art

Pedro And The Monster Eater / Pedro Y Los Devoradores De Monstruos

Pedro is a young boy from a family of talented artists specializing in papier-mâché sculptures. Growing up surrounded by creativity, Pedro learns the art of crafting piñatas, masks, and mojigangas—giant puppets used in Mexico’s vibrant parades and festivals. As Pedro grows older, he becomes increasingly involved in the family business, honing his skills in papier-mâché sculpture. However, tragedy strikes when Pedro falls ill, plagued by terrifying nightmares of the mojigangas coming to life and chasing him. In his dreams, he is saved by fierce creatures called alebrijes, who devour the monsters. Inspired by his dreams, Pedro begins to recreate the alebrijes using paper and glue, infusing them with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Soon, his creations attract attention from far and wide, and people flock to buy Pedro’s monster eaters.

Based on the life of artist Pedro Linares, this bilingual picture book weaves together the fascinating origin story of Mexico’s beloved folk art with striking illustrations of the magical creatures Pedro creates. It serves as a captivating introduction to the world of art for young readers and a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of imagination. Perfect for parents and teachers seeking to inspire children’s interest in art and cultural traditions.

Holding On

A young girl spends song-filled summers with her music-loving grandmother in the Philippines, but when her beloved Lola starts slipping into silence and stillness, the girl helps her grandmother hold on with music and the joyful memories the songs bring.

Featured in WOW Review Volume XV, Issue 2.

Count On Me

Everyone has a passion. For some, it’s music. For others, it’s art. For our heroine, it’s math. When she looks around the world, she sees math in all the beautiful things: the concentric circles a stone makes in a lake, the curve of a slide, the geometric shapes in the playground. Others don’t understand her passion, but she doesn’t mind. There are infinite ways to see the world. And through math is one of them.
This book is a gorgeous ode to something vital but rarely celebrated. In the eyes of this little girl, math takes its place alongside painting, drawing and song as a way to ponder the beauty of the world.

The Magic Doll: A Children’s Book Inspired By African Art

Families Of All Kinds Will Appreciate This Simple Tale Of Love And Longing, Motherhood And Magic. In A Small Village In West Africa, A Young Girl Explains The Special Way She Was Born. Her Mother Had Difficulty Getting Pregnant, So She Seeks Help In The Form Of A Doll Which She Treats Like A Human Baby, Carrying It On Her Back And Covering It With Kisses. Months Go By And Finally The Woman’s Belly Begins To Grow! This Beautiful Story Explores The Akua-ba Fertility Figures Of The Akan People Of Ghana, While Also Depicting The Deep Love A Mother Has For Her Children. Élodie Nouhen’s Subtle, Gorgeous Illustrations Combine Collage And Prints That Are Reminiscent Of Traditional African Art, While Remaining Uniquely Contemporary. Each Spread Communicates The Look And Feel Of West Africa–the Blazing Yellow Of The Sun, The Deep Blue Of The Sky, The Richly Patterned Textiles, And Vibrant Flora And Fauna. Adrienne Yabouza’s Text Echoes The Rhythms Of Life In Her Homeland–the Central African Republic. The Book Closes With A Short Introduction To African Art And The Importance Of Fertility Statues In African Cultures.

Picture This…

In this first word book for the very young, the simple format and primitive-style paintings invite children to participate. Watchful readers will note that each turn of a page reveals a new perspective on what has come before–and what’s to follow. The effect invites imaginative storytelling. Full color.

The Amazing Watercolor Fish/El Asombroso Pez Acuarela

A lonely pet fish longs to know what exists in the world beyond her bowl. “I wish I could see over there / Behind the wall, / Behind the chair.” She imagines a giant tree, a wooly goat and a purple sea. She wonders if there could be someone out there who looks like her, so she leans close to the glass and hears some fish-like cries! “Hello? Is someone there?” she hears. “Are you a bird? / Are you a bee? Or are you a fish with fins like me?” She realizes there’s another fish close by and his name is Mike! When Mike asks what her world is like, the amazing watercolor fish has a great idea. “I ll show Mike what I think could be!” Using watercolors, she paints a picture of a world with trees and swirling rainbows. Every day she paints more, “birds that swim, / ships with wings, / and books that do all sorts of things!” Then Mike uses his paint to illustrate more than just the water and the door.

The Amazing Watercolor Fish/El Asombroso Pez Acuarela has been discussed in My Take/Your Take for September 2020.

Uncle Holland

When Holland is arrested for the thirty-seventh time for stealing beautiful things, he must make a very difficult decision. A police officer says that he must either go to jail or become a soldier. He chooses to join the army and is sent south, where he finds himself surrounded by beautiful things: palm trees, parrots, flowers and big blue waves…and fish! Holland starts painting pictures of the fish, which he sells at the market on the weekend. Soon, he has money to send home to his parents. They are worried that he’s gone back to his stealing ways, so his father writes to ask if he earned the money honestly. Holland writes back to reassure him that he has decided to paint instead of steal because “not everything that’s pretty can be stuffed in your pockets!” Based on a true story about JonArno Lawson’s uncle, and accompanied by Natalie Nelson’s collage illustrations, this quirky picture book is about making choices – and art.