Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo

Tito Puente loved banging pots and pans as a child, but what he really dreamed of was having his own band one day. From Spanish Harlem to the Grammy Awards—and all the beats in between—this is the true life story of a boy whose passion for music turned him into the "King of Mambo."

Award-winning author-illustrator duo Monica Brown and Rafael López bring the remarkable story of this talented legend to life in this Pura Belpré Honor Book.

Critical Praise

“My father was an inspiration to many generations of Latin music fans worldwide. This book is a testament to that. Now his name and likeness will reach a brand new group of young fans who will discover his genius and talent.” — Tito Puente Jr.

“Brown and Lopez collaborate in this energetic bilingual tribute to salsa drummer and band leader extraordinaire. Lopez’s pictures convey salsa’s rhythmic exuberance via a riotous palette. A vibrant, reverent celebration of the godfather of salsa.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Irresistible. The vibrant imagery hums right off the page, full of high-contrast color and energetic composition, and decorated with swirling, starry embellishments." — Horn Book Magazine

"Brown’s bilingual text echoes the rhythms of salsa, mambo, and jazz .Lopez’s sizzling acrylics are anything but flat." — Publishers Weekly

"Like so many of Brown’s biographies, Tito’s story introduces readers to a vibrant Latino figure. Award-winning illustrator López brings Tito’s story to life in vibrant acrylic salsa reds and oranges, which are splashed behind every shake of Tito’s hips and wink of his eyes." — ALA Booklist

Product Details

ISBN: 9780061227837
ISBN 10: 0061227838
Imprint: HarperCollins Espanol
On Sale: 03/05/2013
Pages: 32
List Price:24.99 CAD
Ages: 4 to 8
BISAC1 : JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Cultural Heritage
BISAC2 : JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
BISAC3 : JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Music

Monica Brown

Biography

Monica Brown is the author of Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol and Side by Side/Lado a lado as well as the Pura Belpre Honor winners My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia and My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters.

Monica Brown es la autora de Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol y Side by Side/Lado a lado, y de los libros ganadores del Honor Pura Belpré My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia y My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica vive en Flagstaff, Arizona, con su marido y sus dos hijas.

Rafael Lopez is the award-winning illustrator of My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia and Book Fiesta! Rafael divides his time between his studios in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and a loft in downtown San Diego, where he works and lives with his wife and son.

Rafael Lopez es el ilustrador premiado de My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia y Book Fiesta! Rafael divide su tiempo entre sus talleres en San Miguel de Allende, Mexico y San Diego, California.

Other Works by Monica Brown

Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro

By Monica Brown
Pequeña habitación, grandes sueños: El viaje de Julián y Joaquín Castro

By Monica Brown
Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo

By Monica Brown

See all

Rafael López

Biography

Rafael López grew up in Mexico City, where he was immersed in the rich cultural heritage and color of street life. He is the illustrator of many vibrant picture books, including the acclaimed Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell. He has received the Pura Belpré and Américas awards multiple times. Rafael Lopez also designs and creates community-based murals nationwide. He divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and San Diego, California. Visit him at rafaellopez-books.com.