Antonio’s Card / La tarjeta de Antonio

By Rigoberto González, Cecilia Álvarez
Paperback: $11.95

Bilingual English/Spanish. A tender story about a boy struggling to express his love for his mother and her partner in a nontraditional family.

Description

Antonio loves words, because words have the power to express feelings like love, pride, or hurt. Mother’s Day is coming soon, and Antonio searches for the words to express his love for his mother and her partner, Leslie. But he’s not sure what to do when his classmates make fun of Leslie, an artist, who towers over everyone and wears paint-splattered overalls. As Mother’s Day approaches, Antonio must choose whether – or how – to express his connection to both of the special women in his life.

Rigoberto González’s bilingual story about a nontraditional family resonates with all children who have been faced with speaking up for themselves or for the people they love. Cecilia Concepción Álvarez’s paintings bring the tale to life in tender, richly hued detail.

About the Creators

Rigoberto González

Rigoberto González was born in Bakersfield, California, and raised in Michoacán, Mexico. The son and grandson of migrant farmworkers, he is an award-winning poet and writer. Since completing his third university degree, he has worked mostly in New York and primarily with children and young adults as a dance instructor, daycare provider, literacy specialist, and creative writing teacher.

Cecilia Álvarez

Cecilia Álvarez is a gifted fine artist. The daughter of a Mexican mother and a Cuban father, her artwork has been exhibited internationally and featured in a range of publications. Over the past decade, she has focused her creative energies on works of public art. Cecilia has two children and lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband.

Awards

  • Rainbow Book List

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Lambda Literary Award

    Lambda Literary

Reviews

  • "Possibly a first of its kind and a worthy leader."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Sensitively written in English, with an excellent translation by Jorge Argueta, the narrative captures the social worries and concerns that children in nontraditional families may experience. The acrylic illustrations are bright and colorful. . . . This story deals brilliantly with issues of inclusion."

    - School Library Journal
  • "In its bilingual format, this book crosses cultural, language, and generational lines. Families come in many forms, the book demonstrates, and openness to the range of human interaction is vital. Long gone are the days when the only kind of family was the kind with a mom, a dad, and a kid or two or three. Today's families are more diverse and complicated in their make-up, and González depicts this reality with subtlety and insightfulness."

    - Foreword Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892393879
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 11.5 × 8.25 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1196
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892392049
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1196
  • Interests

  • Imprint Children's Book Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Holidays & Celebrations / Mother's Day
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / LGBT
  • Themes Art, Bilingual, Breaking Gender Barriers, Bullying, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Classroom Activities, Conflict resolution, Courage, Cultural Diversity, Discrimination, Education, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Fiction, Holidays / Traditions, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Mentors, Mothers, Overcoming Obstacles, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Respect / Citizenship, Self Control / Self Regulation, Sharing & Giving, Similarities and Differences, Tolerance / Acceptance
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 7 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 5
  • Guided Reading Q
  • Spanish Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 3.2
  • DRA 30
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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