NEWS Bollettino Highlights In Touch New on the Website Calendar Winners

Emmet Song of the Swallows Pedro Juanita Written and illustrated by Leo Politi J. Paul Getty Museum Publishers, 2009 There is good news for the fans of children's author and illustrator Leo Politi. The J. Paul Getty Museum has reissued four of Politi's most popular books and plans to re-publish more of them in future months. Leo Politi was born in Fresno, California in 1908, and spent several years of his childhood in Italy. When he returned to the United States, he resided on Olvera Street in Los Angeles where he wrote children's books about his own childhood experiences and from his observations of the Mexican-American community of his neighborhood. Politi is a Caldecott Medal recipient for Song of the Swallows. The J. Paul Getty Museum's reissue of Politi's most popular books, including Song of the Swallows, brings back titles that have been out of print for years. This allows Politi's fans and an entirely new generation of readers to enjoy the "the gentle humor and sense of magic that have made his books beloved by generations of readers in California and around the world." Linda Scambray, President of the Friends of the Politi Branch Library and an ICF member, believes the reissue of so many of Politi's books is a chance for local ICF branches to get Politi's titles into libraries, schools, and museums so that the legacy of this famous Italian-American author will not be forgotten. In fact, several branches have already purchased sets of Politi's books to donate to libraries. (Always willing to assist ICF branches, Linda can be reached at or 5771 N. First Street, Fresno, CA 93710 or 559-431-3110 or scam4@comcast.net.) Below I have provided a brief publisher's description of each of Politi's books reissued by the J. Paul Getty Museum. The books can be purchased through the museum at http://www.getty.edu/bookstore/ or by calling 800-223-3431. Emmet This delightful picture book tells the story of Emmet, one of the many stray dogs taken in by old Mr. Winkel-among them, Poupee, Oscar, and Puff. Emmet was always the troublemaker of the lot, escaping from Mr. Winkel's yard to chase the neighborhood cats and snatch toys from small children. He even refused to obey the grocer's sign that clearly said, "No dogs allowed"! Tired of putting up with Emmet's energetic pranks, Mr. Winkel's neighbors are ready to call the dogcatcher when the rascally dog saves the grocer's shop from a fire set by a prowler. As in all Leo Politi's books, Emmet's adventures are richly illustrated and humorously told-and as Emmet frolics across the pages, every reader, young or old, can recall their own pesky neighborhood dogs-and even the ones in their own backyard. Song of the Swallows Song of the Swallows, which won the Caldecott Medal was first published in 1948. It tells the famous story of the yearly return of the swallows to the Mission San Juan Capistrano through the eyes of a small child, Julian, the bell ringer of the Mission, tells Juan, a young boy who also lives at the Mission, the story of the swallows and how-without anyone really knowing why or how-they return each year from their winter home in South America to San Juan Capistrano in California. Thrilled by the story, Juan makes his own small garden in the hope that at least one family of swallows will nest there when they return. This delightful book also includes the music and lyrics for "La Golondrina," a song about the swallows that Politi composed himself, and Spanish phrases are sprinkled throughout the story. This book provides a delightful introduction for young children to California's centuries-old Latino heritage and Mission culture. Pedro This Caldecott Honor book is set on Olvera Street, the site of Los Angeles' original Latino settlement, which is still preserved very much as it once was-a busy and colorful mélange of small artisan shops, restaurants, and strolling musicians. Pedro tells of the community's Christmas tradition of the "posada," a procession that reenacts Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage to Bethlehem, and of the "piñata," a papier-mâché vessel filled with toys that children break open at the Posada's end. Pedro hopes to find a music box among the toys that will spill out of the piñata. But first, he is asked to don the red wings of an angel and lead the procession. Because he not only is costumed like an angel but also sings like one, he is asked to lead the chorus in the traditional Posada song. Juanita Originally published in 1948 and the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, Juanita captures the atmosphere of Olvera Street, the historic Latino community in downtown Los Angeles. Juanita's parents own a small shop, or puesto, which they have named after her, and one very much like those that line Olvera Street to this day. They sell brightly colored baskets, dresses, and fine lacework-all handmade. For her fourth birthday, Juanita is dressed in a beautiful rose-colored gown and is given a white dove. On the day before Easter, Juanita takes her dove to the Old Mission Church for the annual Blessing of the Animals, along with Señora Carmela, who brings her burro, and Carlos, the leader of the procession, who brings his cow decked out in gardenias! Leo Politi's picture books, beautifully illustrated and filled with magical stories, are the perfect Christmas gift for children, but even more importantly, they are books that deserve to be in our local libraries and schools. Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE