Author: Moreira de Acopiara Illustrator: Laerte Silvino Publisher‏: Ciranda na Escola; 1ª edição (25 julho 2022) Language‏: ‎Portuguese Age: 5-8 years old Region: South America (Brazil) Moreira de Acopiara is a poet and playwright born in 1961 in the interior of Ceará, Brazil. The author, who has already published several children’s books in the form of Cordel literature, and the illustrator, Laerte Silvino, reinterpret one of the best-known stories in the world with a Brazilian touch: the classic “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Although this type of literature was of Portugu ..read more

Author: Francisco X. Alarcón Illustrator: Mara Christina Gonzalez Publisher: Children’s Book Press Languages: Bilingual, Spanish and English Age Range: 5-6 years Setting: Iguazú Waterfalls; Northeastern Argentina Francisco X. Alarcón was a prolific and award winning Chicano author, poet, and educator. He is a recipient of both the Jane Addams Award for Children’s Literature as well as the Pura Belpré Award. His work in children’s poetry has reached many, and makes poetry relatable to all ages. Given his renown, it is no surprise that we have featured him several times in our blog. This April ..read more

Author: Adriana de Almeida Navarro Illustrator: Bill Borges Publisher‏: ‎ Ciranda Cultural; 1ª edição (15 dezembro 2022) Language‏: ‎Portuguese Age: 5-8 years old Region: South America (Brazil) The book Carolina Maria de Jesus, written by Adriana de Almeida Navarro and illustrated by Bill Borges, delves deeply into the life and work of one of the most important Brazilian writers of the 20th century. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the journey of Carolina Maria de Jesus (1914-1977) from her poor childhood in the state of Minas Gerais to her international recognition as a crucia ..read more

Written by: Gloria Arjona Illustrated by: Arturo Martinez Publisher: Strong Words Press (March 20, 2023) Language‏: ‎English Region: North America (Mexico) Ages: 8–18 years old Yanga: The Road to Freedom” is a fascinating book about Gaspar Yanga, or Nyanga, a brave leader who fought for freedom in colonial Mexico. Written by Arjona, the story captures Yanga’s struggles and courage, while Martinez’s illustrations make the tale come alive. We follow Yanga’s journey from Africa to his courageous resistance and the founding of a free community in Veracruz. Arturo Martinez, a native of the state w ..read more

Book blog authors credited include past contributors Jéssica Pereira, Alice Donahue, Katrina Dillon, Jasmine Morse, Kalyn Finnell, Ericka, Lorraine, Marleen Linares-González, Jake, and Whitney Wagner.  While we continue our regular weekly posts here at the LAII, we have many blog posts and resources from previous years to use in the classroom or pursue for your own interests. February is notoriously the shortest month of the year even with the occasional Leap Day, which is why we compiled this reference post updating our recent posts featuring Afro-Caribbean and Afro-descendant narrative ..read more

Author: Claribel A. Ortega  Language: Spanglish, mostly English with Spanish phrases  Region: United States  Illustrator: Rose Bousamra  Published by: First Second, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership, New York  2022  Frizzy, the 2022 graphic novel by Claribel Ortega, is our pick of the week. As noted by many at the LAII and educators alike, graphic novels are particularly helpful in translating difficult topics to younger audiences. This use is exemplified by the repeated use of classics like Art Spiegelman’s Maus and Marjane S ..read more

Written by: Fernando Vilela (Author, Illustrator), Daniel Hahn (Translator) Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids; Illustrated edition (October 1, 2019) Region: South America (Brazil) Ages: 3-8 years old Language: English Awards: A USBBY Outstanding International Book An Amazon Best Book of 2019 in the Ages 6–8 category A Junior Library Guild Selection A Capitol Choices Book When the rainy season begins, an entire village moves into the forest. But something is left behind—the tortoise Titi. The siblings Cauã and Inaê then experience an adventure along the Tapajós (pronounced ta-pa-ZHOS) River. “Al ..read more

Escrito por: Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro  Región: Puerto Rico  Publicado por: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform por la cátedra de mujeres ancestrales y el departamento de estudios afropuertorriqueños   Idioma: Español   “María Calabó: de niña curiosa a mujer líder” es parte de una serie especial de libros publicados por un proyecto de escritura creativa dirigido por Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro llamado la Cátedra de Mujeres Negras Ancestrales y afiliado con el Departamento de Estudios Afropuertorriqueños. Recomendamos este proyecto mucho, y espero que esta revista ..read more

Escrito por: Edna Iturralde Illustrado por: Israel Barrón Editorial: Vista Higher Learning (October 17, 2023) Idiomas: Español Rango de edad: 5 – 8 años Región: América del Norte (Mexico) Edna Iturralde y Israel Barrón narran en la colección “Personajes del Mundo Hispánico” la historia de la pionera arqueóloga estadunidense Zelia Nuttall. Nacida en 1857 en San Francisco, California, en una familia de origen mexicano, comenzó su interés por la arqueología cuando su madre le dio “el mejor regalo del mundo”: un libro llamado “Antigüedades del México”. A través de sus ricos dibujos, la pequeña Ze ..read more

Escrito por: María Isabel Sánchez Vegara  Illustrado por: Erica Salcedo Saiz  Editorial: Alba Editorial; 1st edition (April 4, 2018)  Idiomas: Español  Rango de edad: 5 – 8 años  Región: América del Norte (Estados Unidos)  “Pequeña & Grande: Georgia O’Keeffe” es una obra literaria creada por María Isabel Vegara y Erica Saiz. Este libro forma parte de la serie “Pequeña & Grande”, la cual destaca biografías ilustradas de mujeres extraordinarias en la historia mundial. En esta biografía, la narrativa se enfoca en la vida y obra de la pintora, escultora y fot ..read more