XAVIER GARZA COUNTS LUCHADORES!
by Xavier Garza
BEDTIME! Time to wrestle, time to count!
“Stop jumping on the
bed!” Nikko’s mother yells. But it’s not Nikko who’s jumping on the bed, as he
tries to tell his mother! It’s the luchadores who are causing the ruckus. He
invites her to come and see as he counts out their increasing numbers. She’s
only interested in him going to bed. But he can’t sleep until he wins the
victory and is declared, without question, the Great and Mighty Nikko!
Cinco Puntos Press asked
Xavier—“The Great and Mighty Nikko is a very
different counting book. What inspired you to write a Lucha Libre counting
book?”
“one evening I walked in on my son jumping on his bed as he played with
his action figures. His bed was completely covered with his figurines of masked
heroes and villains. Suddenly, I was remembering my own childhood growing up in
Rio Grande City of the Texas-Mexico Border. Like my son, I loved jumping on the
bed and playing make believe fights with my own action figures. Of course, the
fate of the world depended on how each and every battle would turn out. Would
the villains win? Or would it be me, the Great Xavier, who would save the world
at the very last second?! Seeing my son triggered that memory, and that—coupled
with my love of the masked heroes and villains of lucha libre—was the
inspiration that led to The Great and Mighty Nikko.”
XAVIER GARZA is a South Texas legend,
but now his legend grows throughout the whole country, especially after
receiving much critical claim and an ALA Pura Belpre Honor Book designation for
his chapter book, Maximillian and the
Secret of the Guardian Angel. Young boys, of course, love his lucha libre
illustrated and chapters books for kids. A working public school teacher,
Xavier continues being prolific author, artist and storyteller in schools and
public events. His work is a lively documentation of the dreams, superstitions,
and heroes in the bigger-than-life world of South Texas, and he especially
enjoys sharing his stories with kids around the country. He lives with his wife
and son in San Antonio, Texas.
THE GREAT AND MIGHTY
NIKKO
978-1-935955-84-9,
ebook, $7.95
from your favorite e-tailer!
from your favorite e-tailer!
¡MORE XAVIER GARZA
BILINGUAL LUCHA LIBRE BOOKS
FROM CINCO PUNTOS PRESS!
✪
2011 Pura Belpré Honor Award ✪
“With its quick pace, humor, and endearing characters, this title...is
sure to turn more kids into lucha libre fans.” — Booklist
“This action packed bilingual mystery novel uses playful language that
reinforces elements of Mexican-American culture and overflows with almost
unbridled excitement for lucha wrestling.” — The
Pura Belpré Committee
“Garza has done it again...a unique middle grade novel that pays homage to the Mexican tradition of masked wrestlers...Garza and Cinco Puntos Press have really outdone themselves ,,,”
— All Brown All Around
“Garza has done it again...a unique middle grade novel that pays homage to the Mexican tradition of masked wrestlers...Garza and Cinco Puntos Press have really outdone themselves ,,,”
— All Brown All Around
“Short chapters and the bilingual format (English
text is on the left with Spanish translation on facing pages) make this book a
quick read, great for reluctant readers. Readers who enjoyed the first title
will be pleased to continue reading about Max and his family.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This bilingual sequel to Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel (Cinco Puntos,
2011) avoids formulaic trappings and can be readily enjoyed as a stand-alone
novel while artfully setting up the next installment...Garza employs plenty of
humor and a first-person voice that rings true to Maximilian’s character. The
story includes enough action to satisfy most fans while broadening its focus to
reflect the increasing complexities in the boy’s life...an outstanding choice.”
— School Library Journal
Paper and cloth available!
“The fluid colloquial English and Spanish and
grainy graphic-novel style illustrations executed in acrylics make for an
attractive package with definite appeal for boys. This title is sure to become
popular.”
— Críticas, STARRED REVIEW
“Recommended! Children familiar with the sport will
welcome the vibrant visual paean, while fans of wrestling, comic-book superheroes,
and all things pugilistic will wonder where lucha libre has been all their
lives.”
— The
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Paper and cloth available!
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