THE NEXT CHAPTER: A gathering to celebrate Children's Book Press' past and future

After 36 years of publishing groundbreaking multicultural and bilingual picture books, Children’s Book Press is moving into its next phase of existence as an imprint of New York–based publisher Lee & Low. Please join us as we celebrate the enormous impact CBP has had on children’s literature and the lives of countless children and their families.

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

7:00 PM (Program begins at 7:30 PM)

The Green Arcade Bookstore

1680 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Enjoy light refreshments while listening to tributes by authors, artists, former staff and other community members. A limited number of Children’s Book Press’ archival paperbacks will be sold at their original 1975 prices! This event is FREE and open to the public. All

ages welcome!

Please RSVP to cbp.nextchapter@gmail.com by February 27th.

A partial list of books published by Children's Book Press

Hats, Gloves, Hot Cocoa with Love

Spring is right around the corner, but for many of us, winter still has us in her grip. If you're looking for a book with which to snuggle up with your nenes, consider Hats, Gloves, Hot Cocoa With Love/Gorros, Guantes, Chocolate Caliente Con Amor.

This bilingual picture book is a short poem that reflects the warmth of the season. It comes with full text in both English and Spanish. It is a great way to teach second language learners new vocabulary associated with winter.

The illustrations are attractive and childlike, encouraging to young artists. After reading this book, break out some paper and crayons and ask your child to draw their favorite winter scene.

A recipe for hot cocoa is included at the beginning of the book, and a glossary can be found in the back. This book is best suited for children ages newborn to 6 years old.

To purchase a copy, visit the author, Gretchen Archambault's, website at http://www.angelchildrenbooks.com/.

February's Libro del Mes: Lola's Fandango

Lola's Fandango, El fandango de Lola

by Anna Witte

illustrated by Micha Archer

narrated by the Amador Family

We are deviating just a bit from our normal selections for this month's libro del mes. Instead of a bilingual book, we have chosen a bilingual audio book published by Barefoot Books.

Lola's Fandango is a heart-warming story about a young girl named Lola, who feels trapped in the shadow of her vibrant, older sister, Clementina...until one day when she discovers a pair of dancing shoes in her Mami's closet. After a little bit of pleading, Lola's Papi finally agrees to teach Lola the art of flamenco. But does Lola have the duende needed to really master the dance?

My children and I first listened to this book at their bedtime reading routine. I popped the CD into the player and we curled up on my daughter's bed. It was so much fun listening to this story while turning the pages of the book. The storytelling CD is filled with not just the voice actors' words, but also with music and sound effects that truly bring this book to life. And before I knew it, we were tapping our feet and clapping our hands to the rhythms within the story.

The Spanish version of this book is just as rich and entertaining as the English version. I really appreciate the quality of the CDs and the recording by the Amador family - and I think you will, too. Both versions come with a 3-track CD that includes an intro, a read-aloud, and a follow-along with page-turn signals.

The illustrations are bold and colorful, creating an feeling of movement and rhythm to the story. I could see snapshots of my own family in Spain embedded within the book and I was happy to introduce some of the scenes to my children.

I have been super pleased with the audio books that we've listened to lately. And I have found them to be a wonderful tool for developing my children's literacy skills. So I am extremely happy to recommend this particular book as the LBBC's February Book of the Month.

Teachers and parents: This book is great for studies on flamenco, Spain, and family relationships. Other good topics would be sibling rivalry, individuality, music, and dance. Best suited for children ages 4 and older

To purchase your own copy of Lola's Fandango/El fandango de Lola, visit Barefoot Books' website.

The 2012 Pura Belpré Award Winners

Last month this year's winners of the Pura Belpré Award were announced. I am so excited that both the Author and the Illustrator Awards went to two excellent books reviewed on the LBBC last year, as was one of the Illustrator Honor Books. I am eager to read the other honor books and share them with my children. If you are looking for some good reading this month, take a look at these titles. To read the LBBC reviews, click on the linked titles. Also, you can watch the video made by Rafael López on our sister site, MommyMaestra.com.

2012 Author Award Winner

Under the Mesquite

by Guadalupe García McCall

2012 Illustrator Award Winner

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours

by Duncan Tonatiuh

2012 Author Honor Books

Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck

by Margarita Engle

Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel:

A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller

by Xavier Garza

2012 Illustrator Honor Books 

The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred

illustrated by Rafael López

written by Samantha R. Vamos

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match /Marisol McDonald no combina

illustrated by Sara Palacios

written by Monica Brown