Rosita and the Night of the Radishes($12.99Value)

Description

Young Rosita competes in Oaxaca, Mexico's radish carving contest which is held every December 23rd. She hopes to win first prize and use the money to help her family's failing farm. From Midwest Book Review: At The Night of the Radishes celebration something miraculous happens to Rosita's radish carvings. Manning's enchanting fantasy about a gifted young girl introduces readers to this delightful yet little known Mexican tradition. The history of The Night of the Radishes contest and the Spanish glossary at the end make this book a valuable addition to multicultural and bilingual classroom studies. Manning's radiant watercolor illustrations portray the vivacious Mexican culture. A bonus gallery containing 45 photos of elaborate radish carvings brings to life this unusual festival. "Rosita and the Night of the Radishes" weaves magical realism and culture into an engaging fable about the power of imagination. Dorothy Thurgood Manning was first introduced to Mexico as a teen volunteering with the international health organization Amigos de las Americas.  She later lived in Mexico City as a Fulbright Scholar.  Ms. Manning developed a love for the country, its people and customs.  Upon returning home to the United States, she taught art to the children of Mexican immigrants in the public schools of Napa, Oakland, and Berkeley, California.  Ms. Manning married a Mexican-American and is bringing her children up biculturally and bilingually.  She now spends a part of each year living with her family in Guanajuato, Mexico.