Rafael López's Blog, page 10

New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2016

Grateful to the New York Public Library for recognizing Maybe Something Beautiful as one of 33 picture books chosen by the New York Public Library for Best Books of 2016. You can find out about other amazing books in categories like fiction for kids, fairy tales and folklore, graphic novels, non-fiction, poetry and best books for teens. Click on the link below to see the full list.

New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2016 

Maybe Something Beautiful Book Trailer

Finding Direction for Bravo!

Process painting on wood-searching for direction
Study of Cesar Chavez










































































Sometimes I like working more traditionally. This was a study on wood of Cesar Chavez for an upcoming book Bravo! written by my friend, the gifted poet Margarita Engle. I ended up creating a more graphic and conceptual approach to the portraits of Latino heroes but this was a great activity to help me find my direction. Our book is due out next year.

Latinos in Kid Lit

Thanks to Latinos in Kid Lit for this great article on Book Fiesta that celebrates Día de los Niños/Children's Day/Book Day. To read the article and see lots of imagery please visit this link: Latinos in Kid Lit

My Tribute to Prince

7 year old Roshini reviews Maybe Something Beautiful at Kids Book Buzz

Really enjoyed this review by 7 year old Roshini of Maybe Something Beautiful at Kids Book Buzz 

Maybe Something Beautiful Mural

San Diego Cooperative Charter School 2 Before
New Mural painted for El día de los niños/El día de los libros [Children's Day/Book Day] 

Community at work.

Maybe Something Beautiful Book Team: Author Isabel Campoy, Editor Jeannette E. Larson HMH, Stefanie Von Borstel of Full Circle Literary and Author Theresa Howell.









































Grateful to SDCCS 2 Principal Anthony Villaseñor
Reading the story with authors Theresa Howell & Isabel Camply







































































Had a great time this last week preparing and painting the Maybe Something Beautiful mural to celebrate Children's Day/Book Day and the release of Maybe Something Beautiful. Thanks to all the amazing kids, volunteers, families and artist friends who made it possible at the San Diego Cooperative Charter School 2 in southeast San Diego.

Viva Cuba/Focus On

Cuba and the United States are only 90 miles away but for over 50 years have been apart. Teachers and students are discussing our changing relationship in their classrooms. Thanks to School Library Journal for posting a list of useful books and for including Drum Dream Girl written by Cuban born Margarita Engle on that list. Check it out at School Library Journal.

¿Cachai? Chile

¿Cachai? is a popular expression that means do you catch or do your know? I just returned from an amazing trip to Chile, invited by Nido de Aguilas to speak to kids about making books. Wanted to share some memories and thank the many new friends I made along the way.

Connecting with new Librarian friends at Nido de Aguilas, Chile
Visiting Villalobos studio with Antonia López and Nevenka Pavic in Valparaiso, Chile
Peeling Textures
Museo Violeta Parra


Valparaiso
Liguria, one of the oldest and coolest restaurants in downtown Santiago

Read to Achieve

Kids discover Maybe Something Beautiful at Otis Elementary School 

Boston Celtic's Player Marcus Smart reading with kids

















































Thanks to Boston Celtics players for inspiring the next generation as part of Read to Achieve. Check out this short video of the event and appreciate Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for donating books to this worthwhile program.