August 2009
Recent praise for My Papa Diego and Me
My Papa Diego and Me is really on a roll — it seems like every day we find another glowing review or mention of this new fall title in the media. Here are two of the most recent:
This review on the Shelf Awareness blog couldn't be better. Here's a choice quote:
"In her introduction to this beautifully designed picture book tribute to Mexican artist Diego Rivera (1886-1957) and his paintings, Guadalupe Rivera Marín...immediately engages both young readers and fans of the artist... The conversational tone of the narrative allows viewers to experience the featured painting on every spread as they would in a gallery led by a knowledgeable guide.... Marín's concise yet complete explanations, delivered with a light touch, will give readers an appreciation of the traditions that shaped the author and her artist father, and also the elegance with which they have preserved the Mexico they loved."
In today's Publishers Weekly, there's a list called "An Indie Top 20: Twenty fall titles from independent presses that show big promise". You can find My Papa Diego and Me about halfway down the page.
Smithsonian blog reviews My Papa Diego and Me
Another wonderful review was posted yesterday on the BookDragon blog, which is part of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program. The reviewer writes:
"The book is a lovely testament to the father/daughter relationship, as well as a perfect introduction for the youngest appreciators of memorable art. That it’s in both English and Spanish means even more children (and their parents!) can enjoy the book together."
Read the entire review here.
A special birthday wish in honor of CBP!
Some people never cease to amaze us. Janine Macbeth, a former staff member and friend of Children's Book Press, has just started a fundraising campaign on Facebook to help raise funds for our organization. Janine is turning 30 next month, and instead of asking for presents, she's asking her friends to make a contribution to Children's Book Press. (Read Janine's birthday wish below.)
Janine, your generosity inspires us! Warmest thanks from everyone at CBP, and we wish you a happy birthday.
-------------
Janine's Birthday Wish
Share this link with your friends:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/birthdays/136252?m=0459b8c8
I hope this note finds you well!
Children's Book Press is a wonderful and responsible organization with integrity and a true commitment to a more equitable children's literature landscape. This commitment is on all levels, from providing positive self reflections of young underrepresented readers; to getting books into the hands of children across the country and the world; to committing to underrepresented authors and artists, and providing a venue for them to represent their own communities and stories; to impacting the larger children's book industry by creating a niche back in 1975, and growing the space and industry consciousness to value the contributions of first voice literature. (Check out the website to learn more about first voice.)
Children's Book Press has suffered a number of back to back blows these past 3 years, and the timing is ripe. Any help you can provide will be of great and deep benefit to the organization. Please consider some of the ways you may be able to help:
1) Go to their website: www.childrensbookpress.org and buy some books! They don't offer deep discounts like Amazon would, but by cutting out all the middlemen, you will ensure that all your dollars go directly to CBP. (Let me know if you'd like any book recommendations - I love to talk books.)
2) Donate via Facebook Causes, or the CBP website. Every dollar counts -- Really.
3) Learn more, and spread the word about Children's Book Press. Visit the website and find out more about the organization. It is a great resource to the community, to parents, teachers, and care givers. Keep CBP in your brain space, and share information with folks when the opportunity arises. The more people know about Children's Book Press, the larger its support network will become.
I'm turning 30 this year. Yikes, a mile stone indeed! The best blessing I can imagine on my birthday would be to know that I helped spread the word and supported Children's Book Press beyond the individual me. Your thoughts and effort will contribute great momentum to this wish; you will make it real.
Thank you even for reading this far along. I know that even in just reading this note, you have already helped. I appreciate your generosity of spirit, word, and action.
Warmest regards,
J9Macbeth
Great review of My Papa Diego and Me in Publishers Weekly!
We just received a proof of the August 24 issue of Publishers Weekly in the mail, and there on page 61-62 is a wonderful review of My Papa Diego and Me!
"Through bilingual commentaries on 13 of Rivera's paintings, the artist's daughter provides an anecdotal portrait of her childhood with her father. All of the works feature children and will give readers a sense of Rivera's range as an artist. Several are portraits of the author, and they frequently depict domestic scenarios and Mexican traditions. One novel inclusion is Rivera's cover illustration for the book Fermín ("The story of Fermín was very important to my father. He wanted to show that all children, even those who grow up with very little, can become leaders"); another is a mural he created for the Secretariat of Public Education in Mexico, which portrays conditions that presaged the Mexican Revolution. The visual showstopper, however, is the detail from Rivera's sprawling mural, "Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda," on the endpapers, a surreal vision of city life that features a cameo by the artist as a boy, a frog and snake peeking out from his pockets. The personalities of father and daughter alike, as well as the vibrancy of Mexican culture, shine brightly in this personal, insightful book. Ages 6 and up."
This review comes on the heels of an article about My Papa Diego and Me in PW's Children's Bookshelf last week. In case you missed it, you can read it here.
Maya Christina Gonzalez crowns a spelling bee queen!
Last Sunday, CBP author/artist powerhouse Maya Christina Gonzalez (I Know the River Loves Me) was a judge at Macy's 4th Annual Spelling Bee in San Francisco. The bee is put on by Macy's and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and is part of the Book a Brighter Future Campaign. The focus of this year's bee was on eco-friendly, "green" words, and involved prizes that included a trip to New York City to compete in the final round of competition.
Maya was so excited by the event and the participants that she sent us this report, along with photos from the big day:
"There were ten contestants between the ages of 8 and 12. We went for six rounds - all the words were eco-related. The kids were very quiet and focused. Christiana, the announcer from Disney, was amazed... The other judges were Basia Lubicz from the Oakland Unified School District and Caril Reisner from the publication Parenting on the peninsula.
I loved seeing the kids' intense attention. I think everyone was very intent on the amazing prize, especially the trip to New York to attend the final competition.
I had a blast being a judge. I remember being that age and how proud I was that I was a good speller, and here I am a million years later as an author! Words are like magic. Besides art, they're one of my favorite ways to tell a tale. I wondered if any of these kids might also love words so much that they will use them to tell marvelous tales some day, and if they might even write about this very spelling bee..."
Great review of I Know the River Loves Me in Kirkus!
In the current issue of Kirkus Reviews, I Know the River Loves Me gets a lovely write-up:
'In sweeping lyrical prose—in both English and Spanish—a little girl describes her special relationship with the river she loves, which loves her in return. The river keeps the little girl's smiling reflection, sings her name in the rushing waters and cools her down when she jumps in to swim. The little girl is careful to only leave behind what truly belongs in the river's waters; as she states, "The river takes care of me and I take care of the river." Double -paged spreads of aqua blue ribbons of waves populated with green fish and frogs against a crisp white background envelop a black-and-white outlined Latina girl with flowing, long dark hair. The author's love and respect for the natural beauty an rhythm of the river and how it sustains her through quiet and vibrant moods is vividly portrayed in both her words and paintings. "I watch her change like me. / In the winter, she is low and quiet. / In the summer, she is full and loud." Inspiring and peacefully thought-provoking.'
Thank you, Kirkus!
Great article on My Papa Diego and Me on the Publishers Weekly website!
We are thrilled to report that interest in one of our fall titles is already receiving lots of attention. In today's Children's Bookshelf on the Publishers Weekly website, there is a wonderful article about My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papá Diego y yo. Many thanks to reporter Sally Lodge for taking such an interest in the book, and to everyone who helped make this book possible!
Maya Christina Gonzalez judges RIF Spelling Bee this Sunday
Sustainability. Biodegradable. Deforestation.
These are some words that might come up at the 4th Annual Macy's Spelling Bee this Sunday. Reading is Fundamental is co-sponsoring the event as part of their "Book a Brighter Future" initiative, which allows Macy's customers to donate to RIF while getting a discount at the store. The contest will focus on "earth friendly related words," and luckily, there will be a real expert on hand to judge. Author and illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez will be the celebrity judge, and she knows a thing or two about being earth friendly. Her newest book, I Know the River Loves Me (which comes out next month) tells the story of a little girl experiencing the simple joys of playing in a river, and learning how to be in harmony with nature. Big prizes are in store for the winner!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
2:00-3:30pm
Kids Department, Level 5
Macy's Union Square
170 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA
Check out the Macy's event calendar for more details.
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