Clara and the Man With Books in his Window

by María Teresa Andruetto, Elisa Amado (translator), Martina Trach (illustrator)

This is the story of my mother and her friend Juan, of how she discovered books and he the light of day.

So begins Clara and the Man With Books in His Window. In this beautifully illustrated book, set in rural 1920s Argentina, Hans Christian Andersen Award–winning author María Teresa Andruetto shares the true story of how her mother, Clara, the daughter of a poor laundress, meets Juan, a wealthy and bookish recluse who never leaves his house because he is afraid society will not accept who he really is.

A powerful tale about friendship and about the world available to us when we open a book, but also when we have the courage to be our true selves, Clara and the Man With Books in His Window was selected by the ALIJA and the Fundación Cuatro Gatos as the best book of the year. Now available for the first time in English, it is destined to transfix readers young and old.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, LGBT, Books About Books, Nonfiction, Juvenile, Childrens

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

María Teresa Andruetto nació en Córdoba en 1954. Es una de las escritoras argentinas más prestigiosas y si bien es reconocida principalmente por su obra para niños y jóvenes, también tiene una voluminosa obra publicada para adultos. Cofundó CEDILIJ, Centro de Difusión e Investigación de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil. Como parte de su obra podemos citar Sueño Americano (Caballo negro editora, 2009), Tendedero (CILC, 2009), la obra de teatro Enero (Ferreyra editor, 2005) y numerosos libros para niños y jóvenes, entre otros El anillo encantado (Sudamericana, 1993), Huellas en la arena (Sudamericana,1998), La mujer vampiro (Sudamericana, 2000), Benjamino (Sudamericana, 2003), Trenes (Alfaguara, 2007), El país de Juan (Anaya, 2003/Aique 2010), Campeón (Calibroscopio, 2009), El árbol de lilas (Comunicarte, 2006), Agua cero (Comunicarte, 2007) y El incendio (El Eclipse, 2008). Cynthia Orensztajn nació en 1973 en Buenos Aires. Estudió Diseño Gráfico en la Universidad de Buenos Aires y asistió a los talleres de Mirella Musri, Claudia Legnazzi, Edgard Ródez y realizó el taller “Construcción de un libro ilustrado” dictado por Istvansch. Realizó trabajos para numerosas editoriales como Sudamericana, Sigmar, y Edelvives.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple illustrations, simple text, powerful story. Little Clara loves books and the reclusive neighbor likes to loan his collection to her as she does some laundry for him.

Her innocent inquiry as to why he lives alone is answered:

When I was young, I had a love, a young man who worked in the garden.
Sometimes we would walk down to the stream together.
In those days I wasn't afraid of the light...
but he went away, and I didn't have the courage to go with him.

Clara does not judge him at all, but simply asks what 'courage' means.

Courage is being brave enough to live the way you want to, the way you believe...

Clara simply responds:

I'm going to have courage!

Wow. I just sit here quietly rereading this again, and again.
I'm glad this is in the 'Elementary' section of my local library and kids will read this book, and also have courage!

5*

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andruetto's text is served well by Trach's art: both aspects are richly layered.

And of course, this one will appeal to anyone who loves books.

Library copy

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5

Hermoso !! Las ilustraciones y la historia !! AME

[Barbi Couto · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Esta es la historia de mi madre y su amigo Juan, de cómo ella descubrió los libros y él, la luz del día”. Esas son las primeras palabras que aparecen en “Clara y el hombre de la ventana”. Una clave, un mojón, que la querida Tere Andruetto sembró en el cielo que Martina Trach le dio a ese paisaje árido de pueblo viejo donde transcurre la historia.

Clara le lleva la ropa limpia al señor de la casa grande, un día y otro y otro más. Recorre día tras día la tierra del camino con sus zapatos rojos. Y bajo la alfombra de entrada de la casa grande retira su paga y un regalo: una historia. La lectura atraviesa las páginas en múltiples Claras que van y vienen en colores, en trazos, en siluetas, en un delicado y tan etéreo como mágico trabajo de ilustración. Las historias residen en la casa del hombre gris que vive encerrado, con quién Clara hace crecer una amistad. “Coraje es el valor para vivir como uno quiere, como uno cree”, dice el hombre y Clara encuentra la forma de devolverle la luz y la libertad. Un libro álbum de formato grande que es un deleite para los sentidos y que con unas pocas palabras certeras cuenta una historia de amistad, otra de amor, una infancia, una vida, y el poder de los libros para encontrar los caminos.

(Reseña publicada en La Nueva Mañana del 4/01/2019)
https://lmdiario.com.ar/noticia/12272...

[Annsilver Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Os dejo la reseña de ese libro que es súper cortito pero muy bonito y con significado precioso.
Es un cuento infantil ilustrado la mayoría del libro se entiende a través de las ilustraciones por qué lo que es la historia está contada a través de ellas. Es cierto que hay algunas interacciones entre los personajes que están escritas cero con las ilustraciones solo también podrías entender el libro.
Clara es una chica que le encanta leer y tiene un vecino el cual nunca sale de casa pero interactúa con él atraves de los libros, él le deja en el felpudo de su casa un libro nuevo para Clara a cambio del que le dejó la vez anterior y así ella conseguirá interactuar con él de poquito en poquito.
La historia me ha parecido enternecedora porque pienso que como claro muchos intentamos interactuar con la gente a través de los libros y que en una cosa complicada pero aun así si tienes interés puedes hacerlo.

Las ilustraciones del libro están muy bien hechas por qué se ven perfectamente los juegos de sombra y luz entre ambos personajes y la combinación es un libro precioso.
siempre he pensado que no llega para los cuentos que las historias son historias y no nos damos así que simplemente recomiendo ese libro a cualquiera que quiera leer una bonita historia entre un vecino una niña que solo quiere aprender de libros y un vecino que solo quiere hablar con alguien sobre libros.

Creo que con este libro también aprendes a mirar otra vez con el ojo de la infancia porque él tenía miedo de salir el verla a ella todos los días con ese interés de querer leer más le podía más el miedo.

Muchas gracias a la editorial

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s title brings to mind a fable, and indeed, the story seeks to convey a truth about human nature. But it is also a true story. Author María Teresa Andruetto’s mother Clara is the daughter of a poor laundress when she meets Juan, a wealthy and bookish recluse who never leaves his house for fear of judgement of his true identity (as a man who is attracted to other men). Set in Argentina in the 1920s, the story and its accompanying illustrations are deceptively simple and spare, but pack emotional punch. The book’s landscape orientation is a fitting choice to depict Clara’s many back-and-forth trips delivering laundry to Juan’s house. The silences and spaces tell more than the words. Against these faded collage-wash backdrops, Clara and the books spring forth with energizing color. Clara’s gentle questions draw Juan out of his shell; the chance to share his books and connect, suddenly imperative. This story is unique for its artwork and depiction of intergenerational friendship. “Courage! Courage!” shouts Clara on the last page as she sprints home with a new book from her friend. What takes courage? Who helps you to have courage? This artistic and thought-provoking book will incite important conversations about friendship, acceptance, and bravery. The subtle details of the art would probably be lost in a large group setting– best for small-groups in the classroom or home reading. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argentine author, Maria Teresa Andruetto, captured my heart with this book. It's a story set in rural Argentina in the 1920's, based on the true story of Clara, the author's mother, who delivers laundry to the man in the big house. He is agoraphobic (never named but appears to be his condition): he never leaves his house after he fell in love with a man who left...when he wasn't courageous enough to follow.

Beautiful, sparse illustrations detail Clara's journey on foot to and from the big house, the books she discovers, and the life of the man in the big house.

Themes: lgbtq+, friendship
Ages: school age, grades 2-5+
Pub year: 2025

[Edmundo Mantilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Impresionante! Las ilustraciones te llevan dentro de la historia y te hacen vivir con los personajes por un momento, el necesario para saber lo azarosos que son los encuentros entre personas, que luego son amigas, que luego se escuchan, se ayudan, se aman con coraje. Como dice el hombre en la ventana: «coraje es el valor para vivir como uno quiere, como uno cree...».

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning spreads. I love the hush the brushed muted surfaces make. And such vivid story given in generous but careful clues! The pacing, exquisite. The yellow surprise! But ohhhh, the moral itself (is it that it's spoken??) deflates me like a tire. I leave disappointed that I was just taught a lesson, when I thought I was in story.

[Rossana Karunaratna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro hermoso, donde la ilustración y el texto se mezclan en un escenario maravilloso para el lector. El uso de la luz, de las sombras, el espacio natural transmiten emociones que acompañan la lectura y te llenan el corazón.

[Caos Taciturno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro para leer, para ver, para encuadrar. Estéticamente impresionante, hermoso, lleno de detalles. Muy armonioso y muy bien utilizado el formato apaisado para narrar la historia y las secuencias. La historia simple, pero significativa.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is stunning and really supports the story so well. It adds to the narrative and characters. A girl delivers books to a man who never leaves his home. They become friends and she finds out why he stays inside.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl befriends an isolated and lonely man who has cut himself off from the world over a decision made in his past. This is a beautiful story of friendship, kindness, and learning to forgive ourselves and move forward with greater authenticity, hope, and courage. I loved it!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well done real life story definitely for an older picture book audience through adults in my opinion. Very sparse text and the illustrations convey and really carry the narrative.
Both author and illustrator are residents of Argentina.
First published in 2018 and translated into English in 2025. Illustrations were done in watercolor, pencils, mono print,and digital collages.

[Catarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting this story to be so wholesome with such few words. I really enjoyed this story as a child helped an adult as equally as an adult helped the child in the kindest way possible. It takes a village.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um dos livros mais sensíveis que li no ano! O texto é simples, mas muito é dito nas entrelinhas com ajuda das ilustrações.

[Teresita]

lindo para mostrar a niñes

[Mariana Onofri · Rating 5 out of 5]

hermoso y sensible

[natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

:'c

[Ece · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Courage ist der Mut, so zu leben, wie man möchte, und das zu leben, woran man glaubt.”

[Isobel Coneboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of courage, teaching children to live the way they want to, and the power that books can have in our lives.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐: The concept and illustrations were intriguing. The minimal narration interested me but could've used a little more character and story development on the page.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly wordless; like the illustrations and format.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous. I don't know if the appeal is universal, but I hope you love it and find a way to share it with your school-age children.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous story from Argentina that highlights how the world can open up for us when we live as our true selves. (...and books connect people and open us as well...)

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

(2025 - #67)
Stranger, neighbors, curiosity, books, courage, lgbt. Stylistically illustrated - beautiful, sensitive, representational, realistic, affecting...haunting and hopeful.
Enjoyment: 4

[Gio Pervinca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storia stupenda e illustrazioni magistrali

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl befriends a shy shut-in. He shares his books and love of reading with her and she helps him come out of his shell.

ARC from Edelweiss.