An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl who is a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose what she celebrates in life. Celina and her family are bilingual and follow both Mexican and American traditions. Celina revels in her Mexican heritage, but once she starts school it feels like the world wants her to erase that part of her identity. Fortunately, she’s got an army of family and three fabulous new friends behind her to fight the ignorance. But it’s her Gramma who’s her biggest inspiration, encouraging Celina to build a shield of joy around herself. Because when you’re celebrating, when you find a reason to sing or dance or paint or play or laugh or write, they haven’t taken everything away from you. Of course, it’s not possible to stay in celebration mode when things get dire--like when her dad’s deported and a pandemic hits--but if there is anything Celina’s sure of, it’s that she’ll always live up to her last name: Guerrera--woman warrior--and that she will use her voice and writing talents to show the world it’s a more beautiful place because people like her are in it.

A celebration of the power of public art to express a community's cultural heritage, Arte del Pueblo explores San Antonio's heart and soul. In moving photography and poetic commentary, it covers five genres of public art in a variety of artistic styles, from murals, sculpture, and mosaics to street art and digital art projections. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of this multicultural crossroad through an introduction to its major artistic influences, as well as thought-provoking interviews with 11 of the 190 artists featured. San Antonio's public artworks can be found everywhere: from its famous River Walk to the West Side Barrio, in parks and libraries, along roadways and bridges, on high-rises and restaurants. The book's suggested self-tours guide those who wish to appreciate their favorite pieces in person.

A vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer from Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player. Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all! What's the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero Jose! Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator's pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now. Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes. Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author's note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band's popular song that inspired the book. A Junior Library Guild Selection!

Celebrating both the rebozo as a cultural icon of Mexico and the series of rebozo-inspired paintings by Mexican-Californian artist Catalina Garate, this bilingual collection of poems gives voices of strength, endurance, joy, and sorrow to the women of Garate's paintings. The rebozo is considered a physical manifestation of Mexican womanhood throughout every stage of life and can be used as a tool of daily labor: a sling to carry children, a shield from weather or from prying eyes, an heirloom, and even a shroud. Inspired by each painting, these poems, in both Spanish and English, are accompanied by a historical explanation of the role of the rebozo in Mexican history, art, and culture.

As a helping of "down-home magical realism," this collection of 16 short stories explores the human spirit inherent in the bilingual, bicultural world of the Texas-Mexico border. With a fresh sense of humor and human understanding, these stories skillfully bridge the gap between miracles and tragedies, prejudice and transcendence, and oppression and liberation. From the comical exploration of the hypocrisy expressed at funerals to the spiritual mission of a magical tortilla, the collection draws upon a wide range of emotions but comes together in a singular, powerful voice that reflects the holiness found in everyday life.

San Antonio poet laureate Carmen Tafolla captures her hometown-the city of her ancestors for the past three centuries-in poems that celebrate its history as a cosmopolitan multilingual cultural crossroads. Discover San Antonio's corazon in Tafolla's poetry, accompanied by historic and contemporary photographs that convey its enduring sense of place. A century ago, San Antonio gave Oscar Wilde ""a thrill of strange pleasure."" J. Frank Dobie claimed that ""every Texan has two hometowns-his own and San Antonio,"" and Will Rogers declared it to be ""one of the three unique cities of America."" To Larry McMurtry, ""San Antonio has kept an ambiance that all the rest of our cities lack."" Carmen Tafolla calls forth the soul of this place-the holy home of the waters, called Yanaguana by los indios-and celebrates the many cultures that have made of it ""un rebozo bordado de culturas y colores.

Where the paleta wagon rings its tinkly belland carries a treasure of icy paletasin every color of the sarape . . .
As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit-flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican-American children. Create a masterpiece, make tough choices (strawberry or coconut?), or cool off on a warm summer's day--there's so much to do with a paleta.

This major poetry collection is a fearless depiction of a Latina living in the best and worst of times.

A cradle for baby, a superhero's cape, a warm blanket on a cool night--there are so many things you can do with a rebozo. Through the eyes of a young girl, readers are introduced to the traditional shawl found in many Mexican and Mexican-American households.
Now in an English/Spanish bilingual edition, the lively rhyme and brightly-colored illustrations of the original are available to a whole new audience.
"Pictures of family life frame simply rhythmic text, and rich bands of jewel-toned acrylics highlight and demonstrate both the versatility of the shawl and the warm family relationships." " --School Library Journal"

A vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920's, this book tells the true story of Emma Tenayuca. Emma learns to care deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were starving to death and working unreasonably long hours at slave wages in the city's pecan-shelling factories. Through astute perception, caring, and personal action, Emma begins to get involved, and eventually, at the age of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. Emma Tenayuca's story serves as a model for young and old alike about courage, compassion, and the role everyone can play in making the world more fair.

Carmen Tafolla's New and Selected Poems continues TCU Press's series of collections by the Poets Laureate of Texas. Named the first-ever Poet Laureate of San Antonio in 2012, Tafolla was named Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015. This collection displays her mastery of the art of bilingual code switching, mining the riches of two languages-Spanish and English-to produce works that celebrate the beauty and vigor of a Hispanic heritage that has enriched American culture for generations. Called "a world-class writer" by Alex Haley and a "pioneer of Chicana literature" by Ana Castillo, in 1999 Tafolla was presented with the Art of Peace Award for writings that contribute to "peace, justice, and human understanding." Her works "thematically cross cultures and move into questions of human survival on this earth"-Dr. Wolfgang Karrer.

2006 Independent Publisher Book Award for Story Teller of the Year In this updated edition of Ana Castillo's celebrated novel in verse, featuring a new introduction by Poet Laureate of Texas Carmen Tafolla, we revisit the story's spirited heroine, known only as "Ella" or "She," as she takes us through her own epic journey of self-actualization as an artist and a woman. With a remarkable combination of tenderness, lyricism, wicked humor, and biting satire, Castillo dramatizes Ella's struggle through poverty as a Chicano single mother at the threshold of the twenty-first century, fighting for upward mobility while trying to raise her son to be independent and self-sufficient. Urged on by the gods of the ancients, Ella's life interweaves with those of others whose existences are often neglected, even denied, by society's status quo. Castillo's strong rhythmic voice and exploration of such issues as love, sexual orientation, and cultural identity will resonate with readers today as much as they did upon the book's original publication more than ten years ago. This expanded edition also includes a short preface by the author, as well as a glossary, a reader's guide, and a list of additional suggested readings.