|
For
Immediate Release: September 2005
QUINITO’S NEIGHBORHOOD/EL VECINDARIO DE
QUINITO
Exploring one little boy’s world
San Francisco, CA—What is a neighborhood made of? Is
it made up of houses, stop signs, and schoolyards, or is it
made up of something more? In Quinito’s Neighborhood/El
Vecindario de Quinito, the paintings of artist José Ramírez
bring the sights and sounds of Quinito’s world to life.
This unique neighborhood journey is both an innocent and insightful
look into a young boy’s understanding of his community.
Quinito is a very busy boy; after all, he helps hold the neighborhood
together. How else would his teacher, Mr. Gómez, know
his Mami is a carpenter, and his Abuela is a truck-driver? As
Quinito explores his neighborhood, he passes Tía’s
beautiful murals, hears laughter coming from Tita’s clown
school, and smells the delicious bread Rafi and Luis are baking.
Everyone in Quinito’s neighborhood has an important job,
and each friend and neighbor values everyone else. Quinito knows
that his neighborhood is made up of more than just buildings,
streets, and shops—it’s made up of all the people
he knows and loves.
Author Ina Cumpiano weaves together a story
about community filled with warmth, wonder, and acceptance.
Each job is important, each gender is equally able, and each
person is cherished. The jewel-like paintings of José
Ramírez vibrate with life and energy, displaying a child’s
pride and enthusiasm for his neighborhood. Quinito’s
Neighborhood/El Vecindario de Quinito will encourage
readers to examine the boundless array of careers, and will
inspire children and their families to explore and appreciate
their own neighborhoods.
-
This is the first bilingual picture book
for early readers to focus on various members of a Latino
neighborhood.
-
The Latino population is now the largest minority
group in the US after growing 60% in the last decade; from
22.4 million in 1990 to 39.2 million in 2000.
-
One-third of Latinos living in the US are
under the age of 18, and Latinos represent the fastest growing
children’s demographic.
-
The bilingual format will be helpful in bilingual
homes and classrooms.
-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
José Ramírez was born in Los Angeles
California. A gifted artist, he is also a second grade teacher for
the Los Angeles Unified School District. His paintings, sculptures,
and tile murals have been shown in museums, galleries, bookstores,
coffee shops, and public spaces in the United States and abroad.
This is his fourth book for children.
Ina Cumpiano, a Puerto Rican poet and translator
who lives in a bustling neighborhood in San Francisco, California,
has published nearly twenty books for children. She has had
many different jobs, but so far her favorite has been as a grandmother
to her ten grandchildren, ages two to thirteen.
Quinito’s Neighborhood/El Vecindario
de Quinito
Children’s fiction, Ages 3 and up
Full-color illustrations throughout
Bilingual in English and Spanish
ISBN 0-89239-209-6
$16.95
8 1/2” x 10”
24 pages
|
|
|
|
