Fiesta Femenina (Spanish Edition) - Hardcover

Mary-Joan Gerson is a psychologist, world-traveler and distinguished writer. She has published three books for children, including Why the Sky is Far Away (1992), which was a New York Times best illustrated book. She lives with her husband in New York City. Fiesta Femenina is her first title for Barefoot Books.

"A sophisticated and well-told collection of stories about Mexican women, these eight tales include folklore from a variety of the country's rich cultural traditions.... The protagonists are all unique and powerful in differing ways, showing bravery, cunning, trustworthiness, empathy, and serene certainty.... [T]hese selections are soundly composed, diverse, and celebratory of both women and the land from which they come. Gerson's prose is lively and engaging, drawing readers in and conveying pictures of believable people in fantastic situations. Gonzalez's primitive acrylic paintings are strong and vigorous, and their riotous use of color enhances the stories tremendously. This is a highly successful melding of story and pictures, and will appeal to upper- elementary students." --School Library Journal

"Drawing on rich strands of Mexican culture, these smoothly told folktales celebrate women, ranging from mythical goddesses to the historical Malintzen (a.k.a. Malinche).... The bold, colorful illustrations include borders along the bottom of each story to reflect its theme and full-page pictures of the heroic women in central scenes from each tale.... A celebration not only of the strength and complexity of Mexican women, but of the richness, vibrancy, and miraculous qualities of Mexican culture." --Kirkus Reviews

"Gerson ... retells eight Mexican folktales featuring women who show complexity, inner strength, and magical creativity.... Lushly illustrated with robust and colorful paintings by Maya Christina Gonzalez who won the Pura Belpre Honor Award for her illustrations for Francisco X. Alaracon's Laughing Tomatoes and other Spring Poems (1979), this collection will be a sparkling treasure in any folktale collection." --Booklist (starred review)

"Drawing on rich strands of Mexican culture, these smoothly told folktales celebrate women, ranging from mythical goddesses to the historical Malintzen (a.k.a. Malinche).... The bold, colorful illustrations include borders along the bottom of each story to reflect its theme and full-page pictures of the heroic women in central scenes from each tale.... A celebration not only of the strength and complexity of Mexican women, but of the richness, vibrancy, and miraculous qualities of Mexican culture." --Kirkus Reviews

"A sophisticated and well-told collection of stories about Mexican women, these eight tales include folklore from a variety of the country's rich cultural traditions.... The protagonists are all unique and powerful in differing ways, showing bravery, cunning, trustworthiness, empathy, and serene certainty.... [T]hese selections are soundly composed, diverse, and celebratory of both women and the land from which they come. Gerson's prose is lively and engaging, drawing readers in and conveying pictures of believable people in fantastic situations. Gonzalez's primitive acrylic paintings are strong and vigorous, and their riotous use of color enhances the stories tremendously. This is a highly successful melding of story and pictures, and will appeal to upper- elementary students." --School Library Journal

"Drawing on rich strands of Mexican culture, these smoothly told folktales celebrate women, ranging from mythical goddesses to the historical Malintzen (a.k.a. Malinche).... The bold, colorful illustrations include borders along the bottom of each story to reflect its theme and full-page pictures of the heroic women in central scenes from each tale.... A celebration not only of the strength and complexity of Mexican women, but of the richness, vibrancy, and miraculous qualities of Mexican culture." --Kirkus Reviews

"A sophisticated and well-told collection of stories about Mexican women, these eight tales include folklore from a variety of the country's rich cultural traditions.... The protagonists are all unique and powerful in differing ways, showing bravery, cunning, trustworthiness, empathy, and serene certainty.... [T]hese selections are soundly composed, diverse, and celebratory of both women and the land from which they come. Gerson's prose is lively and engaging, drawing readers in and conveying pictures of believable people in fantastic situations. Gonzalez's primitive acrylic paintings are strong and vigorous, and their riotous use of color enhances the stories tremendously. This is a highly successful melding of story and pictures, and will appeal to upper- elementary students." --School Library Journal