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Bold, Creative Girls and Women in Picture Books & 5 Book GIVEAWAY

Please welcome Duncan Tonatiuh with his list of Bold, Creative Girls and Women in Picture Books (from his daughter’s library).

We are giving away 5 copies of his book, Danza! Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

Bold, Creative Girls and Women in Picture Books (from my daughter’s library)

1. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López

This book is based on the story of Millo Castro, a young girl who pursued her dream of playing the drums at a time when girls in Cuba where not supposed to. Engles verses and López’s illustrations add magic to this inspirational story. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

2. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

This fun book in rhymes is about a young girl who gets into a bit of trouble investigating the cause of a mysterious pungent smell. Ada does not give up on her inquiry though because she has the mind and determination of a scientist. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

3. Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin

This fun book about two Chinese-American twin sisters is broken up into six short stories that connect at the end. It is a great read for beginning readers. [easy reader, ages 5 and up]

4. Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko

In this beautifully illustrated book the main characters discuss the oppression that both women and African-Americans faced. They see the similarities between both groups and decide they need to take action. But first they need to finish drinking their tea. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This 104 page book spans over the life of the jazz era dancer and civil right’s activist. It is written in rhythmic verse and illustrated with Robinson’s delightful acrylics. [advanced picture book in chapters, ages 10 and up]

6. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Through poignant vignettes and vibrant collage illustrations this book recounts the life of the civil right leader known for her powerful voice. We see Hamer’s journey from rural Mississippi to speaking at the Democratic National Convention in 1968. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

7. Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra

I have not had the opportunity to hold and read the book but I really like Parra’s naif like artwork and I remember Monica Brown telling me about the book before it was published. Brown and Parra have made great picture books together in the past and Frida was certainly bold and creative. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

8. Danza! Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México by Duncan Tonatiuh

Amalia was determined to become a dancer from a young age. As an adult she used her knowledge of ballet and modern dance to adapt the traditional dances of Mexico for the world stage. I especially enjoyed trying to capture movement in my illustrations for this book. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

5 Book Giveaway of Picture Book Danza!

We are giving away 5 copies of his book, Danza! Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. We can only ship to U.S. and AFO Box addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Duncan Tonatiuh (toh-nah-tee-YOU) is the author-illustrator of The Princess and the Warrior, Funny Bones, Separate Is Never Equal, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote, Diego Rivera: His World and Ours and Dear Primo. He is the illustrator of Esquivel! and Salsa. His books have received multiple accolades, among them the Pura Belpré Medal, the Sibert Medal, The Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award, The Américas Award, the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award and the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award.

Duncan Tonatiuh is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. His artwork is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, particularly that of the Mixtec codex. His aim is to create images and stories that honor the past, but that are relevant to people, specially children, nowadays.

To learn more about Duncan, please check out his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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