Angels Ride Bikes: And Other Fall Poems / Los Angeles Andan en Bicicleta: Y Otros Poemas de Otoño (The Magical Cycle of the Seasons Series) [Paperback]

Francisco X. Alarcon (Author), Maya Christina Gonzalez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: The Magical Cycle of the Seasons Series

In this bilingual poetry book, Francisco X. Alarcón invites young readers to experience fall in Los Angeles — the City of the Angels — where dreams can come true. In the poet's whimsical imagination, mariachis play like angels, angels ride bikes, and the earth dances the cha-cha-cha. Alarcón celebrates the simple joys and trials of everyday life: a visit to the outdoor market, the arrival of the ice cream vendor, the first day of school. He honors his family and pays tribute to his mother, who taught him that with hard work and education he could realize his dreams.

Maya Christina Gonzalez's spirited images perfectly complement each poem, bringing to life the people and places in Alarcón's childhood.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Book Press; First Trade Paper Edition edition (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892391987
• ISBN-13: 978-0892391981
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Spanish

More About the Author

As a young person, Maya Christina Gonzalez grew up under the hot pink sunsets of the Mojave Desert. It was in the brilliant hot pinks of the sunset that she finally found her reflection in her environment. At a very young age Maya understood the importance of seeing one's self reflected in one's world. When working with children, she often recalls her favorite page of any book as a child: those empty pages at the back. It was there that she used to draw in her round, Chicana face!

She has now created art for upwards of 20 award-winning, multicultural children's books. The first book she ever wrote, My Colors, My World was given the Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award.

What reviews are saying:

Animals of the Iquazu by Francisco Alarcon and illustrated by Maya

"The simple words--often playfully integrated into the illustrations as shaped poems--stress the natural balance of the Iguazú... The multimedia illustrations feature lush, glowing paints that depict the animals (including humans) set against a backdrop of cut-paper strips that comprise the rainforest's verdant growth. Stunning." --Kirkus Starred Review

My Colors, My World by Maya

"The exaggerated facial features of both Maya and her feathered friend capture the contentment they find through enjoying the beauty of their world . . . Recommended for public libraries and bookstores." --Criticas Magazine

I Know the River Loves Me by Maya

"The author's love and respect for the natural beauty and rhythm of the river and how it sustains her through quiet and vibrant moods is vividly portrayed in both her words and paintings. . . Inspiring and peacefully thought-provoking." --Kirkus Reviews

Nana's Big Surprise by Amada Irma Perez and illustrated by Maya

"...fantastically engaging... a treasure hunt for found objects... a wonderful book about the love and support of a family. " --ForeWord

Maya currently plays and plays in San Francisco. She wants to share the important lessons she has learned from her only and deeply loved teacher Creativity. In this spirit she has created a small press to share her lessons to support educators, fellow artists and especially children.

She loves to share her 3 rules:

1. Everyone is an artist.

2. There is never a right or a wrong way to make art.

3. Art is always an act of courage.

To learn more about her curriculum, philosophies and much more...please feel free to visit her here: www.reflectionpress.com

To see prints from her children's books...please visit her here:
mayachristinaprints.etsy.com

And to see more about her fine art and her work in the Contemporary Chicano/a Art Movement...feel free to go here: www.mayagonzalez.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!, October 22, 2010

By 

Kimberly DeWit - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Angels Ride Bikes: And Other Fall Poems / Los Angeles Andan en Bicicleta: Y Otros Poemas de Otoño (The Magical Cycle of the Seasons Series) (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful bilingual book, great for kids of all ages. The art is excellent, colorful, and bright! I have used this in my classroom as a starting point for discussion of holidays and life-styles [in h.s. level 1/2 spanish as foreign language]. Students responded very well to the text!