1.07.2018

Sing, Don't Cry

Henry Holt and Company
(pub. 8.22.2017)
40 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor and illustrator: Angela Dominguez

C haracter: Apolinar Navarrete

O
 verview from the jacket flap: 

     "Once a year, Abuelo comes from Mexico to visit his family. He brings his guitar, his music - and his memories.
     In this story inspired by the life of Apolinar Navarrete Diaz - author Angela Dominguez's grandfather and a successful mariachi musician - Abuelo and his grandchildren sing through the bad times and the good. Lifting their voices and their spirits, they realize that true happiness comes from singing together.
T antalizing taste: 
      
     "'Sing, don't cry, even when you are alone in a big city.'
       'Because singing can attract someone to sing with you.'
       'When you are misunderstood, and when people are unkind,
 remember - sing, don't cry, even if it is only in your soul.'
       And always,' Abuelo told us, 'I will be singing with you.'"
 
and something more:  The Author's Note explains that "Sing, Don't Cry is inspired by the refrain in 'Cielito lindo,' a popular Mexican song."  Angela Dominguez writes that her grandfather "was born in 1916. As a young boy, Apolinar and his family emigrated from the small town of Amealco, Querataro, to Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution. When he lost his leg in a bus accident at the age of nine, he turned to music, learning the guitar...Through it all, he was an extremely optimistic man who loved to share music and life with his loved ones."  The endpapers of the book include some wonderful family photos.

13 comments:

Cheriee Weichel said...

This looks like an interesting read. I love the concept of singing it nstead of crying. I sure wish it was available in my library system.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

HI Cheriee, Yes, it's a touching book about the author's grandfather and her connection. And I agree -- very nice that the focus is singing vs. crying. I hope the book is ordered by your library system.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

GatheringBooks said...

This looks like a really nice PBB - will try to find this in our library. :)

GatheringBooks said...

Oh! I have a pretty extensive list of PBBs up in my social and emotional learning bookshelf here: https://gatheringbooks.org/social-and-emotional-learning-sel-bookshelf/self-management/#14 - there are more to come in upcoming pages that are still in progress - I thought it might interest you. :)

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Myra! Wow! That's a truly terrific list of books in your list of "Pursuit of One’s Dreams; Having Self-motivation, Discipline and Persistence (and Portraits of High Creatives and Athletes)". What a great reference source! And I see two books by my good friend and critique partner, Amy Novesky, in your list. Hurrah!

thanks so much for stopping by!

Annette said...

I have a soft spot for picture books that tell a family story, and I loved this one!

Anonymous said...

Angela Dominguez has amazing art work. This was a sweet tale.

Anonymous said...

Angela Dominguez has beautiful art. This was a sweet tale.

Linda B said...

Thanks for telling about this book. I've seen it listed on various lists but didn't know any of its story. It sounds very nice.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Annette, Yes, this is truly a lovely family story! Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

I agree that Angela has wonderful art -- just right for her personal story about her grandfather. Thanks for stopping by @thechroniclesofachildrensbookwriter

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

HI Linda, Yes, I think you'd enjoy this story! Thanks for stopping by!

Books4Learning said...

Looks like a beautiful story. I love the theme of singing through the good times and the bad.