February's Book of the Month: Diego

Diego
Written by Jonah Winter
Illustrated by Jeanette Winter

The LBBC’s recommendation for February’s Libro del Mes, is Jonah and Jeanette Winter’s Diego.

Although there are a lot of great new books that have recently been published, we don’t want to forget those that have been around for a while, and are classics for bilingual/bicultural readers. Don’t worry! We’ll get to those new titles soon.

So for this month, we are choosing, Diego. Has anyone read this book, yet? If you haven’t, you need to run and buy it right now (or see if your local library has it.) This book has been well written for little children – considering what a – um – colorful? subject Diego is. Though a note of warning: while most of his more infamous reputation has been omitted, there is an honest reference to the things that have influenced his life, such as when he witnessed soldiers shooting the unarmed workers on strike. But it is done directly and simply and the illustration is well done minimizing the impact. I don’t think it is any scarier than some of the other Latin American folktales (or even the English nursery rhymes) that we read to our children, but you should read it first to make sure you approve.

"He loved to draw so much, his father made him a
studio. The walls were covered with blackboards.
Diego drew and drew and drew, making murals
that covered the whole room."

The book does not go into too much detail about his adult life, but instead focuses on his youth - from when he was born (did you know he was a twin?) through his younger years and the experiences that affected his perspective and talent. It just touches on his adult years, mainly as a way to show how his talent developed and why he is significant to art history.

The illustrations are superb! In fact, it was a winner of the NYTimes Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award. I did marvel at each page- the detail, the vibrancy, the way each image successfully conveys the cultural "feeling." (And if you pay attention, Mamis, you may even see Frida watching him painting one of his murals.)

The book has full text in both English and Spanish, that is simply written, yet powerful in its imagery. It is also a Parents’ Choice Award Honor Book and a Reading Rainbow Review Book.

If you would like to buy your own copy of Diego, please click here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store. We have both new and gently used copies available.