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 4:14pm

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 4:35pm

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 2:09pm

Colorín Colorado, the best website for English Language Learner resources, recently posted videos of an interview they did with author and illustrator, Lulu Delacre. In this video, Lulu decribes working on the award-winning book, The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos. The book is set in New York City during the 1920s, and Lulu researched the period extensively. She even found a way to incorporate an actual newspaper from the 20s in her artwork. You just have to listen for yourself.

To watch more of Colorín Colorado's interview with the amazing Lulu Delacre, click here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:28pm