Behind the Stories

My Nana's Remedies / Los remedios de mi nana

"This book, My Nana's Remedies, will help preserve memories of love and tradition from our Latino culture. It can bring about cultural awareness for all peoples, providing the opportunity to revisit their own traditions, or begin to create new ones."
- Edward James Olmos,
Actor, Director, Family Literacy Advocate

August 16, 2006 José-Luis Orozco, children's author, songwriter, performer and recording artist of multicultural, Latin American songs/stories: "This book, MY NANA'S REMEDIES/LOS REMEDIOS DE MI NANA, will be in style for many years to come. For adults, memories of the past are rekindled. For children, seeds of home remedies and traditions that exist in all cultures are planted. This book has the potential to build bridges from one generation to another and amongst family members. it is also excellent for the teaching of reading, as well as science, history or ethnobotany, in English or Spanish."

Sana, Sana song Used by permission of Jose-Luis Orozco www.joseluisorozco.com

"Sana, sana, colita de rana, si no sanas ahora, sanarás mañana", is a magical healing phrase used for centuries in most all Spanish-speaking countries, from Spain to Mexico to South America. It is found on the second to last page of this story, which I wrote in Spanish first. This is what was said to me when I was a little girl to help my boo-boos feel better. You may be familiar with this phrase; if not, the English is an adaptation of the idea, not a word-for-word translation. The scientific notion from whence this came is that when a tadpole becomes a frog and loses its tail, it heals within a day's time.

Visit José-Luis Orozco's page, www.joseluisorozco.com, where you will find fun and exciting music for you and your kids. José Luis is a bilingual educator, children's author and recording artist who prides himself in providing rich Latin American culture in his music. His creations make all who listen to them want to sing, dance, clap, and laugh all while learning basic language and literacy skills that engage you in an interactive musical experience.

2011 Five Star Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
1^st in Cultural Diversity
1^st in Family Matters
Honorable Mention in Educational/Instructional

2011 Five Star Royal Dragonfly Book Award
2^nd place in Children's Picture Book 6 & Older

2002 Foreword Magazine's
Book of the Year Award Finalist

Hip, Hip, Hooray, It's Monsoon Day! / ¡Ajúa, ya llegó el chubasco!

"Children will see, hear, smell and taste the summer rains of the desert southwest in Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford's charming new picture book. They will also hear some local legends about wet weather and meet some rain-loving desert animals, as well as an engaging family who waits for and rejoices in the rain."
- Susan Lowell,
author of The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit/La tortuga y la liebre, The Three Little Javelinas/Los tres pequeñitos jabalíes, and many other stories for children

ONE BOOK ARIZONA AWARD WINNER - 2009
AMÉRICAS AWARD - 2008 - Commended Title
SOUTHWEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR - 2007 - Recognition for
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