 In the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia at the turn of the 21st century, hardly anyone knows how to read or write. The young female narrator of the story is curious about the letters her older sister receives in the mail from her doctor friend. She hopes that they are love letters. Senor Velandia, the shop owner, is one of the few in the pueblo who can read. He helps the girl to read if she will help him in his shop. Slowly she learns the alphabet by writing letters on the ground with a piece of charcoal. She teaches the other children of the pueblo to read the letters with her and discover the magic of reading. The digital, richly colored, textured illustrations depict the Afro-Latine community. An author’s note explains the history of enslaved people in Central and South America, who were forbidden to read by the colonizing Spaniards. This story is woven together from the stories the author heard from various women across Colombia. mjw |
| Title: Letters In Charcoal Author: Irene Vasco Illustrator: Juan Palomino Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd. UK Copyright: 2023 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lawrence Schimel Original Title: Letras al carbon Original Publisher: Editorial Juventud S.A., Spain Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-915244-51-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Colombia Author’s ethnicity: Colombian Author’s residence: Colombia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Illustrator’s residence: Mexico Subjects: Alphabet, Central and South America, Education, Palenque, Pueblo, Reading |
Letters In Charcoal
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