From North to South in Parents Magazine

I am so happy to see my book From North to South/ Del Norte al Sur included in Parents Magazine’s list of "5 Books to Help You Raise a Globally Minded Child". 
This is a picture of the magazine, to read it on line visit http://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/books/books-to-help-you-raise-a-globally-minded-child/
#kidlit #wndb

From North to South/ Del Norte al Sur

My bilingual book From North to South/ Del norte al sur, illustrated by Joe Cepeda, is back in print & now available in paperback edition. The book is available at http://www.leeandlow.com/ 

Thanks to all readers who had emailed me asking for the book.  It is great to know that it has touched many lives. 

Here are some emails.

"Like you, I am an elementary school teacher. Most of the students in my class are Latino and, of course, immigration and deportations are huge issues. I've been trying to purchase your book From North to South but have been unable to do so. It seems like it's not selling anywhere! Do you know how I can get 6 copies of that book?"

"From North to South is truly a deeply moving book and so important in our community. One of my grad students  used it with families and their response was very heartfelt as one of the grandmothers was living the situation with her son who was deported. The grandmother is caring for her grandchild left behind."

"Thank you so much for writing From North to South.  It's so important for children to understand why they are separated from their parents.  The numbers are only increasing, unfortunately.

http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/12/us_deports_more_than_200k_parents.html

My fiance was recently removed to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  I bought your book and took it to him last time I was there.  He wrote inside the book, and I mailed it to his children for their Christmas present.  Recently, I was at an immigration conference (I work in the advocacy field) and spoke to an attorney who is working with several mothers who have been removed.  I recommended the book and she bought a few and mailed them to Guatemala for the parents to write in for their children. Anyhow I thought you'd enjoy knowing that the book is making an impact in the lives of children."

BOOK TRAILER

BOOK REVIEW

Review by Ariadna Sánchez

From North to South is written by René Colato Laínez and tenderly illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Colato Laínez’s story portrays the struggle of hundreds of immigrant families who suffer because of their legal status in the United States. From North to South shows the challenges and effects of family separation while dreams and hopes are abruptly stopped by the border fence.

José and his parents live in San Diego, California. One day, José’s mom is arrested and deported to Tijuana, Mexico during a raid in the factory where she works. After weeks of being away from  his mother, José and his father finally had the opportunity to go to Tijuana, Mexico to  visit her mother at a shelter called Centro Madre Assunta.*

As soon as José sees his mother, he desperately runs into her mother’s arms.  This event brings relief to the whole family and their broken hearts. José and his parents spend a very special weekend at Centro Madre Assunta. As a one big family, José and his mother spend some time with other children and women that are waiting to reunite with their loved ones on the other side of the border. They play games, plant seeds, eat, and rejoice for being part of this big family at Centro Madre Assunta. José’s dad is a legal permanent resident, so this means that José’s mom will soon be getting her legal status.

When it was time to say farewell to his mother, the sun also began to hide behind the mountain. As his mother read a story, José fell asleep on his mother lap. This very painful separation marks José’s family forever. Like a giant magnet, “the north” pulls José and his father back to San Diego while “the south” holds his mother back in Tijuana. Time and hope are her best allies to calm her broken heart.

Remember reading gives you wings!!!

*Centro Madre Assunta is a shelter located in Tijuana, Mexico. Centro Madre Assunta provides a refuge for women and children who have been deported or are trying to cross the border to meet again with their relatives in the United States. For more information about the shelter visit the following links:

• http://www.piescansados.blogspot.com
• http://www.wix.com/assunta_tj/assunta

The Gift of Reading: 20 Beautiful Books

We know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover…but every once in awhile, you find a book so beautifully written and illustrated that it takes your breath away. If you're looking for something extra special for a young reader — or not-so-young reader — in your life, take a look at these enchanting titles. You won't be disappointed!
 

Discover the complete  list of the 20 Beautiful Books at http://www.colorincolorado

Univision- El club de los libritos- Del Norte al Sur/ From North to South

Happy Day: From North to South/ Del Norte al Sur

From Illustrations to Final Book

Writing a picture book is fascinating. The author is just one parent. When you write the manuscript, you make images in your head of your protagonist, his/her family and his/her environment. After signing the contract, you need to wait to know who the other parent of your book will be, the illustrator. Soon, you discovered his/her name and then you may have a clear idea of how your book will look like.   

These are the final illustrations of From North to South, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Images provided by Children's Book Press.

Then the book is born. It is time to the delivery. But instead of going to the hospital and waiting for the doctor, you stay at your front door and wait for the postman or postwoman.

You hear the knock knock or ding dong or a "Good afternoon." And surprise!

You look at the box and wonder, "Can this be the BOX. The one I am waiting for?" So you look at the label.

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. Yes, this is the box. But you need to open it, just to be real sure.

Then you know. It is not a dream. It is true. Finally the picture of the proud parent.

"From North to South shines a light on the painful experience of family separation from both sides of the border—the questions, the anxiety of waiting, and the hope of a child and his parents. ¡Si se puede!" —Dolores Huerta, activist, organizer and co-founder of The United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO

Kirkus reviews FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH/DEL NORTE AL SUR

Author: Colato Laínez, René

Illustrator: Cepeda, Joe

Review Date: August 1, 2010

Publisher: Children's Book Press

Pages: 32

Price (Hardback): $17.95

Publication Date: September 1, 2010

ISBN (Hardback): 978-0-89239-231-5

Category: Picture Books

After his mother is deported by U.S. immigration officials, José and his father go to visit her at Centro Madres Assunta in Tijuana, where she will stay with other women and children until she gets her papers and can return. Frankly a plea for sympathy for families torn apart by immigration rules, this tender story is gently told in Spanish and English texts, together or on opposing pages. Young José recalls his day: the border traffic jam, the joy of seeing his mother, gardening and a seed game with other children in the shelter missing their parents and a final bedtime story told in the car’s backseat. The author, a Salvadoran immigrant, teaches in a bilingual school where his students often experience family separations. Cepeda’s oil paintings, full-bleed single- and double-page spreads, use bright colors and a variety of perspectives to reinforce the joyfulness of the day. A road map of the area between San Diego and Tijuana serves as endpapers. The child’s perspective makes this a particularly moving glimpse of an increasingly common experience. (Picture book. 5-9)