I Am Rene, the Boy [Hardcover]

Rene Colato Lainez (Author), Fabiolla Graullera (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–In El Salvador, René feels confident, brave, and tough. Then he comes to the United States and must cope with a new culture and a new language. Dismayed when he learns that René is a girl's name, he feels better when he finds out that the feminine version is spelled with a double "e." An essay contest at school gives him a chance to put his research to good use and to celebrate both his name and his heritage. Based on the author's own experience, the story feels nonetheless a bit forced. The winning essay is too long to hold most children's interest, though sympathy for René's name troubles will be pretty universal. The Spanish translation reads slightly more smoothly than the English text. Ramírez's bright cartoon illustrations have a Tedd Arnoldesque pop-eyed charm. The color washes are luminous and the detail satisfying. While not as sensitive a treatment as Alma Flor Ada's Me llamo Maria Isabel/My Name Is Maria Isabel (S & S, 1994), this story will prompt discussion and empathy for students struggling with language acquisition and cultural change.
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About the Author

RENE COLATO LAÍNEZ is the author of Waiting for Papá / Esperando a Papá. Colato Laínez was born in El Salvador but moved to the United States in 1985. René is a teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School in Sun Valley, California. All the children know him as "the teacher full of stories." René graduated from California State University at Northridge. Currently, he is working on his Master’s Degree in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College. He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

FABIOLA GRAULLERA RAMÍREZ was born in Mexico City and she graduated from UNAM’s National School of Fine Arts with a degree in Graphic Communication. Her work has been part of collective exhibits in Mexico and Spain. She has illustrated sixteen picture books and has worked on projects for Richmond, Progreso, Alfaguara, Compuvision, Laredo Publishing, Renaissance House, and for magazines such as Istmo, Selecciones, and Mamá. Fabiola has an aquarium with several tropical fish and a cat named Dalila who enjoys watching the fish all day.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Arte Publico Pr; Bilingual edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558853782
• ISBN-13: 978-1558853782
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi! I am Rene Colato Lainez, and I write bilingual picture books for children. I am also a bilingual teacher at Fernangeles Elementary.Come on in and celebrate the pleasure of reading in English and Spanish. My goal as a writer is to produce good multicultural children's literature; stories where minority children are portrayed in a positive way, where they can see themselves as heroes, and where they can dream and have hopes for the future. I want to write authentic stories of Latin American children living in the States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 19, 2007

By 

mapper (Santa Maria, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Rene, the Boy (Hardcover)

Great book my kids loved it even though they don't speak Spanish - I used the Spanish to translate some words for them. The pictures are very well done and the story was interesting enough that when I was interrupted a few times they reminded me to continue with the story.

This is a book we will take care of and keep for a long time ---