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Latino/a writers and illustrators
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From: Bob <Rlangdon>
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 12:03:20 -0800
Here at Children's Book Press, we typically approach writers who write mainly for an adult audience. They are already established names, we know they can write well, and write about subjects that are important to the community.
Poets Francisco X. Alarc?n, and Juan Felipe Herrera were well known for their adult work and were approached by our editor to write for children. Francisco has since published a series of four bilingual children's books of seasonal poetry and Juan Felipe just released his third children's book with our press, "Grandma and Me at the Flea/Los meros meros remateros." Both authors have garnered numerous awards and praise for their children's work.
Luis Rodriguez, known for his book "Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in LA," was also approached by our editor to write a book on the same subject for children. The result was a powerful bilingual children's picture book called "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way: A Barrio Story / no tiene que ser as?: una historia del barrio." The story centers on a young boy who is faced with joining a gang--an important issue that many children are facing.
In addition to authors, we also search out artists in the same way. Most of our illustrators are fine artists and have taken a next step by illustrating children's books.
An example of a successful transition is Maya Christina Gonzalez. Maya is illustrating her ninth book with Children's Book Press, due for release in August. It's very interesting to see her development as a children's illustrator from her first book to her upcoming book, "My Diary from Here to There/Mi diario de aqu? hasta all?," an epilogue to the popular, "My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito." Her artwork has grown into a truly whimsical feel that is extremely appealing to children.
Carmen Lomas Garza has also had huge success with her children's book,
"Family Picture/Cuadros de familia," "In My Family/En mi familia," and
"Magic Windows/Ventanas m?gicas," (two of which have won past Pura Belpr? Illustrator Awards). All of the art in these books were part of her adult work, but introduced to children in an accessible format.
All of these authors and artists continue to create for adults. I believe their children's books have exposed this group of respected community artists to a whole new audience. Through their children's books, they are preserving their stories and traditions and passing them on to the next generation. And having adult work available also provides these same children with a familiar face as they grow.
Robert P. Langdon Director of Sales & Marketing Children's Book Press 2211 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821080 ext 12
(415) 821081 fax
----------------------------------------------Be sure to visit our website: www.cbookpress.org
Received on Wed 27 Feb 2002 02:03:20 PM CST
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 12:03:20 -0800
Here at Children's Book Press, we typically approach writers who write mainly for an adult audience. They are already established names, we know they can write well, and write about subjects that are important to the community.
Poets Francisco X. Alarc?n, and Juan Felipe Herrera were well known for their adult work and were approached by our editor to write for children. Francisco has since published a series of four bilingual children's books of seasonal poetry and Juan Felipe just released his third children's book with our press, "Grandma and Me at the Flea/Los meros meros remateros." Both authors have garnered numerous awards and praise for their children's work.
Luis Rodriguez, known for his book "Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in LA," was also approached by our editor to write a book on the same subject for children. The result was a powerful bilingual children's picture book called "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way: A Barrio Story / no tiene que ser as?: una historia del barrio." The story centers on a young boy who is faced with joining a gang--an important issue that many children are facing.
In addition to authors, we also search out artists in the same way. Most of our illustrators are fine artists and have taken a next step by illustrating children's books.
An example of a successful transition is Maya Christina Gonzalez. Maya is illustrating her ninth book with Children's Book Press, due for release in August. It's very interesting to see her development as a children's illustrator from her first book to her upcoming book, "My Diary from Here to There/Mi diario de aqu? hasta all?," an epilogue to the popular, "My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito." Her artwork has grown into a truly whimsical feel that is extremely appealing to children.
Carmen Lomas Garza has also had huge success with her children's book,
"Family Picture/Cuadros de familia," "In My Family/En mi familia," and
"Magic Windows/Ventanas m?gicas," (two of which have won past Pura Belpr? Illustrator Awards). All of the art in these books were part of her adult work, but introduced to children in an accessible format.
All of these authors and artists continue to create for adults. I believe their children's books have exposed this group of respected community artists to a whole new audience. Through their children's books, they are preserving their stories and traditions and passing them on to the next generation. And having adult work available also provides these same children with a familiar face as they grow.
Robert P. Langdon Director of Sales & Marketing Children's Book Press 2211 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821080 ext 12
(415) 821081 fax
----------------------------------------------Be sure to visit our website: www.cbookpress.org
Received on Wed 27 Feb 2002 02:03:20 PM CST
