 Madrid is a harsh place for a dwarf named Bartolomé. He is seen as incapable and worthless due to his deformities. When Bartolomé moves to the city with his family, he is hidden in a back room so as to not be seen. One day while Jeronima, a 20 year old neighbor who has an intellectual disability, is carrying Bartolomé back from secret reading and writing lessons with a monk, Bartolomé tumbles out of the laundry basket and into the path of the royal carriage of the Infanta, the king’s daughter. The Infanta gets out of the carriage and gazes upon Bartolomé, perceiving him as a human dog and plans to make him into another one of her playthings. Now having lost his dignity, Bartolomé must be dressed up daily as a dog to please the Infanta. Andrés is the painter’s apprentice who is in charge of painting Bartolomé’s face. Kindly, he teaches Bartolomé how to make paint and even allows him to create his own work of art which is beautiful and meaningful. With the help of his family and members of the painters’ guild, a clever magic trick allows Bartolomé to be free from his degrading work and he becomes a painter’s apprentice himself. This story takes place during the 17th century and explores the intolerance of individuals with disabilities while a hopeful tone shines through. cc |
| Title: Bartolomé The Infanta’s Pet Author: Rachel Van Kooij Publisher: Little Island Copyright: 2012 Original Language: German Translator: Siobhán Parkinson Original Title: Kein Hundeleben für Bartolomé Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag Original Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5 Paperback pages: 208 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Madrid, Spain Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: Austria Subjects: 17th century, Disabilities, Discrimination, Dwarfs, Families, Madrid, Spain |
to leave her happy life in her mountain village as she travels to the city of Beirut where she begins work as a maid to help her family make ends meet. For two years Faten works tirelessly, barely able to find a spare moment for herself. This strong-willed, determined young woman longs for more in life and she begins to pursue her dream of attending university to become a nurse with the help of her handsome, blonde neighbor, Marwan. Marwan graciously arranges the exams Faten will need to get into university and a romance begins to unfold. Unfortunately, Faten is spotted on an outing with Marwan, word travels to her boss, and Faten is fired from her job. Upon returning home to her village, Faten is chastised. She must earn her father’s understanding and forgiveness so she can return to Beirut where she can continue independently in her journey for a better, more fulfilling purpose in life. This third-person narrative highlights the ambitious, hopeful spirit of a young woman living in the late 1980s in a war-torn Lebanese society. cc
If you happened to find a dinosaur in your home, what would you do with him? You would be surprised to see how helpful he could be. Would you put him to use as a can opener, a burglar alarm, or an umbrella? Would you use him as a lawnmower or an excuse for incomplete homework? The book also warns readers that some dinosaurs are not suited for every type of chore; It is about finding the right fit. This whimsical, absurd tale allows the reader’s imagination to run wild while exploring the domestic uses of a dino. The bold, playful illustrations add to the humorous and exaggerative nature of the story. cc
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