Donde las maravillas crecen (Where Wonder Grows)

By Xelena González, Adriana M. Garcia, Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz
Paperback: $12.95

A 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner

De las creadoras del galardonado libro ilustrado All Around Us llega otra historia lírica intergeneracional que explora nuestra conexión con la naturaleza, la familia y las tradiciones.

From the creators of the award-winning picture book All Around Us comes another lyrical intergenerational story exploring our connection to nature, family, and traditions.

Front cover for Where Wonder Grows by Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia
This book is also available in English
Where Wonder Grows
By Xelena González, Adriana M. Garcia

Description

Cuando la abuela va hacia su jardín especial, sus nietas saben que deben seguirla. Abuelita invita a las niñas a explorar su colección de tesoros (rocas mágicas, cristales, conchas marinas y meteoritos) para ver qué maravillas revelan. “Son seres vivos y llenos de sabiduría,” dice la abuela. Mientras sus nietas observan con atención, los tesoros despiertan la imaginación de las niñas. Encuentran historias en la fuerza de las rocas formadas por los volcanes, el poder limpiador de hermosos cristales, el misterio del mar que albergan las conchas y cómo le dan forma al medio ambiente y el largo viaje que hicieron los meteoritos para encontrar su camino hacia la Tierra. Éste es el poder del jardín especial de la abuela, donde las maravillas crecen y florecen los cuentos.

When Grandma walks to her special garden, her granddaughters know to follow her there. Grandma invites the girls to explore her collection of treasures–magical rocks, crystals, seashells, and meteorites–to see what wonders they reveal. “They are alive with wisdom,” Grandma says. As her granddaughters look closely, the treasures spark the girls’ imaginations. They find stories in the strength of rocks shaped by volcanoes, the cleansing power of beautiful crystals, the mystery of the sea that houses shells and shapes the environment, and the long journey meteorites took to find their way to Earth. This is the power of Grandma’s special garden, where wonder grows and stories blossom.

About the Creators

Xelena González headshot. Xelena has long, black hair and wears dangly earrings and a floral shirt.
Xelena González

Xelena González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. Her award-winning picture books include All Around Us and Where Wonder Grows. A former librarian and enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena has become a sought-after speaker on topics such as radical self love, creative early literacy strategies, inhabiting story through music and movement, and reclaiming indigenous identity in Latinx communities. She still lives in San Antonio, where she grew up. Find out more at xelena.space.

Adriana M. Garcia
Adriana M. Garcia

Adriana M. Garcia is a visual artist, a muralist, and an illustrator. She is the recipient of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award for Where Wonder Grows and a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for All Around Us, both picture books by Xelena González. Garcia has exhibited her artwork nationally and has presented at conferences, schools, and museums around the United States. She especially loves painting portraits of strong women to honor those who have come before and those who continue to lead by example. Garcia lives in San Antonio, Texas, and you can find her online at adrianamjgarcia.com.

Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz
Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz

Awards

  • Southwest Books of the Year 2023

    Pima County Public Library

  • Best Children's Books of the Year in Spanish 2023

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Brigid Erin Flynn Award for Best Picture Book Winner 2023

    Texas Institute of Letters (TIL)

  • Junior Library Guild Selection

    Junior Library Guild

  • International Latino Book Award Silver 2023

    Empowering Latino Futures

  • Américas Award 2023

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

  • Best of the Best Books in Spanish 2022

    Chicago Public Library

  • Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner 2023

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books 2023

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Best of the Best Books 2022

    Chicago Public Library

Reviews

  • "A lyrical, wise story that explores family by exploring the earth. This book should be in every classroom and every home."

    - Matt de la Peña, Newbery Medalist
  • "Beautiful and meditative."

    - Juana Martinez-Neal, Caldecott honoree
  • "There's an undercurrent of urgency here that says: Remember this."

    - Suzanne Bloom, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award honoree

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781947627581
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Jan 11, 2022
  • Trim Size 8.5 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Science & Nature / Environment
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Native American
  • Themes Environment / Nature, Families, Fiction, Grandparents, Imagination, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 9
  • Grade Range Grades PreK - 4
  • Guided Reading R
  • Spanish Guided Reading R
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades PreK - 4
  • Lexile Level 840
  • Lexile Measurement 840L
  • Reading Level Grades 4 - 5
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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