Teresa Cardenas

A Yoruba-Cuban myth concerning God-child, and his creation of Oloyou the cat, is beautifully retold in this bilingual English-Spanish picture-book, with text by Cuban author Teresa Cárdenas, and illustrations by Mexican artist Margarita Sada. In the very beginning, when the universe was still unformed, and God-child was lonely and bored, he created a fluffy white companion, a creature who was "soft and loving, and ... never tired of playing nor of having its back rubbed." But when Oloyou falls into Nothing, in the course of play, and finds himself in the vast, watery kingdom of Okún Aró, the first feline is soon falling in love with the Infinite Sea's lovely daughter, Kandili. Will Oloyou and Kandili find a way to be together? Or will bitter old Okún Aró manage to keep them apart...?

I simply adored this gorgeous picture-book, from the story itself - Yes! The cat was the first creature created! My love of all things feline is validated! - to the beautiful illustrations, which manage to emphasize Oloyou's fluffy cuteness (and vivid blue eyes!) in some scenes, and the creepy darkness of Okún Aró's kingdom in others. I haven't read much Yoruba mythology, and had never encountered this story before, so am unable to say how similar or dissimilar this Cuban variant is, to the "original" African version. In fact, that was rather unclear: mention is made, on the front dust-jacket flap, of Santeria, and the influence of African stories and culture on Cuba's development, but no further information as to the source of this story is given, which is rather frustrating. Still, I will be keeping an eye out for more from this talented author and illustrator! Definitely one I recommend to all who enjoy a good myth, or appreciate beautiful picture-book art!… (altro)

Letters to My Mother is about a young girl that writes letters to her mother that is in heaven. The girl lives in Cuba with her aunt, cousins and her grandmother. All of them don't like the girl, because she is always getting in trouble. In the letters, she writes about her new school, there is this white boy named Roberto and a mean girl named Baby. The kids at school make fun of her because she is black except for Roberto. Roberto always goes to the girl's house because he doesn't have a dad and his mother is always leaving the house. The girl also becomes friends with an old lady who is also a gardener. In her garden, there are beautiful plants and a tree that keeps growing fruit all year long. At the end of the book everyone starts to get along with the young girl. The girl starts to like living in Cuba, and she also wants to find her father.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The girl keeps sending letters to her dead mother, so she can have someone to talk to. The letters show that she loved her mother very much. The relatives that she is living with start to realize that she is a very nice and sweet girl. This book teaches people to be strong. If you've been punished, then you can write about it so it can make you feel better. I would recommend this book to a person who needs a book about love and caring for one another. Just like the characters in this story.… (altro)