Customer Reviews

Oye, Celia!

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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This book celebrates Celia Cruz's life with the reverence this remarkable singer deserves. It's a wonderful book, not only for fans of Celia Cruz, but also for those families and libraries seeking to foster an appreciation for the vibrant latino culture in the Americas.

Though this book is targeted for the early elementary grades, my son, who is 22 months old, LOVES it! The text is rhythmic, engaging, and allows for different layers of depth of conversationg depending on the age of the child. The illustrations are sophisticated and add further layers of complexity to the text. I disagree very strongly with the Booklist review that says that suggests the text does little to invoke the rhythms of salsa. First, the sounds of salsa clearly resonate in the text. Second, the comment seems to come from a limited understanding of salsa music and salsa rhythms. This book is my new "everyone gets this as a birthday gift" for the children in my life!

Oye Celia is a beautifully written book both for adults and children, it brings to life an iconic woman who has touched the lives of many many people across the world. The integration of Spanish language and words in Celia's songs make this book especially beautifully. I hope that you will all purchase this book for you and others, it is truly a book to be treasured!!! I am grateful that generations of little ones will come to learn of this important woman Celia thru the use of Katie's poetic words!