My first author is Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, she wrote Diego: Bigger than Life. Carmen grew up in the country of Puerto Rico, born in 1947, and started writing in second grade. But when Carmen received that paper back with a note reading, “Great imagination,” she didn’t take it as a compliment. Her sister always said that meant she was a liar, so Carmen didn’t write another story until 1981, when her children were born. She also taught at the University of Puerto Rico for seven years before making her movie to the United States. She has been awarded the Pura Belpre book award, as well as Pura Belpre honor books, Smithsonian Notable Book of the Year, a Blue Ribbon from the Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books, and A Las America’s Book of the Year. Her Story of Diego, an aspiring painter with a tragic childhood. We watch Diego grow as a person, finding love, his passion, and his future. Through his journey he studies under well-known artists, mimicking their styles. It isn’t until he returns home, to Mexico, that he discovers his own style. http://www.carmenberniergrand.com…show more content… Monica is currently a professor at Northern Arizona University, specializing in U.S. Latino and Multicultural Literature. She is the winner of the Americas Award for Children’s Literature, Orbis Pictus for outstanding nonfiction, a Christopher award, Tejas Star Book Award, and Pura Belpre Award for illustration. In Brown’s book, Tito Puente: Mambo King, we hear the story of Tito, starting his music career as many children do; banging on pots and pans. But Tito’s dreams were much bigger than that, he one day hoped to have his own band. This true life story will take you to Spanish Harlem and the Grammys, following Tito on his own rhythmic journey to become the King of Mambo.
