The Streets are Free

by Kurusa, Monika Doppert (Illustrator)

This inspiring book is based on the true story of the children of the barrio of San Jose de la Urbina in Caracas, Venezuela. There are no parks where they live, and the children must play in the streets. They ask the mayor for an empty lot to build a playground, but all they get are campaign promises. They know that they are the only ones who will make something happen, so they get their friends and family involved until the whole barrio unites to create a space of their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Poverty, Childrens, Latinx, Middle Grade, Young Adult

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and spent the first years of his life in Caracas, the U.S. and Costa Rica. Shee studied anthropology at McGill University in Montreal and then developed her career in the field of libraries and books for children. Lives in Caracas with her daughter, a granddaughter and several animals. Shee travels constantly for her work and also to visit her two sons and two grandchildren and the newest granddaughter. Her passions are books, sea and sailboats. A secret:She always dreamed of having a wild red mane of hair. Her main influences are her storytelling mother join with an encyclopedic and avid reader father.

Nació en Caracas, Venezuela, y pasó los primeros años de su vida entre Caracas, Estados Unidos y Costa Rica. Estudió antropología en la Universidad de McGill en Montreal y luego desarrolló su carrera profesional en el campo de las bibliotecas y los libros para niños. Vive en Caracas con su hija , una nieta y varios animales. Viaja constantemente por su trabajo y también para visitar a sus dos hijos, y dos nietos y la nieta mas nueva. Sus pasiones son los libros, el mar y los veleros. Un secreto: siempre soñó con tener una salvaje melena roja. Sus principales influencias son su madre cuenta cuentos, un padre enciclopédico y lector empedernido.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheo, Carlitos and Camila lived in the barrio neighborhood of San José de la Urbina, on the heights above the city of Caracas. Like children everywhere, they liked to play. Unfortunately, the crowded conditions in their neighborhood meant there really wasn't a safe and pleasant place for them to do so. Inspired by their local librarian, the children marched to City Hall, to ask the mayor to provide them with a playground. When that didn't produce much, the community itself got involved...

Originally published in 1981 in Venezuela as La Calle es Libre, this engaging story features a group of children who attempt to solve a serious problem in their lives, getting active in adult politics and community organizing in the process. Apparently Kurusa's narrative is based upon a true story, although her foreword mentions that the real children of San José de la Urbina never succeeded in getting their playground, despite all their efforts. That reality gives the story here added poignancy, I thought. The text here is rather long for a picture-book, so I'd describe The Streets Are Free more as an illustrated short story. I've been hearing about this one for a while, so I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to read it. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories set in Venezuela, or that highlight issues of poverty and activism.

[Mirjam · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book! An interesting story about a community organizing and coming together - and it links into something all kids can empathize with: the need for a playground.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this was based off of a true story. I also like almost all stories with KID POWER! Kids making a difference always inspires me.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children petition the mayor for a playground, stage a protest, talk to reporters, go to hearings. When politicians fail to come through again they organize their neighbors to build the playground.

[Melian Aymme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un muy buen libro para tratar el tema de la pobreza en los barrios bajos de las ciudades, nos enseña que por lo general los políticos no se preocupan de darle un espacio para jugar a los niños de los barrios mas pobres, por lo que al final los niños y los papás terminan creando el patio de juegos de forma independiente. El libro en si es muy bueno para darle a entender a la gente que tiene mas recursos el tipo de carencia de espacios didácticos con los que cuentan los niños con menos recursos.
En lo personal, a mi me gusto mucho el libro, porque muestra que siempre hay una forma de encontrar una solución a las cosas, sin importar si cuentan con mucho dinero o no.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to introduce into a school library for UK ks3/4 to support Spanish.

Filled with gorgeous illustrations and set in a barrio in Venezuela, this is a brilliant story of children seeking change in their community and local communities coming together to effect change for themselves. It's particularly satisfying to find the local librarian a central figure in the push for change.

[Katherine Fernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantaría regalarle una copia de este librito a cada niño que conozco.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about the struggles of organizing for a playground, especially if you are a child.

[Elfdart · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute book about some kids who live in this city that keeps growing leaving them with no where to play, so they play in the streets. people get mad a t them for getting in the way on the street so they yell back ‘but the streets are free’. but the adults dont listen, so the kids take their problem to city hall, and the mayor ultimately does nothing after promising to build them a playground. so the kids come together and inspire the community to come together to build the playground. it’s a nice little story about fighting for what you want and what is important to you, in a realistic setting. it’s cute.

[Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nos cuenta la historia de un grupo de niños de una barriada de Caracas que, hartos de no tener donde jugar (producto del hacinamiento), se movilizan ante las autoridades para reclamar un parque. Pone en relieve el importante papel que juega la biblioteca pública para la comunidad, en cuanto el bibliotecario fue el articulador de la demanda y de los debates. Un bello cuento, bellamente contado y dibujado.

[Elizabeth]

The note at the beginning says, "The Streets are Free is based on the true story of the children of the barrio of San José de La Urbina, who wanted a place to play. They still don't have it, but continue dreaming and fighting for their playground," which was a bummer -- I was hoping the happy ending was true.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Health box
Small town grows very large, no where for children to play. So the kids petition the mayor. He makes a campaign promise to make a park. He doesn't follow through so the kids end up getting parents and neighbors together to build it. (Not an easy task)

[Camille]

Beautiful true story about kids showing inspiring self determination. I got it from the library and will definitely be buying it for my son. I was raised to fight for justice and want to share images and stories of children who have done this with my child.

[Davelowusa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's picturebook about community organizing in Caracas.