by José Ángel Gutiérrez ; illustrated by Stephen Marchesi ; translated by Gabriela Baeza Ventura ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2020
Truly informative but often uninspired.
Discover the story of the man behind Cinco de Mayo.
Born in 1829, Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín grew up desiring to embody the life of a dedicated soldier. Shortly after the U.S.–Mexican War of 1846-1848, he enlisted in the Mexican army at the age of 24. Despite a burgeoning family, Zaragoza remained committed to his military life, eventually achieving the title of commander of the Mexican army and navy. The arrival of the formidable French army—with their superior weaponry and experienced soldiers—in 1862 proved to be the biggest challenge of his life. Amid the deaths of his wife and three of their children due to typhoid, Zaragoza used his knowledge of the terrain and cunning strategies at the Battle of Puebla to best the French army and thus secure his spot in Mexico’s history. Presented in both English and Spanish (the latter via Baeza Ventura’s translation), Gutiérrez’s sober, plain account offers neither a larger-than-life legend nor a multifaceted portrayal. Rather, the author’s version of Zaragoza comes across as an uber-patriot, a man whose worth is mostly measured in military feats. More fascinating are the rare snippets readers receive of the times, like the fact that Zaragoza’s troops consisted of volunteers, including women. In Marchesi’s dutiful artwork, full of sweeping panoramas and figures frozen in conflict, Zaragoza remains a graceful symbol locked in honor.
Truly informative but often uninspired. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: May 31, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-55885-898-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Piñata Books/Arte Público
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020
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by Hannah Eliot ; illustrated by Alina Chau ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 11, 2018
Lovely illustrations wasted on this misguided project.
The Celebrate the World series spotlights Lunar New Year.
This board book blends expository text and first-person-plural narrative, introducing readers to the holiday. Chau’s distinctive, finely textured watercolor paintings add depth, transitioning smoothly from a grand cityscape to the dining room table, from fantasies of the past to dumplings of the present. The text attempts to provide a broad look at the subject, including other names for the celebration, related cosmology, and historical background, as well as a more-personal discussion of traditions and practices. Yet it’s never clear who the narrator is—while the narrative indicates the existence of some consistent, monolithic group who participates in specific rituals of celebration (“Before the new year celebrations begin, we clean our homes—and ourselves!”), the illustrations depict different people in every image. Indeed, observances of Lunar New Year are as diverse as the people who celebrate it, which neither the text nor the images—all of the people appear to be Asian—fully acknowledges. Also unclear is the book’s intended audience. With large blocks of explication on every spread, it is entirely unappealing for the board-book set, and the format may make it equally unattractive to an older, more appropriate audience. Still, readers may appreciate seeing an important celebration warmly and vibrantly portrayed.
Lovely illustrations wasted on this misguided project. (Board book. 4-8)Pub Date: Dec. 11, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3303-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Dec. 4, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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by Monica Brown ; illustrated by John Parra ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2017
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist.
Frida Kahlo’s strong affection for and identification with animals form the lens through which readers view her life and work in this picture-book biography.
Each two-page spread introduces one or more of her pets, comparing her characteristics to theirs and adding biographical details. Confusingly for young readers, the beginning pages reference pets she owned as an adult, yet the illustrations and events referred to come from earlier in her life. Bonito the parrot perches in a tree overlooking young Frida and her family in her childhood home and pops up again later, just before the first mention of Diego Rivera. Granizo, the fawn, another pet from her adult years, is pictured beside a young Frida and her father along with a description of “her life as a little girl.” The author’s note adds important details about Kahlo’s life and her significance as an artist, as well as recommending specific paintings that feature her beloved animals. Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo’s style and color palette. While young animal lovers will identify with her attachment to her pets and may enjoy learning about the Aztec origins of her Xolo dogs and the meaning of turkeys in ancient Mexico, the book may be of most interest to those who already have an interest in Kahlo’s life.
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4269-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
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by Monica Brown ; illustrated by Rosa Ibarra
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