{"id":8306463965421,"title":"Adela's Mariachi Band","handle":"adelas-mariachi-band","description":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/denise-vega\"\u003eDenise Vega\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by:\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/erika-medina\"\u003e Erika Medina\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdela loves everything about her family's mariachi band—except that she isn't in it!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdela wants nothing more than to be a part of her family's mariachi band, but when she tries the different instruments, everything comes out wrong. La trompeta fizzles, la vihuela squeaks, and trying to dance makes Adela fall on her face. From watching her family, Adela knows that practice makes perfect, but can she find a way to be part of the band in the meantime?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new go-to read-aloud favorite that comes complete with funny instrument sounds, a rhythmic text, and Spanish vocabulary. Strike up the band!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/under-the-mambo-moon\"\u003eUnder the Mambo Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/esquivel-space-age-sound-artist\"\u003eEsquivel!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-spread.jpg?v=1701180378\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1719506119\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-activity-kit.pdf?v=1718893092\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenise Vega, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDenise Vega wrote and illustrated her first book, \u003cem\u003eThe Laziness of Peter Rabbit,\u003c\/em\u003e when she was around twelve years old. Teachers were a huge influence on Denise and encouraged her pursuit of writing. Today she pulls inspiration from everywhere, from her nieces and nephews to the mountains and streams that grace the view from her home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/denise-vega\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Denise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErika Medina, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eErika Medina is a Mexican art teacher and illustrator. She is the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eThere Goes Patti McGee! \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Margot and the Moon Landing.\u003c\/em\u003e Erika works with both traditional and digital media, and loves to illustrate expressive characters, grumpy children, and subjects related to plants and nature. She lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/erika-medina\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Erika.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA child yearns to join her family's mariachi band in the colorful, jubilant picture book Adela's Mariachi Band by Denise Vega (\u003ci\u003eIf Your Monster Won't Go to Bed\u003c\/i\u003e) and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina (\u003ci\u003eAnd J.J. Slept\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003cbr\u003e\n\nAdela, a broad-faced girl with winsome dark eyes, brown skin, and a middle-parted ponytail, \"loves everything about her family's mariachi band--except the fact that she isn't in it.\" Papá's trompeta only makes a \"small, fizzly\" sound when Adela plays it. Her tío's vihuela only squeaks for her. Her graceful mamá and sisters can make their folklórico skirts \"flow like rainbows,\" but Adela's dance ends in a face-plant: \"SPLAT!\" Each failure is announced by Adela with a tiny, plaintive \"oy,\" \"iiieee,\" or \"ahh,\" copies of her tía Evelyn's massive, soulful gritos (\"shouts\"). Adela realizes as she sits mournfully amid crayon-scribble recollections of her attempts that every skill in the band will take a long time to perfect. Her exclusion seems certain until Adela realizes she can do one thing, after all. At the end of the next show, Evelyn stands back, Papá places his hat on Adela's head, and she joyously shouts los gritos.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nCulture and tradition take center stage as Adela struggles to find her niche, always surrounded and supported by the warm circle of her family. Vega's punchy voice and Medina's lively digital illustrations combine for an affirming reminder that age and size needn't be a barrier to following a passion. Backmatter includes an author's note on Vega's family history of mariachi music and a shortlist of web resources for the intrigued reader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdela loves everything about her family’s mariachi band (“how the music skips and bounces.... how her family dances and claps”)—except “the fact that she isn’t in it.” But her early attempts at playing various instruments and joining the dancers quickly reveal that becoming proficient will take a long time (“When Papá plays la trompeta, big, beautiful sounds burst out.... When Adela tries it, a small, fizzly sound dribbles out,” Vega writes). Frustrated with her attempts, Adela makes a drawing of beloved mariachi elements that presages her own participation. Rodriguez Medina’s warm-toned digital illustrations offer texture and depth to a story that conveys one child’s early attempts at being part of something she loves. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and sources conclude. Ages 4–7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fun and colorful book about the art of mariachi music in Mexico. The pictures are very colorful pencil drawings that illustrate mariachi culture. This is written by Denise Vega whose father and grandfather were in a mariachi group. She grew up listening to them play this music. The book goes through many facets of playing in a mariachi band. Adela hears the trumpet play, the vihuela (Spanish string instrument similar to a guitar) sing, and the violin strings soar. She watches her mother and sisters dance to the music, their long colorful skirts twirling in the air. Written for young children, this is a great way to introduce the art form to them, and then pair it with a video of musicians and dancers playing and dancing to this music. Great book to use for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in September, and as part of a unit on Mexican culture any other time of the year as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-444-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpanish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-445-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4–7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: August 13, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-12-05T14:48:42-05:00","created_at":"2023-11-28T09:20:03-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Art\/Music\/Theater","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44514581086445,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"44447","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":40970530652397,"product_id":8306463965421,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-06-27T12:35:17-04:00","updated_at":"2024-06-27T12:35:19-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":464,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","variant_ids":[44514581086445]},"available":true,"name":"Adela's Mariachi Band - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":471,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623544447","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":33656065327341,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":44514607169773,"title":"Spanish Hardcover","option1":"Spanish Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"44454","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":40970530586861,"product_id":8306463965421,"position":2,"created_at":"2024-06-27T12:35:17-04:00","updated_at":"2024-06-27T12:35:19-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":464,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/spanish-adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","variant_ids":[44514607169773]},"available":true,"name":"Adela's Mariachi Band - Spanish Hardcover","public_title":"Spanish Hardcover","options":["Spanish Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":471,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623544454","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":33656065294573,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/spanish-adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/spanish-adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":33656065327341,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119"},"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","width":600},{"alt":null,"id":33656065294573,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/spanish-adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119"},"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/spanish-adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/denise-vega\"\u003eDenise Vega\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by:\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/erika-medina\"\u003e Erika Medina\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdela loves everything about her family's mariachi band—except that she isn't in it!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdela wants nothing more than to be a part of her family's mariachi band, but when she tries the different instruments, everything comes out wrong. La trompeta fizzles, la vihuela squeaks, and trying to dance makes Adela fall on her face. From watching her family, Adela knows that practice makes perfect, but can she find a way to be part of the band in the meantime?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new go-to read-aloud favorite that comes complete with funny instrument sounds, a rhythmic text, and Spanish vocabulary. Strike up the band!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/under-the-mambo-moon\"\u003eUnder the Mambo Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/esquivel-space-age-sound-artist\"\u003eEsquivel!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-spread.jpg?v=1701180378\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover.jpg?v=1719506119\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1719506119\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/adelas-mariachi-band-activity-kit.pdf?v=1718893092\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenise Vega, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDenise Vega wrote and illustrated her first book, \u003cem\u003eThe Laziness of Peter Rabbit,\u003c\/em\u003e when she was around twelve years old. Teachers were a huge influence on Denise and encouraged her pursuit of writing. Today she pulls inspiration from everywhere, from her nieces and nephews to the mountains and streams that grace the view from her home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/denise-vega\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Denise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErika Medina, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eErika Medina is a Mexican art teacher and illustrator. She is the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eThere Goes Patti McGee! \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Margot and the Moon Landing.\u003c\/em\u003e Erika works with both traditional and digital media, and loves to illustrate expressive characters, grumpy children, and subjects related to plants and nature. She lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/erika-medina\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Erika.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA child yearns to join her family's mariachi band in the colorful, jubilant picture book Adela's Mariachi Band by Denise Vega (\u003ci\u003eIf Your Monster Won't Go to Bed\u003c\/i\u003e) and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina (\u003ci\u003eAnd J.J. Slept\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003cbr\u003e\n\nAdela, a broad-faced girl with winsome dark eyes, brown skin, and a middle-parted ponytail, \"loves everything about her family's mariachi band--except the fact that she isn't in it.\" Papá's trompeta only makes a \"small, fizzly\" sound when Adela plays it. Her tío's vihuela only squeaks for her. Her graceful mamá and sisters can make their folklórico skirts \"flow like rainbows,\" but Adela's dance ends in a face-plant: \"SPLAT!\" Each failure is announced by Adela with a tiny, plaintive \"oy,\" \"iiieee,\" or \"ahh,\" copies of her tía Evelyn's massive, soulful gritos (\"shouts\"). Adela realizes as she sits mournfully amid crayon-scribble recollections of her attempts that every skill in the band will take a long time to perfect. Her exclusion seems certain until Adela realizes she can do one thing, after all. At the end of the next show, Evelyn stands back, Papá places his hat on Adela's head, and she joyously shouts los gritos.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nCulture and tradition take center stage as Adela struggles to find her niche, always surrounded and supported by the warm circle of her family. Vega's punchy voice and Medina's lively digital illustrations combine for an affirming reminder that age and size needn't be a barrier to following a passion. Backmatter includes an author's note on Vega's family history of mariachi music and a shortlist of web resources for the intrigued reader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdela loves everything about her family’s mariachi band (“how the music skips and bounces.... how her family dances and claps”)—except “the fact that she isn’t in it.” But her early attempts at playing various instruments and joining the dancers quickly reveal that becoming proficient will take a long time (“When Papá plays la trompeta, big, beautiful sounds burst out.... When Adela tries it, a small, fizzly sound dribbles out,” Vega writes). Frustrated with her attempts, Adela makes a drawing of beloved mariachi elements that presages her own participation. Rodriguez Medina’s warm-toned digital illustrations offer texture and depth to a story that conveys one child’s early attempts at being part of something she loves. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and sources conclude. Ages 4–7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fun and colorful book about the art of mariachi music in Mexico. The pictures are very colorful pencil drawings that illustrate mariachi culture. This is written by Denise Vega whose father and grandfather were in a mariachi group. She grew up listening to them play this music. The book goes through many facets of playing in a mariachi band. Adela hears the trumpet play, the vihuela (Spanish string instrument similar to a guitar) sing, and the violin strings soar. She watches her mother and sisters dance to the music, their long colorful skirts twirling in the air. Written for young children, this is a great way to introduce the art form to them, and then pair it with a video of musicians and dancers playing and dancing to this music. Great book to use for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in September, and as part of a unit on Mexican culture any other time of the year as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-444-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpanish Hardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-445-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4–7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: August 13, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Adela's Mariachi Band


By: Denise Vega / Illustrated by: Erika Medina

Adela loves everything about her family's mariachi band—except that she isn't in it!

Adela wants nothing more than to be a part of her family's mariachi band, but when she tries the different instruments, everything comes out wrong. La trompeta fizzles, la vihuela squeaks, and trying to dance makes Adela fall on her face. From watching her family, Adela knows that practice makes perfect, but can she find a way to be part of the band in the meantime?

A new go-to read-aloud favorite that comes complete with funny instrument sounds, a rhythmic text, and Spanish vocabulary. Strike up the band!

Maximum quantity available reached.

Denise Vega, author

Denise Vega wrote and illustrated her first book, The Laziness of Peter Rabbit, when she was around twelve years old. Teachers were a huge influence on Denise and encouraged her pursuit of writing. Today she pulls inspiration from everywhere, from her nieces and nephews to the mountains and streams that grace the view from her home.

Read more about Denise.


Erika Medina, illustrator

Erika Medina is a Mexican art teacher and illustrator. She is the illustrator of There Goes Patti McGee! and Margot and the Moon Landing. Erika works with both traditional and digital media, and loves to illustrate expressive characters, grumpy children, and subjects related to plants and nature. She lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Read more about Erika.

  • Coming soon!

Shelf Awareness, starred review

A child yearns to join her family's mariachi band in the colorful, jubilant picture book Adela's Mariachi Band by Denise Vega (If Your Monster Won't Go to Bed) and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina (And J.J. Slept).
Adela, a broad-faced girl with winsome dark eyes, brown skin, and a middle-parted ponytail, "loves everything about her family's mariachi band--except the fact that she isn't in it." Papá's trompeta only makes a "small, fizzly" sound when Adela plays it. Her tío's vihuela only squeaks for her. Her graceful mamá and sisters can make their folklórico skirts "flow like rainbows," but Adela's dance ends in a face-plant: "SPLAT!" Each failure is announced by Adela with a tiny, plaintive "oy," "iiieee," or "ahh," copies of her tía Evelyn's massive, soulful gritos ("shouts"). Adela realizes as she sits mournfully amid crayon-scribble recollections of her attempts that every skill in the band will take a long time to perfect. Her exclusion seems certain until Adela realizes she can do one thing, after all. At the end of the next show, Evelyn stands back, Papá places his hat on Adela's head, and she joyously shouts los gritos.
Culture and tradition take center stage as Adela struggles to find her niche, always surrounded and supported by the warm circle of her family. Vega's punchy voice and Medina's lively digital illustrations combine for an affirming reminder that age and size needn't be a barrier to following a passion. Backmatter includes an author's note on Vega's family history of mariachi music and a shortlist of web resources for the intrigued reader.

Publishers Weekly

Adela loves everything about her family’s mariachi band (“how the music skips and bounces.... how her family dances and claps”)—except “the fact that she isn’t in it.” But her early attempts at playing various instruments and joining the dancers quickly reveal that becoming proficient will take a long time (“When Papá plays la trompeta, big, beautiful sounds burst out.... When Adela tries it, a small, fizzly sound dribbles out,” Vega writes). Frustrated with her attempts, Adela makes a drawing of beloved mariachi elements that presages her own participation. Rodriguez Medina’s warm-toned digital illustrations offer texture and depth to a story that conveys one child’s early attempts at being part of something she loves. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and sources conclude. Ages 4–7.

Children's Literature

This is a fun and colorful book about the art of mariachi music in Mexico. The pictures are very colorful pencil drawings that illustrate mariachi culture. This is written by Denise Vega whose father and grandfather were in a mariachi group. She grew up listening to them play this music. The book goes through many facets of playing in a mariachi band. Adela hears the trumpet play, the vihuela (Spanish string instrument similar to a guitar) sing, and the violin strings soar. She watches her mother and sisters dance to the music, their long colorful skirts twirling in the air. Written for young children, this is a great way to introduce the art form to them, and then pair it with a video of musicians and dancers playing and dancing to this music. Great book to use for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in September, and as part of a unit on Mexican culture any other time of the year as well.

English Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-444-7

Spanish Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-445-4

Ages: 4–7
Page count: 32
11 x 81/2

Publication date: August 13, 2024