2016 Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Simon & Schuster BFYR) Ada grows up hopeless in a garbage-dump town until she learns how to play a violin made of debris and joins an orchestra. Mixed-media illustrations. Also available in Spanish as El violín de Ada: La historia de la Orquestra de Instrumentos Reciclados del Paraguay, Spanish translation by Shelley McConnell. (6–8) Animal Talk: Mexican Folk Art Animal Sounds in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill, wood sculptures from Oaxaca by Rubí Fuentes and Efraín Broa (Cinco Puntos Press) This colorful bilingual book presents animal sounds in two languages. Photographs of brilliantly colored wood carvings created by Mexican artisans. (1–4) How Do You Say?/¿Cómo se dice? written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez (Henry Holt and Co. BFYR/Macmillan) and English-speaking giraffes meet and become friends and amigos. Rich mixed-media illustrations. (3–5) Little Elephants/Elefantitos written and illustrated by Susie Jaramillo (Canticos) This adaptation of the traditional Mexican song about pachyderms balancing on a spider web invites you to sing along. Interactive, with cartoonlike illustrations. (2–5)
In English and Spanish versions of beginning readers, Rafi, a tree frog (coquí), both misleads and rescues his little sister, Rosi, during Carnival in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Science and arts/crafts projects are incorporated. Expressive illustrations. (6–8) Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del arcoíris by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, Spanish translation by Eida de la Vega (Children’s Book Press/Lee & Low) Ixchel yearns to follow the tradition of her ancestors, but thread is scarce until she repurposes something littering her village. Mixed-media illustrations. (5–7) Rooster/Gallo by Jorge Luján, illustrated by Manuel Monroy, translated from the Spanish by Elisa Amado (Groundwood Books) An accessible nine-line poem and subtle, dreamy acrylics follow day into night. In Spanish and English. (2–4) Somos como las nubes/ We Are Like the Clouds by Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Alfonso Ruano, translated from the Spanish by Elisa Amado (Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press) The journey, dreams, and emotions of migrant Central American children heading north to the United States are related in poems. Evocative acrylics. (9–14) The Story Circle/El círculo de cuentos by Diane Gonzalez Bertrand, illustrated by Wendy Martin, Spanish translation by Carolina E. Alonso (Piñata Books/Arte Público) A storm forces a school to close and destroys its books, but led by their teacher, the children use their imaginations to create their own stories. Colorful illustrations. (5–7) Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra, Spanish translation by Adriana Domínguez (Tricycle Press/Random House/PRH) Ana loves stories, but in her small village there are few books—until the man with the traveling library arrives. Mixed-media illustrations. (6–9) Yummy Yucky/!Nam! ¡Puaj! (Candlewick Press) written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli, Spanish translation by Teresa Mlawer From apple pie to mud pie, some things are delicious, and some taste awful! Boldly outlined tempera illustrations. (0–3)
2015 Flutter & Hum: Animal Poems/Aleteo y zumbido: Poemas de animales written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Henry Holt and Co. BFYR/Macmillan) Colorful gouache illustrations and eloquent verses in Spanish and English convey the essence of snakes, herons, whales, moths, and a variety of other creatures. (7–10) The Great and Mighty Nikko!: A Bilingual Counting Book written and illustrated by Xavier Garza (Cinco Puntos Press) If Nikko isn’t the one wrestling on his bed, then who is? Bold, vibrant illustrations. (4–6) Growing Up Pedro written and illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick Press) Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Pedro Martínez worshipped his older brother, Ramón, and followed him to an extraordinary baseball career. Colorful gouache illustrations. Also available in Spanish as Llegar a ser Pedro. (9–12) Mango, abuela, y yo by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez (Candlewick Press) Mia’s grandmother comes to live with her, and although the two of them speak different languages, they find new ways to communicate, with the help of a parrot. Ink, gouache, and marker illustrations. Also available in English as Mango, Abuela, and Me. (5–8) Maya’s Blanket/La manta de Maya by Monica Brown, illustrated by David Diaz, Spanish translation by Adriana Domínguez (Children’s Book Press/Lee & Low ) When Maya’s blanket becomes frayed, it is transformed into a shirt and then.... A Latin version in English and Spanish of a Yiddish folk song. Rich mixed-media illustrations. (6–9) My Tata’s Remedies/ Los remedios de mi tata by Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford, illustrated by Antonio Castro (Cinco Puntos Press) Tata (Grandpa) uses herbs to cure illness. Full-page colored illustrations and glossary of medicinal herbs and remedies. (8–11) Salsa: A Cooking Poem/Un poema para cocinar by Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh,
translated from the Spanish by Elisa Amado (Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press) A young girl and her family make red salsa musically to celebrate their culture and ancestry. Flat, stylistic illustrations. (5–10) 2014 Maria Had a Little Llama/María tenía una llamita written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez (Henry Holt BFYR/Macmillan) In this bilingual version of the nursery rhyme, Mary lives in Peru and has a different kind of pet! Extraordinary gouache illustrations. (4–6) My Skeleton Family/Mi familia calaca by Cynthia Weill, illustrated by Jesús Canseco Zárate (Cinco Puntos Press) Simple text in English and Spanish describes Anita’s family. They’re just like yours and mine—except they’re much bonier. Papier-mâché in Oaxacan folk art style. (3–5) Señor Pancho Had a Rancho by René Colato Laínez, illustrated by Elwood Smith (Holiday House) Old MacDonald and Señor Pancho both have a lot of noisy farm animals in this festive, bilingual sing-a-long. Lively ink and watercolor illustrations. Pronunciation guide included. (3–6) Tito Puente: Mambo King/Rey del mambo by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rafael López (Rayo/HarperCollins) Tito Puente’s life as a Grammy musician and bandleader is described in English and Spanish. Bold, acrylic illustrations. (5–8) Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales, photographed by Tim O’Meara (Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan) Artist Frida Kahlo, manifested both as a puppet and as an acrylic-painted figure, sees, plays, dreams, creates, and lives. Vivid, powerful colors and dynamic spreads. (6–10) Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube by Pat Mora, illustrated by Meilo So (Children’s Book Press/Lee & Low) These poetic tributes to water in all its moods, movements, and majesty inspire gratitude and awe. Illustrations add energy, location, and beauty. (6–10) 2013 My Colors, My World/ Mis colores, mi mundo written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez (Children's Book Press/Lee & Low) Maya finds color and beauty
of colors in natural settings. Sensitive watercolors. (6–10) I Like It When... / Me gusta cuando... written and illustrated by Mary Murphy, Spanish translation by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada (Harcourt) A look at the warm relationship between mother and child is presented with colorful illustrations. (3–6) A Perfect Season for Dreaming/ Un tiempo perfecto para soñar by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, illustrated by Esau Andrade Valencia (Cinco Puntos Press) A grandfather shares his fantastic dreams about piñatas. Colorful, folkloric paintings. (7–9) Quinito, Day and Night/Quinito, día y noche by Ina Cumpiano, illustrated by José Ramírez (Children's Book Press/Lee & Low) Spend a day with Quinito and learn about opposites—in English and Spanish. Vibrant, colorful illustrations. (5–7) 2007 I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story/Yo recuerdo a abuelito: Un cuento de Día de los Muertos by Janice Levy, illustrated by Loretta Lopez, Spanish translation by Miguel Arisa (Albert Whitman) A heartfelt story of a young girl celebrating her recently deceased grandfather on The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Informative art. (6–9) My Way/ A mi manera: A Margaret and Margarita Story written and illustrated by Lynn Reiser (Greenwillow Books) Margaret and Margarita sometimes like to do things differently, but always like to do them together. Lively watercolors. (4–6) We Are Cousins / Somos primos by Diane Gonzales Bertrand, illustrated by Christina E. Rodriguez (Piñata Piñata Books/Arte Público)) Gentle humor in both text and illustrations underscores the warmth of a group of first cousins. (4–7) The Woodcutter’s Gift / El regalo del lenador by Lupe Ruiz-Flores, illustrated by Elaine Jerome, Spanish translation by Gabriela Baeza Ventura (Piñata Piñata Books/Arte Público)) A zoo of colorful, carved animals in a small town is coveted by a museum in a big city. (6–9)