"The Best Mariachi in the World" Book News

Mariachi Released!

2008-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Order now:

Buy Mariachi at Amazon.com

Also available from Raven Tree Press

The Book!

2008-09-25T07:09:00.001-07:00

The Mariachi books are printed! I've recently had the pleasure of seeing the book for myself for the first time. So exciting! Here's a small preview:

The time's almost here! The book should be officially released in the beginning of October. Remember to put in an order with your local bookstore, or with Amazon.com.

Learn Spanish: Art

2008-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

ART
Spanish: el arte (AR-tay)

ILLUSTRATOR
Spanish: el ilustrador (ill-UH-struh-dor)

TO DRAW
Spanish: dibujar (dee-boo-HAR)

Layout Sketches

2008-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a behind-the-scenes look into the making of Mariachi. This is what the book looked like early on, while I was planning out some of the scenes from the story.

Learn Spanish: Writing

2008-09-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

BOOK
Spanish: el libro (LEE-broh)

WRITER
Spanish: el escritor (es-KREE-tor)

Review by Criticas

2008-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Gustavo was born to a family of Mariachis who play great music at weddings and parties. He wishes he could be part of the family band, but he can’t play any of their instruments and this makes him extremely sad. One night, he goes to the desert and sings a melancholy song to release his frustration. And it turns out, he has a beautiful voice! Ecstatic, he goes back to town and begins to sing at the top of his lungs. Little by little, the lights in all the houses go on and the whole neighborhood cheers him from balconies and windows. Finally, Gustavo is admitted into the family band and even told that he is “the best mariachi in the world.” Beautifully illustrated with bright, vibrant colors, this is a charming tale about finding one’s own talent, which also incorporates the cultural tradition of the mariachis. Available in Spanish, English, and bilingual (English text sprinkled with Spanish terms) editions, this is a great addition for public and school libraries, as well as bookstores."

http://www.criticasmagazine.com/article/ca6584770.html

Review by Washington Parent

2008-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Gustavo wants to be in the family mariachi band, but he can’t play the violin, trumpet or guitar. He feels left out and unskilled. Many young readers will relate to Gustavo’s feelings and to his yearning for a unique talent. The vivid illustrations show the boy, accompanied by his canine buddy, visiting the desert near his home in the early mornings. Gustavo finds the cacti and the sky’s “black bowl of stars” so beautiful that he just has to sing – and in so doing, recognizes what he can best contribute to the band. Written in English, with concept words in Spanish, this charming story introduces young English speakers to another language and culture, while the simple vocabulary and short sentences will help young Spanish speakers develop a better understanding of English.

http://www.washingtonparent.com/articles/0809/books.php

Learn Spanish: Languages

2008-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

SPANISH = Español (es-pan-YOHL)

ENGLISH = Inglés (in-GLAYS)

Learn Spanish: Dance

2008-08-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

TO DANCE
Spanish: bailar (bahy-LAR)

Gustavo's Daydream

2008-08-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

In one of the pivotal scenes in the book, Gustavo dreams of what it would be like to be in his family's mariachi band.

I sketched out this spread early in the making of the book. It is a big doodle made with a ballpoint pen, filling a large page in my sketchbook. This was one of my first drawings I ever made of Gustavo and the rest of the characters.

A refined version:

When I painted the illustration, I did it in pieces. First, I made the "daydream" portion of the image.

Next, I painted Gustavo and his dog.

Using the computer, I placed them together to create one picture.

To finish, I added a little bit of texture onto the paper to make it a little more interesting.

Learn Spanish: Singing

2008-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

TO SING
Spanish: cantar (kan-TAR)

SONG
Spanish: la canción (kan-see-OHN)

SINGER
Spanish: el cantante (kan-TAHN-tay)

Sketches

2008-08-15T06:27:00.001-07:00

A behind-the-scenes look into some of the scenes from the book:

Coloring Page: Gustavo

2008-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Download: PDF or JPEG

Learn Spanish: Cowboy

2008-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

COWBOY
Spanish: Vaquero (vah-KAIR-oh)

Learn to Draw Gustavo

2008-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Draw a circle.

2. Draw guidelines.

3. Make circles for the eyes.

4. Add nose, eyebrows, and mouth.

5. Add hair and ears.

6. Fill in the details.

7. Shade your drawing.

Learn Spanish: Family

2008-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

FATHER
Spanish: Padre (PAH-drey)

UNCLE
Spanish: Tío (TEE-oh)

BROTHER
Spanish: Hermano (air-MAH-noh)

COUSIN (male)
Spanish: Primo (PREE-moh)

Mariachi on AmazonConnect

2008-07-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have just created an AmazonConnect account, which means you can now view news and updates for the book directly on Mariachi's Amazon.com pages.

You can view my profile here or go to directly to my Amazon Blog page here. Subscribe via RSS or use the site's own service, Amazon Daily.

Learn Spanish: Cacti

2008-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

NOPAL (noh-PAHL)
A prickly pear cactus

SAGUARO (sah-WAH-roh)
Large, tree-sized cactus

Getting to Know the Characters

2008-07-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

GUSTAVO
The main character in the story. His greatest wish is to play an instrument in his family's mariachi band.

GUSTAVO'S DOG
A loyal friend.

GUSTAVO'S FATHER
Plays the guitar in the family band.

RAYMUNDO
Gustavo's brother, who plays the violin.

UNCLE ENRIQUE
Plays the trumpet in the family band.

GUSTAVO'S COUSINS
Play the trumpet, the violin, and the guitar.

Drawing Gustavo

2008-07-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Learn Spanish: Clothes

2008-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

EL TRAJE DE CHARRO (tra-HAY day chARRR-oh)
The colorful costume traditionally worn by mariachis.

SOMBRERO (sum-brAIR-oh)
Wide-brimmed hat.

Coloring Page

2008-07-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Download: PDF or JPEG

Learn Spanish: Instruments

2008-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

VIOLIN
Spanish: el violín (vee-oh-LIN)

TRUMPET
Spanish: la trompeta (trawm-PET-ah)

GUITAR
Spanish: la guitarra (git-ARRRR-ah) Roll those r's!

The History of Mariachis

2008-07-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Mariachis have been playing music since about 1880. Some people believe the name mariachi was a kind of tree used to make stages and musical instruments that mariachis play. Most mariachi bands have the Spanish guitar (guitarra), a small bass guitar with a rounded back (the guitarrón), a high-pitched guitar with five strings (the vihuela), violins, and at least two trumpets.

In addition to their instruments, mariachis are known for their unique clothing. The traje de charro (cowboy suit) consists of a close-fitting jacket and pants with brightly colored trim, and a wide sombrero (hat) with bright embroidery. At first only men wore the traje de charro and played mariachi, but in the last fifty years more and more women have joined them, either in mixed or all-woman bands.

The Making of the Cover

2008-07-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a rough sketch I created for the cover of Mariachi.

After I had the general idea, I went on to refine the sketch. I started by researching different types of cacti to make a more authentic desert setting.

Next, I refined the designs and poses of the characters.

Here is my finished revised sketch.

Next, I created a few color studies to help me decide how the final cover might look.

The Final Painting:

Learn Spanish: Band

2008-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

BAND
a group of musicians

Spanish: la banda (BAND-ah)

Introducing "The Best Mariachi in the World"

2008-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

From Raven Tree Press:

Everyone in Gustavo’s family is in a mariachi band . . .

Everyone except Gustavo, that is. They all play violines, trompetas and guitarrones. They all make wonderful music in restaurants and at wedding parties. Gustavo would love to join the band, but he can’t play any of the instruments. What’s a wannabe mariachi to do? Follow Gustavo as he finds his place in the family mariachi band.

Three versions of this book are available:

Bilingual version, presented primarily in English with key concept words in Spanish.

Spanish only version

English only version

About the Author:

Educated at American University, the University of Chicago, the University of Houston and Carleton University, J.D. Smith is adept at writing in various genres. He has published fiction, essays, op-eds and reviews in a wide variety of publications in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. He lives near Washington’s Southwest Waterfront with his wife Paula and Roo the Rescue Dog.

J.D.’s interest in the Mariachi book’s subject stems in part from growing up in Aurora, Illinois, a Chicago suburb with a large Hispanic population. He began to study Spanish in high school and continued his studies as an undergraduate and graduate student, complementing his formal instruction with travel in Mexico, Spain, Guatemala and Venezuela. His work, as well as his studies, has involved Latin American culture. J.D. has taught English as a Second Language in his hometown and has analyzed Latin American markets for products including candy, cleaning products and mayonnaise.

About the Illustrator:

Dani Jones is a full-time illustrator. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Before she began illustrating children’s books she did spots for children’s magazines and some educational work.

Dani, a triplet, was born in Seoul, South Korea. She and her sisters, Nicole and Shannon, were adopted and all moved to Michigan when they were six months old. Dani’s family grew up all over the United States and they have lived in six different states and 15 different houses between 1983 and 1998. Dani and her cats, Melon and Harry, now call Keene, NH home. She is still very close to her family and one of her favorite places in the world is wherever they happen to be.

Visit www.danijones.com to see Dani's full portfolio of work.

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