It's All In The Frijoles: 100 Famous Latinos Share Real Life Stories Time Tested Dichos Favorite Folkta (Paperback)

~ Yolanda Nava (Author) "My father was the one who taught us responsibility..." (more)
Key Phrases: Los Angeles, United States, Pin Pon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Emmy-award-winning journalist Nava has produced a collection of poems, old sayings, personal stories, folktales and short quotations drawn from an eclectic array of sources that is guaranteed to be a constant resource for parents who wish to instruct their children in traditional virtues. ("Blood is inherited," Nava's mother told her, "but virtue is acquired.") Divided into chapters with titles such as Responsibility, Respect, Hard Work, Faith, Courage, Justice and Chastity, each section features a host of historical figures, contemporary writers, directors, producers, political figures, artists, actors and entrepreneurs--a veritable who's who of international Latinos that demonstrates the immense influence of this group on American culture. Laced through it all is Nava's commentary on her own life, which, coming as it does from a highly successful journalist and businesswoman (she owns the Ponce-Niacasio Broadcasting Co.), is worth consideration. Despite a tendency to rely on celebrity status as intrinsic proof of virtue, Nava pulls off her lessons of Latino life with charm and old-fashioned grace.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Nava didn't understand why her terminally ill mother said that frijoles ("beans") were the source of her strength until after her death. "[T]he virtuous life," Nava writes, "is the product of constantly weeding out flaws and weaknesses, just like preparing a good pot of beans." This excellent anthology gathers more than 100 stories, proverbs, poems, speech excerpts, remembrances, and folktalesDorganized under 14 themes of loyalty, honesty, faith, courage, charity, and more. Nava, an Emmy Award-winning TV journalist living in California, believes that las virtudes ("the virtues") convey the essential collective wisdom taught to Hispanic children through the ages. The tone is upbeat and positive throughout, never demanding or moralistic. Short biographies of all 93 contributors (who go back as far as Teresa de Avila and up to present-day politicians, poets, and writers) appear at the end. Far meatier than most chicken soups, this is an excellent choice for family reading that transcends all cultures. In fact, the dichos ("proverbs") would make a delightful book by themselves. Highly recommended for all public libraries.DLinda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; Uncorrected Proof edition (May 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684849003
• ISBN-13: 978-0684849003
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #582,934 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be Hispanic, January 4, 2001

By	"ldeastlake" (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

You don't have to be Hispanic to love this book. On these pages you will find insight and inspiration for everyone. It gives an Anglo like me an indepth view of a community filled with wisdom and bursting with great stories. I highly recommend it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Parents and Educators!!!, July 21, 2001

By	Kelly S Carlsson (Ukiah, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This book is great! I have been reading the stories to my middle school class of ESL students. They love it. The lessons on Respect, Honor, and Values hit home. We have posted dichos all over our room. I especially like that this book shows Hispanic people who keep thier values and culture can be rich, famous, and respected. Wonderful!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Que Bueno!, April 22, 2000

By	A reader from San Antonio, Texas - See all my reviews

"Trabaja para mas valer, estudia para mas saber." Work to be worth more, study to know more. This book is a gem. It is structured so each chapter has a theme like responsabilidad, respecto, justicia. Famous latinos share a story and then the author links a set of appropriate dichos - commonly known in the english language as proverbs. This book is helpful for those of use who grew up hearing dichos from our abuelitos, but not understanding the historical context. Excellent choice!