Told through a lively text and colorful handmade arpilleras from Peru, this musical story about a little boy's preparations for Carnaval is rich with the culture of the Andean mountains. Oxfam America will receive a percentage of the profits from the sale of this book. Full color.
Illustrations are "arpilleras" sewn by the Club de Madres Virgen del Carmen of Lima, Peru.
Summary: The book follows a family in the mountains of Peru as the prepare for Carnaval. The illustrations are themselves a traditional art form called arpilleras.
Response: The story is sweet and would be a good introduction to young children about this festive holiday. By the true magic of this book is in the illustrations - the traditional art form of wall hangings called arpilleras. They are intricately constructed and a wonderful combination of folk art and detail. It is unlike anything I have seen before (although they did call to mind the patchwork quilts of America, how they can tell stories and how they make use of scraps), and the explanation at the end of the book, as well as the photos of the collective who makes them is very important to read as well.
I really do not have much to say about this book. I liked that it did well to introduce some South American culture, but the illustrations were not really my favorite. They are creative, but I don't think if I was a kid I would be thrilled about them.
Couldn't get engaged in the long text, but in a classroom setting this would be valuable for 'diversity' or 'global studies.' The art is definitely interesting. ----- Tried again. Enjoyed it a lot this time. Good back matter. I'd love to commission an arpillera.