Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words

"We will bring change through our voice."

"Our words can change the world"

- Malala Yousafzai



Today is the anniversary of Malala Yousafzai being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize one year ago today. In honor of Malala and her achievement, I am reviewing Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words- a picture book about how Malala became an internationally known advocate for education.

Malala was born in Mingora on the River Swat in northern Pakistan. Her father, a school principal, named her after a Maiwand woman who helped save her village from invaders over 100 years ago.

When the Taliban took control of Malala's village, they forbade girls to go to school. Malala continued to go to school anyway, and shea began writing a blog about why everyone should have the right to an education. The blog was published in Urdu, but also in English by BBC.

In 2011, Malala was recognized for her writing, and received Pakistan's first National Youth Award for Peace. This angered the Taliban, and in 2012, Malala and two of her friends were ambushed and shot while riding in a school bus. Thankfully, everyone survived, and on her 16th birthday, Malala spoke at the United Nations urging every nation to help make it possible for every child to go to school for free.

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words is a wonderful book that celebrates courage, and is an example of how one person can make a difference. Malala Yousafzai is now world-known as an advocate for education. Learn more about Malala and the work she is doing at www.malala.org

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words

Written by: Karen Leggett Abouraya

Illustrated by: L. C. Wheatley

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz

 

Do you love salsa music? I love it, and in celebration of Hispanic American Heritage Month, I am reviewing the bilingual picture book My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz.Celia Cruz was a salsa music legend, who is known as the Queen of Salsa, and rightly so. Had she not brought her beautiful music to the United States, salsa music would not be what it is today in the U.S.

 

Celia Cruz was born in Cuba, and she grew up around beautiful music and colorful clothing, both of which influenced her singing. She came from humble beginnings; her father was a railroad worker- but their lives were filled with music that brought them much joy, despite being poor.

 

Celia was gifted at a young age and would sing songs with both African and Cuban rhythms to her family as well as neighbors. She did well in school and was encouraged by her teacher to "go into the world and sing." Celia began singing in competitions with her cousin, but some would not let her sing because of her dark skin - but that didn't discourage her! She left Cuba during the revolution, and moved to the U.S., where she became a U.S. citizen. Celia brought salsa music to America that blended rock, rumba, mambo and jazz music. Celia Cruz was so successful as a singer in America that she was honored by presidents, and became known as the Queen of Salsa.

 

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz is a wonderful children's book, not only because it teaches us about an important Hispanic woman in history. It's exceptional because it is a story of triumph, that educates children about a woman who crossed borders and broke boundries to pursue a talent that enriched and changed the world. The book's beautiful illustrations do a beautiful job of representing the energy that Celia brought to her music, and the descriptions of the sounds of nature and food she cooked with her family encourages children to pay attention to their surroundings to find inspiration to be creative. Most of all, it is a book that teaches children that you can overcome obstacles if you don't give up, and that is a lesson any child of color should be taught at a young age, if they are to survive and be successful in life.

 

 

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz

Written by: Monica Brown

Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez