Antonio's Card / La Tarjeta de Antonio - Hardcover

Gonzalez, Rigoberto; Alvarez, Cecilia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0892392045 ISBN 13: 9780892392049

Publisher: Children's Book Press, 2005

Synopsis

Antonio loves words, because words have the power to express feelings like love, pride, or hurt. Mother's Day is coming soon, and Antonio searches for the words to express his love for his mother and her partner, Leslie. But he's not sure what to do when his classmates make fun of Leslie, an artist, who towers over everyone and wears paint-splattered overalls. As Mother's Day approaches, Antonio must choose whether — or how — to express his connection to both of the special women in his life.

Rigoberto González's bilingual story resonates with all children who have been faced with speaking up for themselves or for the people they love. Cecilia Concepción Álvarez's paintings bring the tale to life in tender, richly hued detail.

About this title

About the Author:

Rigoberto González - Author was born in Bakersfield, California, and raised in Michoacán, Mexico. The son and grandson of migrant farmworkers, he is an award-winning poet and writer. Since completing his third university degree, he has worked mostly in New York and primarily with children and young adults as a dance instructor, daycare provider, literacy specialist, and creative writing teacher.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-3–Antonio loves his routine–being dropped off at school by his mother in the morning and picked up by her partner, Leslie, in the afternoon. His family, though different from a lot of kids, suits him perfectly. Then some of the children begin to make comments about Leslie's unusual height, her masculine appearance, and her paint-splattered overalls. Antonio withers under the force of this scrutiny, withdraws a bit, and wants to change the routine so that the other children won't see Leslie. Still, even the negative peer pressure cannot keep him from drawing a lovely card for Mother's Day, a card for both of his mothers. When his teacher announces that the cards will be displayed in the lunchroom, the child becomes afraid all over again. It takes sharing a love of art and of family with Leslie for Antonio to feel ready to claim his family publicly. Sensitively written in English, with an excellent translation by Jorge Argueta, the narrative captures the social worries and concerns that children in nontraditional families may experience. The acrylic illustrations are bright and colorful. Unfortunately, they are a bit amateurish in execution, with perspectives flattened and occasional problems with distorted facial features. Regardless, this story deals brilliantly with issues of inclusion.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Children's Book Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0892392045
• ISBN 13: 9780892392049
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32