I Am Rene, The Boy (english And Spanish Edition), De Rene Colato Lainez. Editorial Arte Publico Press, Tapa Dura En Inglés, 2005

Descripción

Young Rene s teacher is calling role one morning, and Rene is dismayed to hear someone else answer to his name. It s not only that he thought he was the only person with that name, but also that the new student who answers is a girl. That afternoon his classmates tease, Rene has a girl s name.

After discussing it with Mama and Papa, Rene decides, My name is so beautiful that a girl copied it from me, not the other way around. But the next day the new girl sits next to him is behind him every time they line up shares her apple with him and at recess tells him she wants to be his best friend. . . everywhere he turns, there s Rene the girl.

One day at the library, Rene discovers a book called The Meaning of Names. With the book tucked under his arm, Rene endeavors to win the first writing contest of the school year.

Complimented by playful illustrations, this bilingual picture book follows Colato Lainez s own experiences, when he was faced with a challenge to his own name as a child. This witty story about a young boy s odyssey to find out the meaning of his name will challenge readers aged 3 to 7 to chart cross-cultural differences by gaining an understanding about themselves and the people around them.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-In El Salvador, Rene feels confident, brave, and tough. Then he comes to the United States and must cope with a new culture and a new language. Dismayed when he learns that Rene is a girls name, he feels better when he finds out that the feminine version is spelled with a double e. An essay contest at school gives him a chance to put his research to good use and to celebrate both his name and his heritage. Based on the authors own experience, the story feels nonetheless a bit forced. The winning essay is too long to hold most childrens interest, though sympathy for Renes name troubles will be pretty universal. The Spanish translation reads slightly more smoothly than the English text. Ramirezs bright cartoon illustrations have a Tedd Arnoldesque pop-eyed charm. The color washes are luminous and the detail satisfying. While not as sensitive a treatment as Alma Flor Adas Me llamo Maria Isabel/My Name Is Maria Isabel (S & S, 1994), this story will prompt discussion and empathy for students struggling with language acquisition and cultural change.

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About the Author

RENE COLATO LAA NEZ is the author of Waiting for PapA¡ / Esperando a PapA¡. Colato LaAnez was born in El Salvador but moved to the United States in 1985. RenA© is a teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School in Sun Valley, California. All the children know him as the teacher full of stories. RenA© graduated from California State University at Northridge. Currently, he is working on his Master s Degree in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College. He is a member of the Society of Children s Book Writers and Illustrators.

FABIOLA GRAULLERA RAMA REZ was born in Mexico City and she graduated from UNAMÂ s National School of Fine Arts with a degree in Graphic Communication. Her work has been part of collective exhibits in Mexico and Spain. She has illustrated sixteen picture books and has worked on projects for Richmond, Progreso, Alfaguara, Compuvision, Laredo Publishing, Renaissance House, and for magazines such as Istmo, Selecciones, and MamA¡. Fabiola has an aquarium with several tropical fish and a cat named Dalila who enjoys watching the fish all day.