Marvelous Maravilloso - by Carrie Lara (Hardcover)

About the Book

Presented from the point of view of a young interracial child, this sweet, simple story discusses the colors of the world and the colors of the people in a family--all of whom make the world beautiful and unique. Full color. 1/4.

Book Synopsis

Second Place Winner for Best Educational Children's Picture Book in the 2019 International Latino Book Awards
NCSS-CBC 2019 Notable Social Science Trade Book for Young People
2018 National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA)

Marvelous Maravilloso follows a young girl as she finds joy in the colors of the world all around her, including those of her interracial family.

The world is full of different colors . . . hundreds of colors, everywhere.
People are different colors too. Our colors make us beautiful and unique.
Mommy says it is part of our culture and the big word diversity--diversidad.

Marvelous Maravilloso follows a young girl as she finds joy in the colors of the world all around her. Her vantage point is particularly special as she comes from a bi-cultural family, and is able to appreciate the differences between her parents, as well as her own unique and beautiful color. As she is coming into her own identity and exploring what this means for her, she comes to appreciate how all families are uniquely beautiful.

Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers about celebrating the different kinds of people and families there are in the world.

Review Quotes

Second Place Winner for Best Educational Children's Picture Book in the 2019 International Latino Book Awards

NCSS-CBC 2019 Notable Social Science Trade Book for Young People

2018 National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA)

"Short, easy to read, poetic sentences accompany marvelous illustrations that cover every part of the pages. The topic of diversity and differences in skin color is touched upon with elegance and care, and one particular illustration, which depicts flowers in black-and-white, illustrates how without colors, everything (and everyone) would look the same....A wonderful choice for introducing the beauty of diversity to young children, perfect for read-alouds, and recommended for all children's picture book collections." --School Library Journal

"A wonderfully presented picture book story from the point of view of a young interracial child about what color means within the dynamics of race, ethnicity, and culture." --Midwest Book Review

"I absolutely fell in love with the simple and beautiful way that readers are introduced to different cultures and skin colors. There is a sprinkle of Spanish words throughout the story which allows readers to get a glimpse of the Spanish culture. The authors note in the back of the book discusses the importance of teaching children about culture and about celebrating the different kinds of people and families there are in the world. A must read for all classroom and home libraries." --picturebooks4learning

About the Author

Carrie Lara, PsyD, has been working with children in various community mental health settings since 2005. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology through Alliant International University of San Francisco in 2009. Her specializations are working with children and families, child and human development, foster and adoptive youth, learning disabilities and special education, attachment based play therapy, and trauma. Marvelous Maravilloso is her first children's book. She lives in California.

Christine Battuz was born in France and currently residing in Bromont, Quebec, Canada. She studied in Italy and received her Masters of Fine Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts of Perugia. She has illustrated over sixty children books, including Marvelous Maravilloso, My Sister Beth's Pink Birthday, and Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs. Her work appears in educational books, magazines, toys and toys packaging. She teaches art to adults and children of all ages.