The Book!

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

ART
Spanish: el arte (AR-tay)

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

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

Layout Sketches

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

BOOK
Spanish: el libro (LEE-broh)

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

Review by Criticas

"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

"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

SPANISH = Español (es-pan-YOHL)

ENGLISH = Inglés (in-GLAYS)