By Aika Adamson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Adaptations of classic stories breathe new life into familiar literature. Bringing in a global focus allows readers to revisit the themes of these stories with a fresh perspective that can help them connect with the narrative on a deeper level. Beloved works such as Peter Pan, The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland are reimagined with new contexts to invite readers into a world that is both familiar and brand new. Adaptations of longer, more complicated works such as Les Misérables and Frankenstein, or even the works of Shakespeare, introduce modern middle and high school readers to these influential works of literature in a more engaging setting.
This list of books is just a starting point for the growing number of titles that reimagine, retell or remix classics. From middle grade to young adult and even into graphic novels, authors and illustrators are publishing global adaptations and introducing new generations to the literature that has been celebrated for decades. Continue reading →
Meet Raúl the Third, presenting his newest ¡Vamos! book. ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read is a joyful story about literacy as Little Lobo and his friends visit a book festival at the local library, each hoping to find the book of their dreams. Bilingual celebration of Mexican American culture and books.
Raúl the Third will introduce his new book, share his process of writing and illustrating, invite children to sketch along with him, and answer questions.
Host: Kathy Short, UArizona Regents Professor and Director of WOW. Panelist: Raúl the Third Co-Sponsor:Tucson Festival of Books
Raúl the Third is an award-winning author/illustrator of the ¡Vamos! series and the illustrator for the Lowriders series by Cathy Camper. He is the co-creator of Strollercoaster and Stuntboy. He grew up between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, México, and now lives in Boston.
Imagination Fridays is co-sponsored by the Tucson Festival of Books and Worlds of Words/University of Arizona and will occur from 1-1:45 p.m. once a month on a Friday from September to December with a different author or illustrator. Add some excitement to Fridays with world-renowned children’s authors and illustrators to promote new books and encourage children as readers, writers and illustrators.
Meet Raúl the Third and hear about his newest ¡Vamos! book. ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge is a joyful story about coming together and celebrating community. Traffic has come to a stop on a bridge and Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé are tired of waiting in their truck–until they have the idea of holding an epic party!
Raúl the Third introduces his new book and process of writing and illustrating, invite children to create their own stories and answer questions.
Host: Kathy Short, Professor of Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies and Director of WOW Panelists: Raúl the Third Co-Sponsor:Tucson Festival of Books
Raúl the Third is an award-winning illustrator and the author/illustrator of ¡Vamos! Let’s Go To Market and ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat. He is also the illustrator for the Lowriders series by Cathy Camper and is working on a YA graphic novel with David Bowles. He grew up between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, México, and now lives in Boston.
Imagination Fridays is co-sponsored by the Tucson Festival of Books and Worlds of Words/University of Arizona and will occur one Friday a month at 1:00-1:45 pm from September to December with a new author and/or illustrator to introduce a brand new book. Add excitement to Fridays with world-renowned children’s authors and illustrator to promote new books and encourage children as readers, writers, and illustrators.
