Nacho And Lolita

Nacho And Lolita

In this tender friendship story that will melt your heart, acclaimed storyteller Pam Munoz Ryan and talented newcomer Claudia Rueda reveal that any difference can be overcome with love. Once, when the two Californias ran alta y baja, high and low, along the Pacific, there lived a rare and majestic bird named Nacho, the only pitacoche for thousands of miles. He was proud of his brilliant feathers and haunting songs, but what good were they with no one to share them? Then the swallows came to nest and Nacho met Lolita. His heart filled with affection. Was it possible for two such different birds to find happiness together? And what would happen to Nacho when Lolita and the other swallows migrated back to South America? Grade 1-4–Like Leo Politi's Song of the Swallows (S & S, 1981), this picture book celebrates the fascinating migratory patterns of the birds that call Mission San Juan Capistrano home for the spring and summer. Each year on the March feast day of St. Joseph, the swallows return to the Mission. This tale is told from the perspective of another avian wonder, a once-colorful pitacoche . How it becomes a plainer-looking creature is at the heart of this pourquoi tale. Nacho, an extravagantly colored bird who lands at the Mission, is unimpressed with the arid landscape, but nonetheless does his best to entertain the native peoples and friars with his haunting melodies and bright appearance. Human acclaim, however, does not compare with the company of other birds, and so he eagerly anticipates the rumored return of the swallows. Nacho bonds with them and in particular with a sweet little female named Lolita. Much as he would like to accompany the swallows when the flock departs, it proves impossible for the big, ungainly bird. Initially distraught, he channels his energy into creating a surprise for them upon their return, and as a by-product leaves a lasting legacy of color and beauty for the Mission. This plot progression is reflected visually as the fairly subdued, dry landscapes morph into vivid abundance of flowers and fruit trees by the story's conclusion. An author's note that details the sources for this Mexican folktale-inspired book should enhance readers' enjoyment of the playfully illustrated ode. –Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Gr. 1-3. If you think Jeanne Willis' Tadpole's Promise (2005), in which a romantically involved tadpole and caterpillar metamorphose into predator and prey, is too much of a downer, here's a happier interspecies romance--one that puts magical flourishes on a Mexican folktale Ryan heard from her grandmother. Nacho is a pitacoche bird that "carries all the colors of the world in his feathers," but he longs for a companion. Then he meets a migratory swallow named Lolita, and ooh-la-la! He cannot fly well enough to return with her to South America, so he converts his enchanted feathers into bright flowers that cloak the landscape and guide the returning Lolita back to his side. Although the seams between truthful animal behavior and anthropomorphic fantasy seem a bit rough, Ryan's cozy storytelling will draw listeners close, and the Colombian-born illustrator cleverly exploits the contrast between the drought-scarred backdrops and Nacho's brilliance to achieve a vibrancy that is unusual in colored-pencil illustrations. A fanciful, broadly appealing affirmation of the transforming power of love. Jennifer Mattson Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Born and raised in California's San Joaquin Valley, Pam Muñoz Ryan comes from a background that is an ethnic mix of Spanish, Mexican, Basque, Italian, and Oklahoman. She has written books about Mexican migrant workers, the American Wild West, daring women, historic concerts, and mice and beans. "That's part of the enchantment of writing and creating characters - the variety," Ryan says. "I enjoy that there are many diverse parts to my job." Ryan is the author of more than 25 books for young readers, including the multi-award-winning Esperanza Rising, which has sold more than two million copies. When she's not traveling in the U.S. and abroad to promote her work, Ryan lives in north San Diego County near the Pacific Ocean with her husband. Her four grown children frequently come and go, and her two dogs, Buddy and Sammie, keep her company while she works. For more information about Pam Muñoz Ryan, visit: pammunozryan.com and scholastic.com/tradebooks