October 1, 2017
K-Gr 2- La Musica narrates this warm, lyrical tale of artistic exploration. The golden, fairylike character is born out of sound, "a single string plucked/or a note blown/or a beat rapped." Music is present in all of life's events, highs and lows, and takes part in the "Grand Harmony." For some unexplained reason, Miguel, a boy the narrator is drawn to, is forbidden to play music. He secretly practices on a makeshift guitar while his family joyfully make shoes. Noticing the colorless void that plagues Miguel when there is no music, La Musica engineers a genius plan involving mariachis, a mischievous dog, and a broken guitar to make the boy's dream to play the music in his heart come true. The character Mama Coco is referenced throughout (the mariachis are shushed by Miguel's grandmother so they don't upset Mama Coco), and this book ties into the plot of Pixar's Coco, but knowledge of the film isn't necessary to understand the work's celebration of music, creativity, and family. Ramirez's lively and vivid art captures the frenetic flow and the languid and exultant surge that music inspires. A candy-colored palette of oranges, purples, blues, greens, and reds depict varied settings, from a Mexican village square to quiet spaces of contemplation. Readers will want to drink up every page and phrase. VERDICT A must-purchase for picture book collections.- Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2017
Grades 1-3 La Musica narrates this touching, beautifully illustrated story about a boy with a seemingly impossible dream. As she travels through the town of Santa Cecilia, the music is everywhereat a wedding, a quinceanera, and beside a family in a cemetery. When the music comes across young Miguel, she instantly recognizes the longing in his heart, which he only shows when he is alone, and she knows that she must find a way to bring music into his life. Vivid and striking illustrations in vibrant colors cover every part of this story, showing the bustling town and the excitement in Miguel's heart, as well as the sadness. The calm, poetic writing nicely contrasts with the bright, lively pages to evoke the simple yet mysterious magic of the lure of music, which affects a wide range of cartoonish characters, from Miguel to his dog Dante to Mama Coco, who is saddened by music. Readers will cheer when the story comes around full circle and there is hope in Miguel's heart for a future full of song.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2018
This story, inspired by the Disney/Pixar film �cf2]Coco�cf1], is narrated by music itself in the form of a fairy-like figure. The narrator encourages little boy Miguel, whose practical-minded �cf2]abuelita�cf1] discourages music-making, to teach himself to play a discarded guitar. Steeped in Latino culture, this picture book affirms the importance of family, ethnic traditions, and immersive musical experiences. Lively, colorful, culturally rich illustrations give young readers plenty to discover.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 1, 2018
If you've ever wondered what music might look like when it comes to life, look no further than this picture book inspired by the 2017 Disney/Pixar film Coco. The story, narrated by music itself in the form of a fairy-like figure, shows the profound impact of "La Musica" on everything it touches, including weddings, funerals, quincineras, and more. A little boy, Miguel, who works in a shoemaking shop, does his best to find music anywhere he can. But his practical-minded abuelita scolds him: "stay away from the mariachisdo you want to upset Mama Coco?" (Mama Coco's role in the story remains unclear to anyone who hasn't seen the movie.) Still, Miguel pores over music videos on the VCR in his family's attic. The narrator, noting Miguel's passion, intervenes by leading him (via a stray dog named Dante) to a broken guitar discarded by a musician. After repairing the instrument, Miguel teaches himself to play, note by note. Miguel, says the narrator, "has become part of a grand harmony." Steeped in Latino culture, this picture book affirms the importance of family, ethnic traditions, and immersive musical experiences. Ramirez's lively, colorful, culturally rich illustrations will give young readers plenty to discover, while their retro appearance may remind adults of Little Golden Books and Disney cartoons from their own childhoods. michelle h. martin
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)