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Selena
This is a moving and impassioned picture book about the iconic Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla, that will embolden young readers to find their passion and make the impossible, possible!
Selena Quintanilla's music career began at the age of nine when she started singing in her family's band. She went from using a hairbrush as a microphone to traveling from town to town to play gigs. But Selena faced a challenge: People said that she would never make it in Tejano music, which was dominated by male performers. Selena was determined to prove them wrong.
Born and raised in Texas, Selena didn't know how to speak Spanish, but with the help of her dad, she learned to sing it. With songs written and composed by her older brother and the fun dance steps Selena created, her band, Selena Y Los Dinos, rose to stardom! A true trailblazer, her success in Tejano music and her crossover into mainstream American music opened the door for other Latinx entertainers, and she became an inspiration for Latina girls everywhere.
Selena Quintanilla's music career began at the age of nine when she started singing in her family's band. She went from using a hairbrush as a microphone to traveling from town to town to play gigs. But Selena faced a challenge: People said that she would never make it in Tejano music, which was dominated by male performers. Selena was determined to prove them wrong.
Born and raised in Texas, Selena didn't know how to speak Spanish, but with the help of her dad, she learned to sing it. With songs written and composed by her older brother and the fun dance steps Selena created, her band, Selena Y Los Dinos, rose to stardom! A true trailblazer, her success in Tejano music and her crossover into mainstream American music opened the door for other Latinx entertainers, and she became an inspiration for Latina girls everywhere.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Silvia López
13 books10 followersI am a Cuba native raised in Miami, where I served as children’s librarian in schools and public libraries for over 35 years.
My children's books include six bilingual eBooks, one of which Zunzuncito: Un Cuento del Pájaro Abeja Cubano, received the International Latino Book Award as Best Children’s Picture eBook of 2017. In 2019, my picture book Just Right Family: An Adoption Story (Albert Whitman Co.) illustrated by Ziyue Chen won the Florida Book Award. The book that followed, Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature, a collaboration with Italian artist Guido Daniele, was released in April, 2019 by Henry Holt/Macmillan and received a Booklist starred review. Selena: Queen of Tejano Music (Little Bee Books) illustrated by Paola Escobar, will be available in February of 2020 in both English and Spanish. Both versions have been listed as Junior Library Guild selections. Pacho Nacho (Capstone) illustrated by Pablo Pino, will also be available in 2/2020. Another bilingual book, My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo, will be out in 2021.
My children's books include six bilingual eBooks, one of which Zunzuncito: Un Cuento del Pájaro Abeja Cubano, received the International Latino Book Award as Best Children’s Picture eBook of 2017. In 2019, my picture book Just Right Family: An Adoption Story (Albert Whitman Co.) illustrated by Ziyue Chen won the Florida Book Award. The book that followed, Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature, a collaboration with Italian artist Guido Daniele, was released in April, 2019 by Henry Holt/Macmillan and received a Booklist starred review. Selena: Queen of Tejano Music (Little Bee Books) illustrated by Paola Escobar, will be available in February of 2020 in both English and Spanish. Both versions have been listed as Junior Library Guild selections. Pacho Nacho (Capstone) illustrated by Pablo Pino, will also be available in 2/2020. Another bilingual book, My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo, will be out in 2021.
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February 22, 2022As a Chicana Millennial from near the border (but not Texas) who would do anything for Salinas, órale rewind, busti-caca-de-la-madre, etc etc, me siento muy sad to inform you that this is not a book, it is a research project. If a middle school student handed this to me, I'd be like "fuck yeah!! A+. The passion is clear and the research evident." But it's not a cohesive book at all. We deserve better.
I have nothing bad to say about the illustrations. They are everything I wanted. But the book overall? It just doesn't know what it is. The text is choppy, starting off like a regular picture book biography only to abandon smooth prose and morph into a facile textbook mixed with a little journalistic style (which doesn't work--readers who sincerely are unfamiliar with Selena will be misled by the fact that it includes lots of "Blah blah blah," Selena said, which makes it seem like she is alive today and telling her story to the author, which...no!!). It jumps around in time, has a bunch of interruptions to tell you things like what "Tejano" means (which is not bad in and of itself, but it's inconsistent and another way this book is trying to be too many things and ends up being nothing), and it's arranged by topic rather than chronology, which is weird because that's not how biographies work? That's how some memoirs work, but this is not a memoir because our girl has been dead for a longass time.
Also!! It doesn't tell you she is deceased!! Except in the fucking timeline in the back matter, after the book proper!! And it gets worse! It actively avoids telling you she is dead by talking about the release of her English album, WHICH WASN'T EVEN A FULL ALBUM BECAUSE SHE WAS MURDERED BEFORE SHE FINISHED RECORDING IT, and how well received it was. NO!!!
The back matter is a bunch of afterthoughts that are worthwhile pieces of information but are not effective or well integrated into this project specifically.
Anyway, this feels like a passion project and novelty item made for Millennials who will just be happy to have something to hug during rewatches of our favorite biopic, but it's not actually an effective picture book biography for children, and that's what it claims to be.
I have nothing bad to say about the illustrations. They are everything I wanted. But the book overall? It just doesn't know what it is. The text is choppy, starting off like a regular picture book biography only to abandon smooth prose and morph into a facile textbook mixed with a little journalistic style (which doesn't work--readers who sincerely are unfamiliar with Selena will be misled by the fact that it includes lots of "Blah blah blah," Selena said, which makes it seem like she is alive today and telling her story to the author, which...no!!). It jumps around in time, has a bunch of interruptions to tell you things like what "Tejano" means (which is not bad in and of itself, but it's inconsistent and another way this book is trying to be too many things and ends up being nothing), and it's arranged by topic rather than chronology, which is weird because that's not how biographies work? That's how some memoirs work, but this is not a memoir because our girl has been dead for a longass time.
Also!! It doesn't tell you she is deceased!! Except in the fucking timeline in the back matter, after the book proper!! And it gets worse! It actively avoids telling you she is dead by talking about the release of her English album, WHICH WASN'T EVEN A FULL ALBUM BECAUSE SHE WAS MURDERED BEFORE SHE FINISHED RECORDING IT, and how well received it was. NO!!!
The back matter is a bunch of afterthoughts that are worthwhile pieces of information but are not effective or well integrated into this project specifically.
Anyway, this feels like a passion project and novelty item made for Millennials who will just be happy to have something to hug during rewatches of our favorite biopic, but it's not actually an effective picture book biography for children, and that's what it claims to be.
May 26, 2025
"A reminder "to all Tejanos, all Mexican Americans...all Latinos, that theirs is a beautiful culture with a beautiful language."
This a picture book, meant for children, and I am sobbing. Selena meant a lot to me growing up, an icon for a little Mexican American girl trying to find her way in a country that did not accept her native language (Spanish) or culture.
"You live in the U.S., speak English," was something that I would hear so often. So much so, I grew up with a complex over these things that tainted all the beauty that came with my culture. I would avoid speaking Spanish, unless I had to with my parents, and would yearn for blue eyes and pale skin like those in my classes because no one would ever want someone like me.
Selena, although not knowing her personally, represented something much bigger to me. She made it possible to imagine myself as the heroine of the story, the one who could do anything and conquer the world.
She will always hold a special place in my heart, not only for encouraging me to take chances, but to love my cultura and where I come from.
So yes, I am sobbing remembering her story and how unfortunate it was that she died so young, but I am also crying because, even though she is no longer here, her message will keep reaching other girls like it did to me. Encouraging them to embrace who they are, and value their heritage, because they can be and do anything they want.
This a picture book, meant for children, and I am sobbing. Selena meant a lot to me growing up, an icon for a little Mexican American girl trying to find her way in a country that did not accept her native language (Spanish) or culture.
"You live in the U.S., speak English," was something that I would hear so often. So much so, I grew up with a complex over these things that tainted all the beauty that came with my culture. I would avoid speaking Spanish, unless I had to with my parents, and would yearn for blue eyes and pale skin like those in my classes because no one would ever want someone like me.
Selena, although not knowing her personally, represented something much bigger to me. She made it possible to imagine myself as the heroine of the story, the one who could do anything and conquer the world.
She will always hold a special place in my heart, not only for encouraging me to take chances, but to love my cultura and where I come from.
So yes, I am sobbing remembering her story and how unfortunate it was that she died so young, but I am also crying because, even though she is no longer here, her message will keep reaching other girls like it did to me. Encouraging them to embrace who they are, and value their heritage, because they can be and do anything they want.
January 16, 2021
This book is very much a mixed bag for me. The illustrations are beyond stunning - so beautiful! The text was less successful for me. It is a difficult task to distill Selena's whole life story into a picture book format, I absolutely appreciate that. With that said, I think the text was too dense and the end of her life was completely glossed over. Her death wasn't even on her life time line, only in a note at the very end. If a modern child were reading this with no real prior knowledge of Selena, they would be confused. While I do agree that the fine details belong in a note instead of the main text, I do feel strongly that her death should have been reflected somehow in the actual story.
December 18, 2020
Queen of Tejano Music: Selena is a children's picture book written by Silvia López and illustrated by Paola Escobar. It centers on the musical origin and cultural impact of Mexican American performer Selena Quintanilla.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress, and fashion designer. She was referred to as the Queen of Tejano music and her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century.
López's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. López contextualizes Selena's life and career, supplementing the narrative with quotations that allow readers a glimpse of her personality. Backmatter includes an illustrated timeline and further information on the subject's life and death. Escobar's elaborate illustrations prove an enriching complement, portraying key scenes, significant players, and iconic outfits.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It delves into the early life and career of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known professionally as Selena. The lengthy narrative is nicely divided between a fawning tribute and a straightforward recounting of accomplishments by working hard to paint the picture of the artist's childhood and what led to her musical achievements. Not surprisingly, there's not much dwelling on the circumstances of the singer's murder other than an explainer page and a mention in a timeline in the backmatter, which also offers other cultural context.
All in all, Queen of Tejano Music: Selena is a worthy picture-book to the Queen of Tejano music – Selena.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress, and fashion designer. She was referred to as the Queen of Tejano music and her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century.
López's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. López contextualizes Selena's life and career, supplementing the narrative with quotations that allow readers a glimpse of her personality. Backmatter includes an illustrated timeline and further information on the subject's life and death. Escobar's elaborate illustrations prove an enriching complement, portraying key scenes, significant players, and iconic outfits.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It delves into the early life and career of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known professionally as Selena. The lengthy narrative is nicely divided between a fawning tribute and a straightforward recounting of accomplishments by working hard to paint the picture of the artist's childhood and what led to her musical achievements. Not surprisingly, there's not much dwelling on the circumstances of the singer's murder other than an explainer page and a mention in a timeline in the backmatter, which also offers other cultural context.
All in all, Queen of Tejano Music: Selena is a worthy picture-book to the Queen of Tejano music – Selena.
December 28, 2020
Is this a children’s book? Yes. Is it also for adults? YES.
The text and information throughout the book do not read as a children’s book. The text and information read more like a very short, but well summed up, biography of Selena. I knew I was going to love the book, but I went in expecting writing aimed at young children more than me and was so estate as I kept reading that I was reading a mini bio of Selena that was purely palatable for adults.
While that may sound off putting for a children’s book, this is where the illustrations come in and truly take over. The illustrations are gorgeous. Selena, she looks like herself and it is so refreshing and beautiful to see her portrayed through a new illustrated lens. The pictures still showcase her magic and her beauty, it’s pure art. children will be mesmerized by these colorful and exuberant illustration of Selenas’s life. I may have to buy a second copy just to frame a couple of these pages.
Overall, I cried multiple times reading this. If you’re a Selena fan, you will be so, so happy reading this book.
The text and information throughout the book do not read as a children’s book. The text and information read more like a very short, but well summed up, biography of Selena. I knew I was going to love the book, but I went in expecting writing aimed at young children more than me and was so estate as I kept reading that I was reading a mini bio of Selena that was purely palatable for adults.
While that may sound off putting for a children’s book, this is where the illustrations come in and truly take over. The illustrations are gorgeous. Selena, she looks like herself and it is so refreshing and beautiful to see her portrayed through a new illustrated lens. The pictures still showcase her magic and her beauty, it’s pure art. children will be mesmerized by these colorful and exuberant illustration of Selenas’s life. I may have to buy a second copy just to frame a couple of these pages.
Overall, I cried multiple times reading this. If you’re a Selena fan, you will be so, so happy reading this book.
October 8, 2020
I am from southwest Texas and if you don't know Selena, something is very wrong with you.
Selena died when I was four years old. My uncle had a poster of her in the trailer where he lived with my grandmother. I was always so drawn to her. Especially because she understood Spanish somewhat but couldn't speak it, like me! I stared at her picture and thought, "I want to be beautiful, caring and loved like her one day." Even from a photo, she had kind eyes and a genuine smile.
Author, Silvia López is a fellow librarian and Latina! I was so excited when I spotted this book and it didn't disappoint. The artwork is just right for Selena's story and the font was pleasing too.
You made an impact on this little brown girl, Selena. Thank you ♥
Up next: To Selena, With Love
Selena died when I was four years old. My uncle had a poster of her in the trailer where he lived with my grandmother. I was always so drawn to her. Especially because she understood Spanish somewhat but couldn't speak it, like me! I stared at her picture and thought, "I want to be beautiful, caring and loved like her one day." Even from a photo, she had kind eyes and a genuine smile.
Author, Silvia López is a fellow librarian and Latina! I was so excited when I spotted this book and it didn't disappoint. The artwork is just right for Selena's story and the font was pleasing too.
You made an impact on this little brown girl, Selena. Thank you ♥
Up next: To Selena, With Love
August 10, 2021
Iako je namenjena deci, knjiga može da posluži i za starije (koji nisu) da se kroz kratku biografiju i predivne ilustracije upoznaju sa životom i karijerom najveće latino zvezde Selene (Kintanilje).
P.S. Nadam se da će se pojaviti knjiga "Seleni s ljubavlju" na srpskom ili bar verzija na engleskom u našim knjižarama. Mada verovatnoća za to je 1/1000. Voleo bih da imam obe knjige i u fizičkom obliku, ne samo u PDF-u. 🤞🏻
P.S. Nadam se da će se pojaviti knjiga "Seleni s ljubavlju" na srpskom ili bar verzija na engleskom u našim knjižarama. Mada verovatnoća za to je 1/1000. Voleo bih da imam obe knjige i u fizičkom obliku, ne samo u PDF-u. 🤞🏻
January 31, 2021
This takes me back to my early teenage years. I remember singing & dancing along with Selena in the mid 80’s.
A fun & wonderfully illustrated book about the young performer who captivated everyone’s heart! 💃🏽❤️
A fun & wonderfully illustrated book about the young performer who captivated everyone’s heart! 💃🏽❤️
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October 23, 2020The illustrations are really stunning, but holy hell is there ever a lot of text. Each page has a bit about her life and upbringing, but the text is quite dense and very small. I like that there is a timeline of her life at the end, but I didn't like that the author used the euphemistic "lost her life" instead of "died." I understand a reticence to maybe avoid words like "killed" or "murder," but talking about death in abstract or euphemistic terms is confusing and only does children a disservice.
October 18, 2020
As a child, I idolized Selena Quintanilla. I loved her and her music. And so I came to Silvia López’s picture book biography of Selena Quintanilla, stunningly illustrated by Paola Escobar, with eagerness. It did not disappoint! As a biography, it provides a thorough narrative of who Selena was and the impact she had. Each spread has gorgeous illustrations that depict the scenes of Selena’s childhood and rise to fame—and of her family. This truly is a work of art.
November 2, 2021
Beautiful illustrations by Paola Escobar - illustrations that reveal so much about the time period and the story. While the prose is straightforward (and sometimes dense), Silvia López integrates a lot of quotes from Selena. Recommended for ages 6-9 but I think it would be better for ages 9+ to read independently as part of research or just interest in Selena and this period of time in music.
PAIR THIS TEXT WITH Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana López and Martínez; I'd recommend students read Sing with Me first as an easier introduction to Selena and then tackle Queen. Neither book addresses in detail Selena's death so...as needed, students will have to locate additional sources.
PAIR THIS TEXT WITH Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana López and Martínez; I'd recommend students read Sing with Me first as an easier introduction to Selena and then tackle Queen. Neither book addresses in detail Selena's death so...as needed, students will have to locate additional sources.
January 4, 2021
Beautiful illustrations!
February 14, 2021
A beautifully written and illustrated picture book biography that celebrates the life of musician Selena.
Lots of back matter and a timeline for readers to explore, too.
Lots of back matter and a timeline for readers to explore, too.
September 17, 2021
Excellent children's biography of one of my favorite people. This one is lengthy for a picture book, so best for older kids. Violet and Forrest will have to enjoy this one in a few years, but mama enjoyed it in the meantime.
October 5, 2022
Gorgeously illustrated, thoughtfully written, and full of information. I learned so much about Selena and her music.
CW: Poverty, references to: grief, murder, racism
CW: Poverty, references to: grief, murder, racism
December 11, 2020
Sweet story about Selena’s life. The illustrations in this book are beautiful, so bright and colorful.
August 30, 2020
Beautiful!
August 22, 2020
Beautiful and full of great and inspiring biographical information. A gem ❤️
December 29, 2020
There is precious little written about this young woman who had such a great influence on Tejano music; this one is special.
Selena Quintanilla was a charismatic young girl with a pitch-perfect singing talent. When the family fell on hard times, they formed their own band to go on the road and play, with Selena as their lead singer and costume designer. This picture book biography presents highlights from her short life.
López does a fine job of selecting and tying together episodes from Quintanilla's life that would be most relevant for young readers. The book opens when she is six years old, takes up a hairbrush as a mic and begins singing with the band (her father, brother, and sister). It then flashes back to talk about her birth and growing up, their father opening a restaurant and the band performing there, her limited social life as a teenager, going on the road and obstacles they faced as a band, learning to perform their songs in Spanish (the kids understood it, but their primary language was English),
and how she used their success to help others. Readers will feel that they have peeked into her life as López includes conversations within the text. Backmatter includes a timeline of her life; short explanations of what Tejanos are and how they are different from Hispanics/Latinos, what Tejano/Tex-Mex music is; what a Quinceañera is; what it was like to live in Lake Jackson and Corpus Christi; what Selena did behind the scenes for the band; her tragic death; and memorials to remember her.
Digital illustrations by Paola Escobar are stunning. The stylized illustrations are bright and filled with detail and joy. Though the visual setting and backgrounds feel a bit older (early 1960's) than the time period Selena lived (1970's-mid 1990's), Escobar has captured the joy that Quintanilla exuded. Looking at the illustrations, one wants to hear the amazing voice of this young woman.
Use this in units on music, women's studies, Latinx studies, and as an example of how hard work can bring success.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.
Selena Quintanilla was a charismatic young girl with a pitch-perfect singing talent. When the family fell on hard times, they formed their own band to go on the road and play, with Selena as their lead singer and costume designer. This picture book biography presents highlights from her short life.
López does a fine job of selecting and tying together episodes from Quintanilla's life that would be most relevant for young readers. The book opens when she is six years old, takes up a hairbrush as a mic and begins singing with the band (her father, brother, and sister). It then flashes back to talk about her birth and growing up, their father opening a restaurant and the band performing there, her limited social life as a teenager, going on the road and obstacles they faced as a band, learning to perform their songs in Spanish (the kids understood it, but their primary language was English),
and how she used their success to help others. Readers will feel that they have peeked into her life as López includes conversations within the text. Backmatter includes a timeline of her life; short explanations of what Tejanos are and how they are different from Hispanics/Latinos, what Tejano/Tex-Mex music is; what a Quinceañera is; what it was like to live in Lake Jackson and Corpus Christi; what Selena did behind the scenes for the band; her tragic death; and memorials to remember her.
Digital illustrations by Paola Escobar are stunning. The stylized illustrations are bright and filled with detail and joy. Though the visual setting and backgrounds feel a bit older (early 1960's) than the time period Selena lived (1970's-mid 1990's), Escobar has captured the joy that Quintanilla exuded. Looking at the illustrations, one wants to hear the amazing voice of this young woman.
Use this in units on music, women's studies, Latinx studies, and as an example of how hard work can bring success.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.
May 26, 2021
I had a hard time with this book because I don't think the text and images pair well. The illustrations are absolutetly stunning, but swallowed by the walls of text on each page. I understand there's a lot to cover on Selena and her life! But I still think it could have been done differently. Additionally, as many have noted, that her death is not mentioned until a brief section in the backmatter, which is, IMO, a problem. Yes, it's a book for children, but her death is sadly a huge part of her story. It doesn't need to take center stage, but most timelines state notable figures' death dates if they are no longer alive.
The text also alludes to the struggles Selena faced due to machismo and the strictness of her father, but this doesn't seem to be called what it is: a source of conflict. This is another reason why Selena is so iconic for Latinas! I understand it's tricky to criticize her father since he seemingly controls her entire image and memory, but this is certainly something worth digging deeper into. How a strong, successful young woman is robbed of her future and somehow a man kinda ends up owning her memory and the rights to her image. Finally, Selena was morena with beautiful brown skin and the illustrations portray her lighter, more like Jennifer Lopez's portrayal of her in the 1997 movie. As Selena's image continues in media, it's certainly worth noting some lightening. Idk. I expected something different. I am sure it's a book loved by many, but it wasn't my favorite.
The text also alludes to the struggles Selena faced due to machismo and the strictness of her father, but this doesn't seem to be called what it is: a source of conflict. This is another reason why Selena is so iconic for Latinas! I understand it's tricky to criticize her father since he seemingly controls her entire image and memory, but this is certainly something worth digging deeper into. How a strong, successful young woman is robbed of her future and somehow a man kinda ends up owning her memory and the rights to her image. Finally, Selena was morena with beautiful brown skin and the illustrations portray her lighter, more like Jennifer Lopez's portrayal of her in the 1997 movie. As Selena's image continues in media, it's certainly worth noting some lightening. Idk. I expected something different. I am sure it's a book loved by many, but it wasn't my favorite.
February 17, 2020
Downright gorgeously illustrated book that hits on the highlights of the singer's life. Each page is a short chapter into a piece of her life. The afterwards dealing with everything from definitions and explanations of terms, people and places along with a time-line tie everything together. The only mention of her death is in the timeline and a small afterwards talking about the events yet handled very tastefully. Due to the picture book format the older child, which it is aimed at, might be turned off but it is a great book for probably up to 10-years-old (though a young 10). Might be a hard read-aloud for the younger crowd, but the set up allows for a page a night reading. Little traditional action. Selena was not just a role model for Latina women, Latino people, but a role model for anyone due to her spirit and determination. You can tell Lopez is a fan of her subject.
January 12, 2020
Not only is this picture- biography beautifully written and illustrated, it tells the story with facts and handles the tragedy of her life in a delicate manner. I appreciated that. Selena was a trailblazer who continues to be an inspiration for Latina girls. I look forward to sharing this book with students.
May 1, 2020
Note: I received an ARC of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.
November 3, 2020
This snuck up on me by surprise. Despite living in Texas, I was completely unaware of Selena Quintanilla, but then I was oblivious to a lot of stuff, especially musical stuff. She was a musician who died young but managed to make a big impact, first pushing through gender barriers to become a star of Tejano music, and then pushing through ethnic/racist barriers to become a star in general music. Lopez traces her from her first days singing with her family's band to the days in her early teens when they went professional and thereby missed most of a regular teen life (she didn't even get a quinceanera!) and did high school and college remotely.
My favorite factoid was that she didn't speak Spanish much with her family -- like many Latinx families they wanted the kids to speak English. But then the family band sang mostly in Spanish and she had to work really hard to learn the songs phonetically, and when she toured Mexico she was worried that she'd trip up during the spoken interviews. But her honesty and the obvious work she had done learning the language endeared her to the audience.
The format is vibrantly colored illustrations with a painterly and Tex-Mex feel with fairly verbose explanations. It ends with a timeline and then extra bits to define terms like Tejanos, quinceaneras, and also to discuss her early death and legacy.
The illustrations and text made a strong impression of me, giving me an insight into a world going on near but invisible to me as I grew up, and the impact one woman with a dream made through her voice. Selena is still an inspiration to young (and particularly female, particularly Latinx) people and I'm glad this book taught me about her. I think kids would find the illustrations appealing enough to listen or read through the text, and it feel like an authentic story and one that encourages outsiders to appreciate the lives of the characters.
My favorite factoid was that she didn't speak Spanish much with her family -- like many Latinx families they wanted the kids to speak English. But then the family band sang mostly in Spanish and she had to work really hard to learn the songs phonetically, and when she toured Mexico she was worried that she'd trip up during the spoken interviews. But her honesty and the obvious work she had done learning the language endeared her to the audience.
The format is vibrantly colored illustrations with a painterly and Tex-Mex feel with fairly verbose explanations. It ends with a timeline and then extra bits to define terms like Tejanos, quinceaneras, and also to discuss her early death and legacy.
The illustrations and text made a strong impression of me, giving me an insight into a world going on near but invisible to me as I grew up, and the impact one woman with a dream made through her voice. Selena is still an inspiration to young (and particularly female, particularly Latinx) people and I'm glad this book taught me about her. I think kids would find the illustrations appealing enough to listen or read through the text, and it feel like an authentic story and one that encourages outsiders to appreciate the lives of the characters.
April 5, 2022
This book is about a beautiful woman named “Selena” and her family getting into the music business. In 1980, their family group was formed. They used to perform at parties and county fairs. The same year Abraham quit his job to open a Mexican restaurant “papagayos”. But it didn’t last very long though. The restaurant has closed. Abraham is very strict. Since Selena was very busy, she had little time for socializing. As a kid, Selena and her family were told that they wouldn’t make it in a male dominated scene. By 1985 came around, the band got new gigs. So when Selena was in 8th grade, left public school and enrolled in long-distance school. In her spare time, Selena would decorate her costume with pearls, rhinestones, and lace. Some of those outfits Selena would create, would show off her figure. Abraham wasn’t too happy at first. He didn’t approve of drinking, drugs, or bad language. He didn’t want Selena giving the bad impression. Selena never got to hang out with anyone her own age. Before Selena, tejano music wasn’t very popular. Selena gave back to her community. She mostly wanted to help the young children. Selena loved designing her own clothes. In 1994, Selena opened her first Selena Ect. Store in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena later on opened another Selena Ect. Store in San Antonio, Texas. Her song “bidi bidi Bom Bom” became widely popular, to the point where it was played on the radio. Even her live album was named “best Mexican American album” at the 1994 Grammy awards. In early 1995, Selena had already recreated a few songs for her “dreaming of u” album. When it was released, it had sold 175,000 copies in a single day and eventually millions of copies were sold around the world. Her brilliant success opened doors for other latino entertainers. 2 weeks before her 24th birthday, Selena had lost her life during an argument with Yolanda. The movie “Selena” was released in 1997.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
I remember when Selena was beginning to break and she was in the news. Her name was everywhere, it had to be to make it to Arkansas. I also remember the mourning when she died. I thought she was a Spanish artist crossing over to English, but no. She spoke English and she had to learn Spanish to sing her Tejano music. Spanish was never her mother tongue. Now I know.
She was something special and it was a shame the way it ended. She had just made it. This was a good biography. It's written for older kids. It's not a book for younger kids. It's very wordy and the text is small and dense. It's not easy to read.
The artwork could be digital. it didn't say. I liked the look of the people, but there were no backgrounds. I wasn't the biggest fan of the artwork. It's fine. It tells the story.
The story focuses on the most positive parts of Selena. It doesn't go into her death at all and that she was murdered. In the back matter with the dense text for adults, it does discuss how she died, but the main story does not.
I think fans of music and singers will love this book. She really was one amazing person. I would have loved to see what she could have done had she lived. I think she would have been huge.
She was something special and it was a shame the way it ended. She had just made it. This was a good biography. It's written for older kids. It's not a book for younger kids. It's very wordy and the text is small and dense. It's not easy to read.
The artwork could be digital. it didn't say. I liked the look of the people, but there were no backgrounds. I wasn't the biggest fan of the artwork. It's fine. It tells the story.
The story focuses on the most positive parts of Selena. It doesn't go into her death at all and that she was murdered. In the back matter with the dense text for adults, it does discuss how she died, but the main story does not.
I think fans of music and singers will love this book. She really was one amazing person. I would have loved to see what she could have done had she lived. I think she would have been huge.
January 2, 2021
A lovely and deserving picture book biography of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. The pictures are wonderful, and the kid-friendly text makes her sound like a wonderful person as well as a powerful singer (she kind of reminds me of Dolly Parton in her humble roots and big heart). I did have some quibbles with it though: the first page puts words in her mouth while setting the scene. Her actual words at the time couldn't have been preserved, so that irritates me. The artwork is colorful and vibrant, but I would have appreciated a photo of her (there are plenty available!), even if somewhere in the back matter. The backmatter is good, with a timeline, and fuller explanations of Tejano culture, history, Selena's death and even quinceañeras. But it doesn't have a bibliography of the sources the author used and quotes from liberally (including from Selena herself)
October 21, 2020
This is such a beautiful testament to Selena's life. I grew up listening to her music but knowing nothing about her. "Queen of Tejano Music" captures every inspirational inch of Selena's life, following her from childhood all the way through to the end. I learned so much about her and it makes me so unbelievably proud to be latina.
My favorite thing about this book is the bright and beautiful illustration. Selena just looks so much like... Selena. I was captivated by every picture, especially her characteristically vibrant outfits. The illustrations are also great at making Selena look her age throughout the story, which is pretty rare in Selena's narrative but very inspiring for young girls. All in all, this is the perfect book to introduce people to Selena Quintanilla's life story.
My favorite thing about this book is the bright and beautiful illustration. Selena just looks so much like... Selena. I was captivated by every picture, especially her characteristically vibrant outfits. The illustrations are also great at making Selena look her age throughout the story, which is pretty rare in Selena's narrative but very inspiring for young girls. All in all, this is the perfect book to introduce people to Selena Quintanilla's life story.
May 14, 2021
Just about anything about Selena will bring a tear into my eye because a) I just love this celebrity so much and b) you can always feel how much fans love and miss her through the work they create about her - whether it's a fan's passion project, art, Youtube video reacting to her music, or a picture book.
This book was a lovely, simple biography about Selena with well-written snippets spanning from her childhood and throughout her career and beautiful art to tie it all together. Besides giving a linear history on Selena's life and accomplishments, the author also comments on the impact Selena had on Tex-Mex culture and music, and the inspiration she affected in her fans.
Such a beautiful book. It's one I need for my personal collection. =]
This book was a lovely, simple biography about Selena with well-written snippets spanning from her childhood and throughout her career and beautiful art to tie it all together. Besides giving a linear history on Selena's life and accomplishments, the author also comments on the impact Selena had on Tex-Mex culture and music, and the inspiration she affected in her fans.
Such a beautiful book. It's one I need for my personal collection. =]
June 10, 2022
This review is being used for class ELED 460.
Selena, Reina De La Música Tejana is a 2020 book written by Silvia Lopez and illustrated by Paola Escobar. The book was published by Little Bee Books, and has 47 pages. The book falls within the non-fiction picture book genre.
This book is about Selena Quintanilla, and as the title suggests: the queen of Tejano music. Ι love Selena, so I was really excited to see this book existed! The book features the story of her life and her impact in music (Specifically Tejano) and has a really sweet little timeline at the very back of the book. This book is awesome because it gives a look into a very powerful female artist, especially in the Latine community. Super informative book, gorgeous illustrations, 20/10 score all around!
Selena, Reina De La Música Tejana is a 2020 book written by Silvia Lopez and illustrated by Paola Escobar. The book was published by Little Bee Books, and has 47 pages. The book falls within the non-fiction picture book genre.
This book is about Selena Quintanilla, and as the title suggests: the queen of Tejano music. Ι love Selena, so I was really excited to see this book existed! The book features the story of her life and her impact in music (Specifically Tejano) and has a really sweet little timeline at the very back of the book. This book is awesome because it gives a look into a very powerful female artist, especially in the Latine community. Super informative book, gorgeous illustrations, 20/10 score all around!
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