Americas

Materials from the Americas

Planting Hope: A Portrait Of Photographer Sebastião Salgado

As a young boy, Sebastiao Salgado loved exploring his parents’ farm in the forests of Brazil, always dreaming of what might lie beyond his view. When he went away to school, he met Lelia, who showed him how to use a camera. As he looked through the lens, Sebastiao realized he could use photography to capture how the world fits together.

Sebastiao used his pictures to tell the stories of people who might not otherwise be seen. But after witnessing too much destruction, he put away his camera and returned to his childhood home. The land was in ruins.

So Sebastiao and Lelia decided to rebuild the rainforest and photograph the beauty of the world to save it. Through art and activism, they would show that everyone was responsible for caring for the planet and that hope endures if we take action.

This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.

Mariano’s First Glove/ El Primer Guante De Mariano (English And Spanish Edition)

“This bilingual picture book for kids recalls Major League Baseball pitcher Mariano Rivera’s childhood in Panama, his fascination with playing ball-even if he had to make his glove out of cardboard-and his eventual signing with the New York Yankees, where he helped win five World Series”–

Grandma, Where Will Your Love Go? / Abuela, ¿adónde Irá Tu Amor? (Spanish Edition)

A grandmother assures her granddaughter that her love will always surround the young girl, even when she is no longer physically present.

Brighter Than The Sun

After the loss of her mother, high school junior Soledad finds herself struggling to balance classes and her new job in California to support her family in Tijuana, Mexico, in this thoughtful story about identity, immigration, and family.

Yenebi’s Drive To School

Yenebi, her sister Melanie, and mom drive to school every morning across the US-Mexico border.

Areli Is A Dreamer: A True Story By Areli Morales, A Daca Recipient

“In the first picture book written by a DACA dreamer Areli Morales tells her own powerful and vibrant immigration story of moving from a quiet town in Mexico to the bustling and noisy metropolis of New York City”–

Big Sister, Long Coat

A book about sisterly love and all that goes with it! Little sister is thrilled to spend the day with her big sister, but much to her disappointment, their plans have to change as their environment changes around them – ice cream melts in the hot sun, library closes before they arrive, and suddenly they are trapped in the rain. What are they to do? This was not how little sister thought the day would go. But big sister knows just what to do – even if all they do is splash in puddles and find delight in the nature around them. Indeed, the day did not go as planned, but it ended up being better!