Made in Mexico

by Peter Laufer, Susan Roth (Illustrator)

Fullcolor collages and accompanying text describe the importance of the guitar in Mexico, especially in Paracho, a tiny town which is becoming the center of the Mexican guitar industry.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Peter Laufer, Ph.D., is the author of more than a dozen books that deal with social and political issues, including "Mission Rejected: U.S. Soldiers Who Say No to Iraq," "Wetback Nation: The Case for Opening the Mexican-American Border," and "Iron Curtain Rising: A Personal Journey through the Changing Landscape of Eastern Eurpoe." He is the coanchor of "The Peter Laufer Show" on radio station Green 960 in San Francisco. More about his books, documentary films, broadcasts, which have won the George Polk, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward R. Murrow, and other awards, can be found at peterlaufer.com. He lives in Bodega Bay, California.

Reviews

[Araceli Aispuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made in Mexico is a story about the best guitars that are made in Paracho, Mexico. These guitars made are just as good as those made in any other country, that may be much more expensive. The Zona Rosa is another place where not only can you hear guitars playing but also jazz. Musicians cram the concert halls to play their guitars.Only once a year guitarist from all around the globe cone to Paracho to play at the guitar festival. But everything is not always good in Mexico, for the Norteamericanos are living in poverty and desperation. There is more than mariachi music in Mexico. But still deep in Mexico people are happy and free of poverty because making guitars helps people pay for food and shelter.

The illustrations are made by collage. Very colorful pictures and interesting backgrounds that represent Mexico. Dark and light colors used as well as warm and cool colors. The illustrations correspond well with the text in the story.

Made in Mexico is an interesting book. Although my family is from Mexico I had never heard of Paracho and its guitars before. The book was very engaging. In a classroom I could use this book for a culture activity about the Mexican culture. Also, I would have it made available to the students in the classroom library.

[Kathleen]

Made in Mexico is a nonfiction book that says that people think the only music in Mexico is mariachis. This book goes beyond the Mexican music and explores the Mexican culture. In my class, I would use this book for two reasons. The first to teach about a new culture and its language. There are Spanish phrases throughout the book. I would practice saying the phrases for my class which requires student's listening skills. After the students have practiced hearing the phrases, they will repeat the Spanish phrase. This allows the students to practice speaking skills but in a different language. The second reason I would use this book in my class is to teach reading, writing, and to be specific recognizing compound words. This book has many compound words such as everybody, nightclubs, workshops, and many other. This book could be useful for a language arts lesson on compound words.

[529_Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Paracho Mexico. Paracho is known for guitar making. The children of Paracho learn how to play the guitar and how it is important to their town.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

While way too long for storytime, I very much enjoyed reading this book. I had no idea such amazing guitars were being made in Mexico! Love that!!!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture Book
Ages 6-11