Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music

In this picture book bursting with vibrance and rhythm, a girl dreams of playing the drums in 1930s Cuba, when the music-filled island had a taboo against female drummers. AGES: 4-8 AUTHOR: Rafael Lopez grew up in Mexico City, where he was immersed in the rick cultural heritage and colour of street life. His vibrant picture books include Tito Puente, Mambo King and My Name is Celia, both written by Monica Brown, and Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora. He has received the Pura Belpre and Americas awards multiple times. An acclaimed muralist, he has designed community-based mural projects nationwide. Margarita Engle is a Cuban-American poet and novelist whose work has been published in many countries. Her many acclaimed books include Silver People, The Lightning Dreamer, The Wild Book, and The Surrender Tree, a Newbery Honor Book. She is a several-time winner of the Pura Belpre and Americas awards, as well as other prestigious honours. Colour illustrations

Winner of Pura Belpre Award (Illustrator) 2016
Winner of Charlotte Zolotow Award 2016
Commended for Georgia Children's Book Award (Picture Storybook) 2017

“ "A beautiful account of a young girl's bravery and her important contribution toward gender equality in the creative arts." -- Kirkus , starred review "The heroine's tenacity in the face of naysayers will inspire all dreamers, and the illustrator's smile-inducing cameo on the last page emphasizes the universality of Millo's story...For those looking for more nonfiction titles about female musical powerhouses." -- School Library Journal , starred review "The text and illustrations work together beautifully here, creating a story that will imbue readers with inspiration and a yearning to make music of their own." --Booklist "A valuable addition to the growing library of stories about strong Latina women." --Publishers Weekly "With its emphasis on artistry and visual metaphor, this title bears a strong kinship with Yuyi Morales' Viva Frida , but it also brings an accessibility that young viewers (and teachers) will appreciate." --Bulletin "Engle's poetic text takes its cues from Zaldarriaga's chosen instrument, its rhythm at times steadily assured and at others loose and improvisational...[E]very spread is full of motion, with some of the illustrations requiring a ninety-degree turn, as if the book itself has got to dance." --Horn Book Magazine "Engle's poetic narrative combined with Lopez's warmly ethereal folk-art illustrations to evoke a nighttime tropical dreamscape." --New York Times Book Review ”

"A beautiful account of a young girl's bravery and her important contribution toward gender equality in the creative arts." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The heroine's tenacity in the face of naysayers will inspire all dreamers, and the illustrator's smile-inducing cameo on the last page emphasizes the universality of Millo's story...For those looking for more nonfiction titles about female musical powerhouses." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

"The text and illustrations work together beautifully here, creating a story that will imbue readers with inspiration and a yearning to make music of their own." -- Booklist

"A valuable addition to the growing library of stories about strong Latina women." -- Publishers Weekly

"With its emphasis on artistry and visual metaphor, this title bears a strong kinship with Yuyi Morales' Viva Frida, but it also brings an accessibility that young viewers (and teachers) will appreciate." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Engle's poetic text takes its cues from Zaldarriaga's chosen instrument, its rhythm at times steadily assured and at others loose and improvisational...[E]very spread is full of motion, with some of the illustrations requiring a ninety-degree turn, as if the book itself has got to dance." -- Horn Book Magazine

"Engle's poetic narrative combined with Lopez's warmly ethereal folk-art illustrations to evoke a nighttime tropical dreamscape." -- New York Times Book Review

Margarita Engle is a Cuban American poet and novelist who has won many awards, including a Newbery Honor and a Pura Belpré Honor. She lives in Northern California. Visit her website at .
Rafael López is an award-winning illustrator and muralist. He divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and San Diego, California. Visit his website at www.rafaellopez-books.com.

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