A new children’s book series recently launched that celebrates the lives and careers of famous Latines who have made a major impact on American culture and who serve as inspiration for future generations.
Published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, the Hispanic Star biography series kicked off on Tuesday (September 6) with the release of its first two books on Celia Cruz and Roberto Clemente in both English and Spanish.
Written by Claudia Romo Edelman and William Alexander and illustrated by Alexandra Beguez, Hispanic Star: Celia Cruz tells the story of a young singer from Havana, Cuba, who would grow up to become the Queen of Salsa, and an entertainer who performed for six decades and recorded more than 70 albums.
“Her soulful voice, compelling charm, and unstoppable determination led to her meteoric rise to fame, opening the door for Latinx performers everywhere,” a press release reads. “Celia’s influence still has an undeniable hold on today’s music.”
The book Hispanic Star: Roberto Clemente was written by Claudia Romo Edelman and Sara Echenique and illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez. It follows Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente, who grew up in Loíza, Puerto Rico, where playing baseball on the streets led him to 18 seasons in the Major Leagues. Clemente was the first player from the Caribbean and Latin America to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“Clemente’s legacy as a two-time World Series champion paved the way for generations of Latinx athletes to live out their biggest dreams on and off the field,” a press release reads.
More books in the series will be published next year, including ones on LGBTQ activist Sylvia Rivera, singer and actress Selena Gomez, NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.