I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes - by Karol Hernández (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A joyful and rhyming picture book showcases a colorful South American bus, the collective spirit of its people, and the vibrant power of community when trouble comes"--

Book Synopsis

For fans of The Little Blue Truck, Red Truck and The Little Engine That Could, a rhyming ode to a colorful South American bus and the collective spirit of its people.

This joyful and rhyming picture book written by a debut author and illustrated by the beloved creator of Nightlights and Hicotea, follows the iconic bus, or chiva, as it navigates the rugged Andes mountains, celebrating the rich culture and landscape of Colombia that was so beautifully showcased in Disney's Encanto.

Review Quotes

Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library Best Books of the Year

★ "[A] charming debut picture book . . . Each colorful spread is met with four lines of sweet rhymes. Kids will enjoy looking at all the details in the vibrant illustrations . . . A bright and welcoming addition to books about vehicles, with a huge bonus of centering contemporary Colombian culture." --School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Alvarez Gómez makes superb use of color: the lush greens of the surrounding country, punctuated by pops of red, orange, and purple; rich earth tones for the buildings in the square; and, of course, La Chiva, a veritable rainbow. Interspersed with Spanish, the rhyming verse bounces along as energetically as the titular bus . . . A delightful journey; readers will be eager for repeat trips." --Kirkus, starred review

★ "[A]n exuberant debut . . . . Written in bouyant rhyming quatrains . . . . Crisp rhymes in English and Spanish offer the feel of a bus bustling with animals and people, while Gómez's digitally finished sketches contribute layered and saturated images of flora and fauna." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This picture book is a great read-along and even contains a short glossary in the back, in case readers are not familiar with some of the terms for foods or other regional words. This book has been translated into Spanish and adapted in rhyme, making it a delight in both languages." --Booklist

About the Author

Karol Hernández was born and raised in Colombia. She currently lives in Florida with her husband, three kids, two dogs, and a fish. https: //karolitadotcom.wordpress.com/

Lorena Alvarez Gómez is a comic artist and illustrator who loves to work with color and experiment with diverse techniques. She is the author and illustrator of Nightlights and Hicotea and she has also made illustrations for independent publications, advertising and fashion magazines. Lorena works from her home studio in Bogotá, Colombia, surrounded by music and loved ones. She loves to paint, take care of her dog and read comic books. Visit her at http: //www.lorenaalvarez.com/ and on instagram at @artichoke_kid.