Angélica and la Güira
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A young girl harnesses the power of music to bridge the distance between the Dominican Republic and Washington Heights in this jubilant picture book debut by Angie Cruz, bestselling and award-winning author of Dominicana.
Angélica has spent the summer in the Dominican Republic with her tías and primas, her grandparents, and their parrot, but soon she’ll have to say goodbye. The end of summer means returning home to start school on another shore. Before she leaves, her grandfather gives her the perfect gift. It's something with the power to make people dance as fast as the wings of a hummingbird: a güira. Angélica falls in love with this musical instrument, though nobody shares her enthusiasm at first. “What is that sound,” they say, “pennies inside a tin cup?” But on a hot, sunny day, in the land of Washington Heights, where the frío frío woman scrapes ice for a long line of customers and the men on the corner plunk dominoes on a makeshift carboard table, Angélica shows her neighbors the power of la güira.
Angélica and la Güira lovingly explores music and community, the wisdom and guidance of our elders, and the joy and freedom of dancing in the street. No matter where we are, music brings us closer to home. Don't miss the Spanish-language edition of this book, Angélica y la güira.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
As Angélica and her family prepare to travel from the Dominican Republic, where they've spent the summer, back to New York, she knows she'll soon say goodbye to her family. The day before she leaves, Abuelito gives her a family heirloom, a Güira, shows her how to make its characteristic sound, and tells her about its unique power—"It makes the music go slow slow or speed up—fast fast." But back in Washington Heights, Angélica struggles to find a place to play the Güira, dismissed by her family, the school orchestra, and the neighborhood jazz band. Realizing she can play alone, Angélica picks up the Güira on her building's front steps, evoking the sounds of her ancestors on the instrument, and is soon joined by neighborhood musicians whose jam session leads to a fantastic block party. Batista's digitally created art blends vivid, bright colors and fluid imagery that pairs well with Cruz's uplifting text in this double picture book debut. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Publishing simultaneously in English and Spanish. Ages 5–8.
