  | When Julia danced bomba = Cuando Julia bailaba bomba Author: Ortiz, Raquel M. | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Young Julia struggles with the steps to the Afro-Puerto Rican dance known as bomba, but when she quits trying so hard and listens and feels the beat of the drums, she is able to relax, enjoy herself, and do the steps perfectly. In English and Spanish.
| Illustrator: | De Vita, Flor |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/15/19)
Booklist (10/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/01/2019 The theme of dance as a liberating force for self-expression is enhanced by cultural context in this picture book. Every week, Julia grudgingly heads to bomba class, a drum-centric Puerto Rican dance with African origins. While her brother Cheito excitedly joins the drummers, Julia is self-conscious about keeping up with the dancers. But when each student is asked to dance solo, Julia must tune in to the “Tan tantan TAN” and finally connect to the rhythm. Ortiz’s straightforward text taps into several relatable and authentic themes, including the pressure children can feel to embody all aspects of their cultural backgrounds, and dispelling the notion that all Latinxs are naturally rhythmically gifted. De Vita’s digital illustrations capture the multiplicity of the Puerto Rican community, from blonde cousin Carla to Cheito’s olive skin and curly hair. English and Spanish text are arranged alongside each other in this rare and much-needed quotidian representation of Afro-Latinxs. A wonderful pairing for titles depicting the intersectionality of Latinx heritage, like Margarita Engle's Drum Dream Girl (2015) and Eric Velasquez's Looking for Bongo (2016). - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
