Colato Laínez, René.
Pub. Houston, Tex. : Piñata Books/Arte Público Press, c2009.
• ISBN-10: 1558855300 • ISBN-13: 978-1558855304
Young René is from El Salvador, and he doesn't understand why his name has to be different in the United States. When he writes Colato, he sees his paternal grandparents, René and Amelia. When he writes Laínez, he sees his maternal grandparents, Angela and Julio. Without his second last name, René feels incomplete, "like a hamburger without the meat or a pizza without cheese or a hot dog without a wiener."
His new classmates giggle when René tells them his name. "That's a long dinosaur name," one says. "Your name is longer than an anaconda," another laughs. But René doesn't want to lose the part of him that comes from his mother's family. So when the students are given a project to create a family tree, René is determined to explain the importance of using both of his last names. On the day of his presentation, René explains that he is as hard working as Abuelo René, who is a farmer, and as creative as his Abuela Amelia, who is a potter. He can tell stories like his Abuelo Julio and enjoys music like his Abuela Angela.
This charming bilingual picture book for children ages 4 - 8 combines the winning team of author René Colato Laínez and illustrator Fabiola Graullera Ramírez, and follows their award-winning collaboration, I Am René, the Boy / Soy René, el niño. With whimsical illustrations and entertaining text, this sequel is sure to please fans and gain many new ones while explaining an important Hispanic cultural tradition.
Interview with author Rene Colato Lainez right here on Thursday, January 21st. Stop by leave a comment or question for the author.
Wishing you dreams to fulfill and the inspiration needed to do so!
~the sol within~
Anna
It was a great interview Anna. I liked that he uses his two names. We all should. Have a great Friday. Thanks for letting me know about the interview.
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