Children's Book Press author Lucía González talks about the life of New York City librarian Pura Belpré in a video interview done by AtYourLibrary.org. Watch the video below.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 5:39pm

We were pleasantly surprised today when we discovered that showtheLOVE.com, a site that is dedicated to making the world a better place, had highlighted CBP and our books!  The site strives to make "tomorrow's earth a place our children will enjoy." We heartily support that goal, and are honored to be touted on their site!

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:50pm

My Papa Diego and Me is featured in the December issue of ARTnews! Read the review below or pick up a copy at your newsstand.

ARTnews, December 2009
Art Talk column, page 34

Bohemia in Mexico
by Gail Gregg

Once upon a time a little girl in Mexico, nicknamed Pico by her father, grew up in a bohemian world that few children of the early 20th century could have imagined. After their parents divoced, Pico and her younger sister lived first with their mother and stepfather, then with their father and stepmother, then with all four adults in the same compound. Revolutionaries all, her parents and stepparents hosted activists, writers, and artist in their flower-bedeched home.

Pico ("Little One" in Spanish) is the daughter of Diego Rivera and Guadalupe Marín--and stepdaughter of Frida Kahlo and poet-chemist Jorge Cuesta. Now 85, Pico (Guadalupe Rivera Marín) has written a children's book that evokes both the particular nature of her upbringing and the universal experience of childhood.

My Papa Diego and Me, recently out from Children's Book Press, is a kind of collaboration with Rivera himself, whose paintings serve as illustrations. Profits from the book support the Diego Rivera Foundation, which the author heads. Published as a parallel text in English and Spanish, My Papa Diego and Me is Rivera Marín's sixth book about her father and her first children's book. A retired law professor living in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Rivera Marín has written several law books as well.

Rivera, who died in 1957, is best known for his murals and his fiery relationship with Kahlo. But Rivera Marín wants people to understand how much attention her father paid to children in his work--Mexican children especially. Describing A Poor Family in the Street (1934), Rivera Marín recalls how, after a mother and her children arrived in Rivera's home on Mixcalco Street in Mexico City, he took them in and painted their portrait, and gave the painting to the mother to help finance a new life in the city.

Rivera Marín also remembers the tedium of posing for her father at a young age. Once, to keep her occupied, Rivera gave her an orange--the work became Pico with an Orange (1925). "He got really annoyed with me," she confesses, "because I ate the orange before he finished the painting!"

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Friday, December 4, 2009 12:50pm

The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to work on our gift lists. With that in mind, Children’s Book Press offers this list of books that will make great gifts for young readers—and book lovers of all ages!

And for a limited time, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50. Just add the books to your cart, and the discount will automatically be applied after your total reaches $50.

So start shopping! Our free shipping offer ends January 1st, 2010. (Click here for offer details.)

Art lovers big and small will be thrilled to read critically acclaimed My Papa Diego and Me and Just Like Me.
   

Nature lovers and the environmentally conscious are sure to enjoy I Know the River Loves Me and Animal Poems of the Iguazu.
   

Treat your youngest readers to the friendly story and the bright art of Quinito’s Neighborhood and Quinito, Day and Night.
   

For crafty, DIY kids and their adults, a book on making cut-paper art: Making Magic Windows.

Children are born loving rhythm. So what could be better than reading beautifully illustrated poetry books together? Cuddle up with Iguanas in the Snow and Tan to Tamarind.
   

The holidays have a way of making people think about home and family. Embark on journeys to different homes with Going Home, Coming Home and In My Family.
   

This is also the time to be grateful for what we have and be kind to those who are in need. Cultivate a spirit of generosity by sharing A Shelter in Our Car.

What kid doesn’t want a room of his/her own? My Very Own Room reminds us that to get what you wish for, sometimes all you need is a bit of creativity—and lots of love from your family!

Looking for more recommendations?  Check out our full catalog of titles here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:39pm

Tan to Tamarind: Poems About the Color Brown by Malathi Michelle Iyengar is Colorín Colorado's Featured Book of the Month!

From the Colorín Colorado website:

"This collection of multicultural poetry celebrates the color brown and all of the delicious and familiar places it can be found, from the reddish-brown mountains of the Southwest to the tamarind paste used in Mumbai to the acorns found on a city street.  Author Malathi Michelle Iyengar uses the poems to express an appreciation for the many ethnic backgrounds who describe their skin color as 'brown' around the world. Jamel Akib's warm drawings are a perfect complement to the poetry. A wonderful selection for fall."

You can order this book directly on our website by clicking here. Or visit the Colorín Colorado website to learn more about their featured books.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, November 23, 2009 1:03pm

The Sierra Club's blog "The Green Life" recently included Maya Christina Gonzalez's I KNOW THE RIVER LOVES ME among the books recommended in their Book Roundup on kids and nature. Read the whole article here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:14pm

In early November, Hurricane Ida swept through El Salvador, triggering floods and mudslides that killed over 120 people. This Thursday, November 19, join CBP author and poet Jorge Argueta at a benefit in San Francisco for the victims of this terrible storm. An amazing line-up of local poets and musicians will be donating their time and talents to this event. Spread the word, and if you're in San Francisco on Thursday night, stop by and show your support for the people of El Salvador.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, November 16, 2009 11:27am

The Horn Book's November/ December 2009 issue features a review for My Papa Diego and Me. Read full review below:

"This bilingual tribute written by Diego Rivera's daughter portrays the almost mythical figure in a new light; he was not only a famous man, he was also a papá. Marín pairs thirteen of her father's paintings with a brief first-person text, presented on each spread in English, then in Spanish. Her personal insight is conveyed in both languages without distracting flourishes; she lets her father's work speak for itself. For the painting "El hogar tan querido--Fin del corrido" ("Beloved Home") Marín explains the cozy domestic scene of a woman bent over her sewing and children studying and then offers that "as I got older I discovered that I loved to read . . . I decided I too would write books one day." Rivera's stunning yet earthy art seems made for young viewers, and its accessibility is heightened by the striking design. Each painting is set against a flattering, bright backdrop, and complementary motifs accent the text. End matter contains more information about each painting and the handful of black-and-white archival photographs included. Readers will want to linger over Rivera's mural reproduced on the inside covers, trying to find the young Rivera with frogs and snakes in his bolsillos (pockets)." ⎯The Horn Book

 

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, November 12, 2009 5:35pm

We are thrilled to announce that the San Francisco Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros event was one of two receipients of the 2009 Mora Award. The Mora Award was established by children's book author Pat Mora and her family in honor of her parents. It is given to libraries or institutions that celebrate the annual day for children, families and books. The San Franicisco Día committee, which consists of several community-based literacy organizations in the Bay Area, will receive $1,000 to go towards planning for future celebrations. Children's Book Press has been helping to organize our local Día celebration for over 7 years, and this past April, we celebrated our 10th anniversary. Our next celebration is planned for April 25th, 2010.

The official press release and our poster from last year is below.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:21pm

I guess this makes it official.  Kirkus Reviews selected My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papá Diego y yo as one of the Best Children's Books of 2009!  The issue will hit newsstands November 15th, but for those of you who can't wait, here's the review.

My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papa Diego y yo
Guadalupe Rivera Marín & Diego Rivera
Children’s Book Press
August
9780892392285
$17.95
Guadalupe Rivera Marín, the daughter of acclaimed Mexican artist Diego Rivera, reveals a little-known side of her father through some of his most evocative work. “The book is not so much about Diego Rivera as it is about the theme of childhood in his work and Guadalupe’s reminiscences,” says Dana Goldberg, executive editor at Children’s Book Press. “She has led a very interesting life even apart from her relationship with her father, but she has so many memories tied up in these paintings. They were done when she was very young, but she still has strong memories of modeling for him.” Rivera Marín selected paintings that best represented her father’s portrayals of children and childhood, including many portraits of herself and her sister, to accompany her touching, personal recollections. Her prose is offered in a bilingual edition that her publishers hope has broad appeal. “It was a privilege to hear her,” says Goldberg. “She’s so warm and has the most amazing sense of humor. Our books always take a lot of work and care, but this was an effort on a whole new level for us.” (Ages 6 & up)

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:09pm