info@docksidebooks.com
You have no items in your shopping cart.
More than a typical ABC is a guide to the islands, one letter at a time. In its 64 pages the reader can explore the history, culture, fauna, flora and geography of the Caribbean. With colorful, richly detailed illustrations and the simplicity of language required to engage small children, the book succeeds at several levels, and introduces words and concepts ripe for discussion. The letter "S" alone includes animal extinction (Caribbean seals), sailing, sugarcane and slavery ("one of the saddest of words," as the text reads). Little known facts are inserted in almost every page, and simple questions (sometimes with no quick answers) make the reading interactive. Do you know the difference between a tortoise and a turtle (letter "T"), a house and a home (letter "H"), from which island is the Caribbean's only astronaut? (letter "R"). There is also pleasure to be found in searching the illustrations for words that begin with the page's letter: bananaquit and bougainvillea are two examples from the letter "B" and St. Thomas' own unmistakable Fort Christian serves as background for the letter "F."
The book's title with its reference to a mystery, "Read and Discover What Happened to the Z" does not let children or adults down. Picayo turns the last letter into a closing and an opening, recognition to our heritage and a perfect farewell to this delightful journey.
| ISBN-13 | 9780972561181 |
| Author | Mario Picayo |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Illustrations | Earleen Griswold |
| Publisher | Camanita Books |
| Publication Date | October 2007 |
| Pages | 64pp |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Children's Books, Caribbean, West Indies |
| About the Author | MARIO PICAYO is a cultural activist, audiovisual artist and producer. He has worked for the Smithsonian Institution, the Dominican Republic's Institute of Folklore and other cultural institutions in the United States and the Caribbean. As a photographer, Mario Picayo’ solo exhibitions have been presented in New York, Spain, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Cuba, and the Virgin Islands. In the past he has worked as editor for Sesame Workshop (Sesame Street). He currently divides his time between duties as Editor in Chief of Editorial Campana, an independent publishing house, as Producer of Gente y cultura, the award winning public television program, and as Executive Director of LART (Latino Artist Round Table), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1999. The New York State Assembly made public recognition to his artistic career and his work as defender and promoter of Latino culture in 2004. |
| Reading Level | 3-4 grade |
"Join us in this fun and educational journey through the Caribbean islands, one letter at a time. From Aruba to Trinidad and from Alligator to Yam, you will learn the names of many of the islands, plus fascinating facts about them. A Caribbean astronaut? From which island? Seals in these tropical waters? An island with over 300 rivers? And what is a cokí? With beautiful illustrations by Native American artist Earleen Griswold, drawn during her years living in the Virgin Islands, this is a book that you and your family will enjoy opening again and again. It will captivate, entertain, and educate readers from any part of the world. And wait until you see what they did with the Z... "(Editorial Compana)