Synopses & Reviews
Sensitively told and true to the experience of many Mexican Americans, this bilingual picture book bridges the borders that separate all families who must live far apart from their loved ones.—
Booklist"...accompanied by innovative illustrations, originally modeled with clay. Reminiscent of Mexican folk art, they fit the story especially well, conveying its warmth and poignancy."—Kirkus Reviews
"A tender love story of a book...a kiss on the forehead at bedtime!"—Naomi Shihab Nye
"A stylist in both poetry and prose, Sáenz has now taken his magic of flight to younger readers. This is his gift to them. Parents, snuggle up to your children at night and read this delightful tale of Dieguito."—Gary Soto
"La traduccíon al español es buena y el diseño del libro es atractivo."—People en Español
"The tender story in A Gift From Papá Diego / Un regalo de Papá Diego by Benjamin Alire Saenz is sprinkled with Spanish expressions throughout the English version, adding to the flavor of this bilingual tale. A glossary of the terms used is provided at the end of the book. In addition, a complete Spanish text is printed on each half page. Illustrations of wonderful clay figures painted with bright colors highlight the narrative and provide an attractive graphic border. This paperback original is a debut into the world of children's books for Mr. Saenz, and he has succeeded in writing a poignant read-aloud book for young children - at once entertaining and comforting."—Barbara Bonds Thomas
Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born in his grandmother’s house in Picacho, New Mexico—a farming village 40 miles north of the border between Mexico and the United States. Ben’s parents spoke mostly Spanish at home and his grandparents spoke only Spanish, so Ben learned much of his English from his brothers and sisters, his friends, and by watching cartoons on television. When he was a little boy, he was a passionate reader of comic books—Superman, Spiderman, Batman, and all the rest of the Super Heros. Ben thought it was cool that Superman could fly. Growing up, Ben discovered that he liked to write. He liked to draw and paint, too.
Synopsis
A border is nothing for people who love.
Little Diego loves his grandfather, but they don't see each other often because Pap Diego lives in Mexico and Little Diego lives in Texas across the border. One day Little Diego's father gives him a pile of comic books that his father had when he was growing up. In those comic books Little Diego discovers Superman. Maybe if he was like Superman, then he could fly off to see his grandfather in Mexico So Little Diego tells his mother that he wants a Superman outfit for his birthday. His parents buy him one, but, of course, Little Diego cannot fly. He's heart-broken. Still, because he has had the daring to imagine, a wonderful event occurs and he enjoys one of his happiest birthdays ever
Each illustration in Pap Diego was built out of terra cotta clay and painted with acrylic paints. This gives the illustrations a 3 dimensional quality which kids will love
Synopsis
A border is nothing for people who love--and Little Diego loves his grandpa more than anything
Una frontera no es nada para los que se aman: y Dieguito ama a su abuelo m s que nada
Little Diego doesn't get to see his grandfather nearly as much as he'd like. He lives in Texas and his Pap Diego lives in Mexico across the border. One day Little Diego's father gives him a pile of superhero comic books that he had growing up. In those comic books, Little Diego find a way to see his Pap Diego more often. Maybe if he was like the magical superhero, then he could fly off to see his grandfather in Mexico So Little Diego tells his mother that he wants the superhero's costume for his birthday. His parents buy him one, but, of course, Little Diego cannot fly. He's heart-broken. Still, because he had the daring to imagine, a wonderful event occurs and he enjoys a magical birthday anyway.
Each illustration in Pap Diego was built out of terra cotta clay and painted with acrylic paints. This gives the illustrations a 3 dimensional quality which kids will love
Dieguito no ve a su abuelo tanto como le gustar a. l vive en Texas y su Pap Diego vive en M xico al otro lado de la frontera. Un d a, el padre de Dieguito le da una pila de c mics de superh roes que ten a cuando era ni o. En esos c mics, el peque o Diego encuentra la manera de ver a su Pap Diego m s. Tal vez si fuera como el superh roe m gico, podr a volar a M xico para ver a su abuelo As que Dieguito le dice a su madre que quiere el disfraz del superh roe para su cumplea os. Sus padres le compran uno, pero, por supuesto, Dieguito no puede volar. Tiene el coraz n roto. A n as , ya que tubo la osad a de imaginar, ocurre un evento maravilloso y disfruta un cumplea os m gico de todas maneras.
Cada ilustraci n de Pap Diego se construy de terracota y se pint con pinturas acr licas. Esto le da a las ilustraciones una calidad tridimensional les encantar a los peque os
Synopsis
Little Diego loves his grandfather, but they don't see each other often because Papa Diego lives in Mexico. Little Diego asks for a Superman outfit for his birthday -- he will fly across the border to Mexico to be with his grandfather. His mother sews him one, but, of course, Little Diego cannot fly. He's heartbroken. Still, he enjoys one of his happiest birthdays ever!
Synopsis
"A border is nothing for people who love."
About the Author
BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ was born in his grandmother's house in Picacho, New Mexico--on the outskirts of Las Cruces, New Mexico where Juliana in Hollywood is set. He was the fourth of seven children and was brought up in a traditional Mexican-American Catholic family. His family spoke mostly Spanish at home, and it was only through his education in the public schools that he learned to speak and write in English. He entered the seminary in 1972, a decision that was as much political as it was religious: he was heavily influenced by such Catholic thinkers as Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, César Chavez and the Berrigan brothers. After concluding his theological studies at the University of Louvain, he was ordained a Catholic priest. Three and a half years later, he left the priesthood. At the age of 30, he entered the Creative Writing Program at the University of Texas at El Paso. He later received a fellowship at the University of Iowa, and in 1988, he received a Wallace E. Stegner Fellowship in poetry from Stanford University. In 1993 he returned to the border to teach in the Bilingual MFA program at the University of Texas at El Paso. His most recent book of poetry, Elegies in Blue, was published by Cinco Puntos Press in 2002. This is his first book for young adults.