Our Lady of Guadalupe by NM Author, Pat Mora

The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe Knopf Books for Young Readers, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher Available as an e-book: For Kindle For Nook Download a hi-res jpeg of the book jacket. Visit the press page for the media, reviewers and bloggers. La hermosa Señora: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Knopf Books for Young Readers/Dragonfly Books Available as an e-book: For Kindle For Nook Download a hi-res jpeg of the book jacket. A basket for Our Lady of Guadalupe seems a wonderful practice. You may prefer another spiritual power to whom you wish to entrust your prayers and hopes. Life is both joyful and hard. It's comforting to entrust our concerns to powers greater than ours.

A Prayer Basket Do you believe in the power of prayer? And do you have trouble at times remembering the people and issues you wish to pray for? I do. Some years back, my dear friend Father Murray Bodo who has given me many good ideas, suggested a prayer practice. In a basket, he puts slips of paper on which he has written the names of those he wants to pray for or for his current intentions. During his daily time for reflection, he can hold the basket rather than focusing on a memory exercise.

The Beautiful Lady "Our Lady of Guadalupe"

Pat Mora author, presenter, literacy advocate

Every December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers together to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road...

Highlighted Reviews

"The author pays loving tribute to Mexico’s Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the most noted appearance of the Virgin Mary in the Americas, framing this story with a family’s sharing traditions surrounding the celebration of her feast day, December 12. Grandma Lupita and her granddaughters create yellow, orange, and red paper roses and bake rose cookies to commemorate Our Lady’s appearance to a poor man in the hills near Mexico City in 1531. A jewel-toned palette presents both expressive faces and the warmth of Mexican mountain landscapes. The story moves with ease from full-page illustrations of a contemporary family to the narrated story; patterned frames surround scenes from the historical tale while a folk-art motif dances across the page under the text. An author’s note explains the history and tradition of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A respectful balance of religion, history, and faith that begins with a child’s questioning voice."—School Library Journal

Holiday Reading with Pat Mora

Stories and Poems for Thanksgiving Gracias~Thanks "A boy recounts the many things he is thankful for, like his time at the beach and the bees that don't sting him when he is outside playing. The poetic writing flows in both Spanish and English and carries a sense of happiness brought by the simple things in life...this delightful bilingual book has universal appeal."--School Library Journal   Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America's Sproutings "This concept book serves as a delicious introduction to 14 types of food, all of which have their origins in the Americas. Snippets of information and a haiku poem accompany each one, ranging from blueberry and chili pepper through papaya, prickly pear, and vanilla. Using English and a smattering of Spanish words, Mora crafts a playful introduction to each one."--School Library Journal Celebrate Christmas traditions The Gift of the Poinsettia/El regalo de la flor de nochebuena "This popular title introduces readers to Mexican traditions and inspires them to think about gift-giving in a different way. The authors take children through each of the days of the posada ("inn") celebration, in which celebrants take figurines representing the Virgin Mary and Joseph from one inn to another as they look for a place to rest. Carlos worries that he has no money to buy a special gift to offer the Christ child, but his grandmother urges him to pick a flower along the way. This humble flower blossoms into a glorious poinsettia on Christmas Eve. An enjoyable selection for readers of any age."—Criticás A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas "In trading a partridge for a piñata and intertwining English and Spanish, Mora has created not only a fun adaptation of a classic Christmas carol but also an introduction to many elements of holiday celebrations for families across the U.S. and Latin America...[the] paintings share a similar colorful and vibrant style as they integrate words, numbers, Spanish pronunciations, joy, and excitement throughout each full page spread."--Booklist December 12: Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe La hermosa Señora: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe "The author pays loving tribute to Mexico’s Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the most noted appearance of the Virgin Mary in the Americas, framing this story with a family’s sharing traditions surrounding the celebration of her feast day, December 12. Grandma Lupita and her granddaughter create yellow, orange, and red paper roses and bake rose cookies to commemorate Our Lady’s appearance to a poor man in the hills near Mexico City in 1531. A jewel-toned palette presents both expressive faces and the warmth of Mexican mountain landscapes.--School Library Journal January 6: Feast of the Three Kings, el Día de los Reyes Magos The Bakery Lady/La señora de la panadería "Mora has once again succeeded in writing a warm family story that includes information about Mexican traditions and celebrations while appealing to the common elements that link people across cultures."—School Library Journal   A Thanksgiving Message from Pat Holidays are a time for gratitude, friends, family--and good food! Thanks to each of you who creatively promotes bookjoy and Día throughout the year and who shares bookjoy with more and more children and families. Together, let's make Día a national tradition.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Later this week is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Visit our Pinterest board for many depictions from around the world.

http://www.pinterest.com/patmoraauthor/the-beautiful-lady-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

"The Beautiful Lady" Our Lady of Guadalupe by Pat Mora

http://www.patmora.com/beautiful-lady/

A year ago today, THE BEAUTIFUL LADY: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE was published in English and Spanish. How I love the illustrations by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher that depict the grand Mexican landscape and the quiet faith of Juan Diego, and how grateful I am to Knopf for publishing this legend. I hope that when you share this book, you’ll enjoy a conversation about the wonderful tradition of family story-telling. Grandma Lupita illustrates the pleasure she finds in the annual re-telling of a legend she loves. I grew up hearing this story and grew up with a dear aunt we called Lobo. She was our wolf-mother, and I can still hear her voice telling us stories in Spanish and English. My daughter Libby Martinez and I celebrate Lobo in our upcoming book I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE due out in April.
Whether the story-teller in your family is a grandparent, parent, aunt or uncle, during this holiday season, sit back and listen. I grew up with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in my home, school, and church. Her image comforts me. She reminds me that this complex universe can be a caring place. During this holiday season and the end of 2013, be part of the tradition of sharing stories with family and friends. Let’s follow Grandma Lupita’s example of sharing our beliefs and nurturing our young.
Savor the amazing images of Our Lady Guadalupe at the Pinterest board.