathalie Alonso to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book:
OLD CLOTHES FOR DINNER?! is a lighthearted picture book that tells the story of a girl named Magaly, whose grandmother recently arrived from Havana. Magaly is enjoying all the Cuban dishes her Abuela has been whipping up in their apartment — until she learns her grandmother is making a batch of ropa vieja. Old clothes for dinner?! Gross! To make things worse, Magaly’s sweater has gone missing, and she feels the urge to hide her other clothing before it too ends up on the dinner plate.
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Today we celebrate the book birthday of Mani Semilla Finds her Quetzal Voice. We sat down with Anna Lapera to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book:
Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice – a contemporary middle grade novel full of spunk and activist heart. This book is a contemporary upper middle grade novel that follows Manuela “Mani” Semilla who wants two things: To get her period, and to thwart her mom's plan of taking her to Guatemala on her thirteenth birthday. If her mom's always going on about how dangerous it is in Guatemala, and how much she sacrificed to come to this country, then why should Mani even want to visit? But one day, up in the attic, she finds secret letters between her mom and her disappeared feminist journalist aunt, Tía Beatriz, transforming Mani from quiet bystander into budding activist as she stands up against the culture of harassment at her own school. Today we celebrate the book birthday of A Flicker of Hope. We sat down with Musa Cynthia Harmony to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: A FLICKER OF HOPE - A Kirkus and Publishers Weekly Star recipient. LUCÍA loves to watch the monarcas’ annual migration with her papá. But this year, their flight north holds extra weight: Papá is heading north, too, to work on faraway farms to feed his family. Though she hates to see him go, he leaves her a song and a promise that when the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, so will he. After many months apart, Lucía watches the skies for a flicker of hope, the monarchs’ homecoming that signals Papá’s return. Through parallel journeys, this love letter to the bonds that connect us celebrates the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders. Today, we're thrilled to reveal the cover to SQUAWK OF SPANISH by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta. This gorgeous picture book will be released August 13th, 2024, from Charlesbridge. But first, a little bit about the book: Max finds his Spanish-speaking voice with the help of his abuela’s pet, Lorito. 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! Gabriella says: My first reaction to the cover was: “This is Max, Abuela, and Lorito—I see them!” I instantly fell in love with Max. With soft curls and a round face, he resembles my son who was the inspiration for the story. Like Max, my son’s Spanish words sometimes knot in his throat and refuse to come out. I was blown away by how Romina illustrated the warmth between Max and Abuela as well as Lorito’s whimsical personality. Romina made Lorito into a sidekick all kids will want to have. I cannot wait for readers to fall in love with his silly jokes and joyous personality! Romina Galotta’s illustrations brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. I also have to thank the designer, Kristen Nobles, and my wonderful editor, Karen Boss. I think this cover is full of joy. I hope you all agree! Written by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta, and published by Charlesbridge, Squawk of Spanish will be out on August 13, 2024 and simultaneously released in Spanish as Un graznido en español. Pre-order Squawk of Spanish and Un graznido en español today! Add Squawk of Spanish and Un graznido en español to your Want-to-Read List on GoodReads! Gabriella Aldeman is an author and translator who is constantly trying to get her kids to respond to her en español. She has a mission to make educational content accessible to Spanish-speaking families and engage readers with rhymes, stories, and worlds of wonder. Gaby grew up in Panama and now lives in Virginia. This is her second picture book. Please visit her at www.writebetween.com or @write_between on Twitter or Instagram. Today we celebrate the book birthday of RELIT: 16 LATINX REMIXES OF CLASSIC STORIES. We sat down with Musa Sandra Proudman to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book: Relit features sixteen stories by award-winning and bestselling YA authors center a Latinx point of view in an empowering anthology that reimagines classics through fantasy, science fiction, and with a dash of magic, for fans of A PHOENIX FIRST MUST BURN and RECLAIM THE STARS. In classic stories remixed, Latinx characters take center stage. Pride and Prejudice is launched into outer space, Frankenstein is plunged into the depths of the ocean, and The Great Gatsby floats to an island off the coast of Costa Rica. A shape-shifter gives up her life to save the boy she loves from an evil bruja. La Ciguapa covets a little mermaid’s heart of gold. Two star-crossed teens fall in love while the planet burns around them. Whether characters fall in love, battle foes, or grow through grief, each story will empower readers to see themselves as the heroes of the stories that make our world. Today we celebrate the book birthday of Caught in a Bad Fauxmance. We sat down with Musa Elle Gonzalez Rose to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book: Caught in a Bad Fauxmance is a fresh, fun contemporary YA rom-com from debut author Elle Gonzalez Rose, about an aspiring artist who agrees to fake date one of his family’s longtime enemies in the hopes of gathering intel good enough to take down their rivals once and for all. Today we’re thrilled to reveal the cover for Paola Santos's debut picture book, How to Eat a Mango, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo, which releases on July 16, 2024 from Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Holiday House. How to Eat a Mango will be released simultaneously in Spanish as Cómo comer un mango. About the book: Abuelita teaches Carmencita that you can’t rush mango-eating: it takes five steps to appreciate the gift and feel the love. Carmencita doesn’t want to help Abuelita pick mangoes; she doesn’t even like them! They’re messy, they get stuck in her teeth, and it’s a chore to throw out the rotten ones. But Abuelita adores mangoes, and patiently, she teaches Carmencita the right way to eat them. Together, they listen to the tree’s leaves, feel its branches and roots above and below, and smell and feel the sweet, smooth fruits. Each step is a meditation on everything Mamá Earth has given, and in the Earth’s love, Carmencita feels the love of her Mami, her Papi, her little brother Carlitos, and of course, Abuelita. When they finally bite in, the juice running down their arms, Carmencita understands. The mangoes are more than just mangoes… and she’s ready for another! Inspired by her own childhood in Venezuela, Paola Santos’s mango-sweet story is a grounding, life-affirming take on gratitude for nature’s gifts and connection with family and culture. Juliana Perdomo’s cheery artwork brings Carmencita, Abuelita, and their mango tree to life with all the warmth of golden fruit under the sun. From Paola: The first time I saw Juliana Perdomo’s illustrations, I was moved by the warmth and homely feeling of the colors she used to give life to Carmencita, Abuelita, and their world. It was like being home and bringing my memories to the page in the sweetest possible way. And not just the cover but every illustration is an invitation to soak in sunlight, nature, culture, and family. This book is truly inspired by the Venezuela that lives in my heart, and Juliana captured every aspect of it. My words are a meditative journey through the senses, and Juliana’s illustrations are the perfect complement. How to Eat a Mango (Cómo se come un mango) combines our feelings, and I hope the readers can relate and create their own.
Where to preorder: You can preorder How to Eat a Mango today wherever books are sold, including: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Penguin Random House.
You can also add How to Eat a Mango to your want-to-read list on Goodreads. Today we celebrate the book birthday of Sinner's Isle. We sat down with Musa Angela Montoya to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book: SINNER'S ISLE is a spellbinding YA romantic fantasy about a powerful witch who will do anything to escape the remote island she’s being held captive on, including blackmail a notorious, charming pirate who washes up on shore. Happy Book Birthday to On The Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette10/31/2023 Today we celebrate the book birthday of On the Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette. We sat down with Musa Lissette Norman to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: ON THE LINE: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette written by Jennifer Jones and Lissette Norman and illustrated by Robert Paul, Jr. Dancing has always made her feel free, like she can do anything. But when Jennifer was a child, some people didn’t think that she had a future as a dancer because of the color of her skin. With the support of her family, especially her mother, she proved that anything is possible when you believe you belong. On the Line is a captivating true story about manifesting your dreams. Today we celebrate the book birthday of Dreams Of Green: A Three Kings' Day Story. We sat down with Musa Mariel Jungkunz to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about the book: It’s eleven days after Christmas and Lucia yearns to be in lush Puerto Rico celebrating Día de los Reyes with family and friends. But this year, instead of dancing and singing in the parrandas of her Puerto Rican neighborhood, she is surrounded by cold and silence in snow-blanketed Ohio. How will she ever be able to guide the Three Kings to her new home in the frosty Midwest? This picture book is a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, heartwarming family tradition, and a reminder that we all carry a piece of home with us wherever life may take us. |
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