This is the story of my mother and her friend Juan, of how she discovered books and he the light of day.
So begins Clara and the Man With Books in His Window. In this beautifully illustrated book, set in rural 1920s Argentina, Hans Christian Andersen Awardwinning author Mara Teresa Andruetto shares the true story of how her mother, Clara, the daughter of a poor laundress, meets Juan, a wealthy and bookish recluse who never leaves his house because he is afraid society will not accept who he really is.
A powerful tale about friendship and about the world available to us when we open a book, but also when we have the courage to be our true selves, Clara and the Man With Books in His Window was selected by the ALIJA and the Fundacin Cuatro Gatos as the best book of the year. Now available for the first time in English, it is destined to transfix readers young and old.
"Beautifully illustrated, Clara and the Man With Books in His Window is based on the true story of the author’s mother, her friend Juan, set in rural 1920s Argentina, each discovering friendship, books and courage."
—Books to Borrow, Books to Buy
"Together, author and artist provide a galvanizing reminder that books are conveyers of immense knowledge, exhilarating enjoyment, and audacious empathy… a gorgeously inspiring story about books and connection.”
—Shelf Awareness
"Artistic and thought-provoking ... will incite important conversations about friendship, acceptance, and bravery… unique artwork… a strong addition to an elementary school or public library collection. Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes"
—Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review
“Beautifully illustrated...An impressively powerful and emotionally engaging picture book story for young readers about friendship and about the world available to us when we open a book, there is also an important underlying theme about having the courage to be our true selves….especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for young readers ages 5-8.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Unique … artistic and thought-provoking, this book is one that will encourage reflection … celebrates the power that friendship has to open up the world in more ways than one.”
—School Library Journal, STARRED review
Mara Teresa Andruetto is a Hans Christian Andersen winner and one of the most important figures in Latin American children's literature. She co-founded CEDILIJ, where she worked for a decade as part of the teaching and executive team. She is married and has two daughters. She currently lives in the mountains of Crdoba surrounded by nature.
Martina Trach is an Argentine illustrator, muralist, and compulsive maker of drawings. She has illustrated a number of books, some of them non-fiction. One of her books, Puberty in Motion, was selected for the White Ravens a list of the world's best books organised by the International Youth Library.
Elisa Amado is an award-winning translator who lives in Toronto.
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