Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla distributes the determination, culture, and joys that encompassed Selena Quintanilla’s life and career. Written by Diana López and illustrated by Teresa Martinez, this is a fantastic picture book that carries out Selena’s beautiful and longstanding dedication to gift fans with her music, fashion, and heritage. This picture book is also available in Spanish as Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla.
Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia
Born in Lake Jacksonville, Texas, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Mexican-American singer, fashion designer, and businesswoman who grew up with a hard-working family, that instilled in her a love for music and a pride of her Mexican-American roots. In her story, Selena started chanting at a very young age—her father discovered her gifted singing pipes when she was just six years old.
Illustrator Teresa Martinez created a visibly representative and appealing narrative of Selena discovering her special singing voice at home rehearsals, Papagayos restaurant, and big venues that eventually helped her gain worldwide recognition and awards. Readers will be able to take in all the culturally symbolic illustrated details in the book’s captivating double-page spreads such as the papel picado and the magnificently made book case. Moreover, Spanish words, like “dejame volar” and “baila” are gracefully layered in the artwork as Selena’s narrative transitions to her teenage years, when she begins to sing at weddings, quinceañeras, and more.
Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia
Author Diana López wonderfully transports readers to Selena’s well-meaning effort to learn Spanish, as Selena realizes that this is the one major way she would be able to connect with her existing and soon-to-be audiences. Additionally, López doesn’t veer off from acknowledging the first “no’s” Selena received when she began paving her way into Tejano music, which seamlessly serves as an important example of real-life to youngsters—if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Selena demonstrated how hard work pays off as she continued to learn Spanish and to make room for herself in the male-dominated world of Tejano music.
While readers—both young and old—turn the pages, they may find themselves inspired by Selena’s tenacity, courage, and willingness to become better than she already was at what she did, particularly with singing. Selena’s undeniable passion for design and fashion can also teach young readers that it is possible to have more than one career path if you work diligently enough to make it happen.
Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia
López’s and Martinez’s children’s book is a fantastic addition for classrooms and libraries, with many inspirational moments from Selena’s life that can further motivate students to keep going forward in their aspiring career path. The lustrous use of colors across the page, from the beautiful blues of her room; the eye-catching peaches of concert banners; and, symbolic white roses, are sure to captivate readers into studying each illustrated detail.
Not only is this heart-warming picture book a unique addition to classrooms and libraries, it is also a jewel for families and friends who continue to celebrate Selena Quintanilla’s music by singing and dancing to it. Selena’s constant inclusion of her Latin roots in her music, fashion, and dancing will continue to resonate with old and new audiences from all corners of the world. Like the lyrics of a composition, this story is a ballad to Selena Quintanilla through words on a page.
For more updates on their latest works, follow author Diana López and illustrator Teresa Martinez on:
Twitter: @dianalopezbooks, @teresamtz
Instagram: @dianalopezbooks
Website: http://www.dianalopezbooks.com/ , https://www.behance.net/teresamtz
Remember to use the hashtag #SingWithMe and/or #SelenaQuintanillaPictureBook!
Yvonne Tapia is a Mexican-American professional from East Harlem, New York. She earned a BA in Media Studies and Psychology from Hunter College. Additionally, she has worked in the educational and media fields through various outlets. With a long-term enthusiasm for children’s media, she has been involved at Housing Works Bookstore and Latinx in Publishing. She currently works on the Marketing and Publicity team at Levine Querido. Yvonne is excited about the power of storytelling, and to engage content awareness in underrepresented communities.
