Clara and Senor Frog

Sawed in half? Rabbits pulled from hats? These are tricks, just magic tricks, and Clara knows them all. But on a visit to a rich gringo's house, she spots a picture of a watermelon, done by a famous artist. The painted fly on it looks so real, Clara swears she saw it move. At last, real magic! Soon Clara discovers her own artistic abilities and she paints as if from a dreamÑorange cats with silver wings and shells that open up like flowers. This beautiful, original story is peppered with Spanish words, features a character reminiscent of Diego Rivera, and vibrant illustrations that evoke the essence of Mexican art.

"An arresting opening sentence-'Watching from the shadows, I see Mamá being sawed in half'-signals a far from formulaic portrait of a young Mexican girl. Clara's mother works for a magician, but Clara is not impressed: 'Tricks, just tricks, I know them all.' When a fat, dumpy painter falls for and marries Clara's mother, Clara dubs him Señor Frog and imagines him with four legs and a long, sticky tongue. But Señor Frog-loosely modeled on Diego Rivera-proves to understand magic in an entirely new way, painting objects that look startlingly real, and Clara begins to trust him and to learn from him. Under his tutelage, she discovers that she loves to paint as well. 'When I married your mama I got two models for my paintings,' says Señor, 'and one little artist, too.' Although Clara's mother is a dark-haired Mexican beauty, debut illustrator Sanchez emphasizes the notion that Señor Frog and Clara share something special by painting them both with Rivera-esque wide faces and soulful eyes. Packed with images of Mexican life-stucco buildings, tiled roofs and the white lilies that Rivera loved to paint-Sanchez's sunny gouaches echo the warmth and sabor of Geeslin's (Elenita) tale. Geeslin simultaneously unpacks the problem of getting used to a new parent, explores the life of an artist and evokes a culture new to many readers with skill and compassion. Ages 4-8." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Campbell Geeslin is the author of many books about children in Mexico. His most recent, Elena's Serenade, received three starred reviews and a Parents' Choice Award. Señor Geeslin lives in White Plains, New York.

Ryan Sanchez's work has been shown in galleries all over the world. He has illustrated for Spin Magazine, The New Republic, and The Village Voice. This is Señor Sanchez's first children's book. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.