Eric Velasquez – författare

How does a bear go to the ballet? A polar bear escapes into New York City in this heartfelt picture book from award-winning Afro-Latino artist Eric Velasquez.A wordless story of unlikely friendship that celebrates art and its ability to connect us. However, this picture book also opens a conversation about alienation and empathy. Who is kept out of the theater? How can we welcome them in? A deeply personal story, author Eric Valqueuez sees himself in this tale.When dancers have a photoshoot at the Central Park Zoo, a young, African American ballerina and a polar bear form a special friendship. When his new friend leaves her scarf behind, the polar bear must venture through Central Park and out into Manhattan to return it before her performance at the Lincoln Center.However, the theater goers eye the strange bear with suspicion. When the ushers won’t let him inside, the ballerina comes to his rescue and welcomes him in. The polar bear has dreamed of seeing the ballet, and now he gets to be a part of it in the most surprising way.The wordless narrative is told through expressive and detailed oil paintings. On the endpapers, readers learn more about these loveable characters with illustrations of zoo signage about polar bears and a magazine article about the young ballerina.Eric Velasquez, author-illustrator of Bank Street Best Book of the Year Octopus Stew, brings a dream-like magic to this tale of empathy and kindred spirits.A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children’s Book of the Year

What do you do when an octopus captures Grandma? Put on your superhero cape and rescue her! Award-winning Afro-Latino artist Eric Velasquez's delightfully meta story is now in Spanish. A Bank Street Best Children’s Picture Book of the Year in Spanish!The octopus Grandma is cooking has grown to titanic proportions. "¡Tenga cuidado!" Ramsey shouts. "Be careful!" But it's too late. The octopus traps Grandma! Ramsey must use both art and intellect to free his beloved abuela. Then the story takes a surprising twist. And it can be read two ways. Open the fold-out pages to find Ramsey telling a story to his family. Keep the pages folded, and Ramsey's octopus adventure is real.This beautifully illustrated picture book, drawn from the author's childhood memories, celebrates creativity, heroism, family, grandmothers, grandsons, Puerto Rican food, Latinx culture and more.With an author's note and the Velasquez family recipe for Octopus Stew! A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the YearUna selección del Junior Library Guild

Where could Bongo be? Help a young boy find his beloved toy—and figure out how it got lost to begin with.  Eric Velasquez's cozy and playful story is now available in Spanish.The boy knows Bongo was right there with him this morning. But now, Bongo is missing. He asks his whole family if they've seen the stuffed toy.  "Yo no sé," says his abuela. "I don't know."  Mamá and papá haven't seen him either. And Gato just meows and runs away.  When he finds Bongo, the boy is thrilled—but he still doesn't understand how his toy ended up there. So that night, he sets a trap to catch the Bongo thief. . . . Eric Velasquez's detailed, expressive illustrations follow the boy's investigation throughout his home, giving readers a glimpse of a warm, multi-generational familia Afro-Latina.

A wise man named Brulla Robertsonce said. "Drummer man''s magicdoesn''t come from the drum. Themagic comes from the drummer man."Undoubtedly true, but, as six-year-oldDavid knows only too well, withoutthat drum there is no drummer man! Ever since he can remember. David''s"felt the itch in his fingers and therhythm in his wrists." He''s tried keepingtime with anything and everything ,including spoons. knives. and shoes.To Mom''s dismay, he''s even taken apartthe legs of a kitchen chair! One Sunday morning. Mom and Dadpresent him with a real drum andsticks. As Dad says, "Now you don''thave to break the furniture." Racingacross town to join Brulla''s marchingband, David drums his heart out. Andwhen a few short hours later thatdrum tears, so does David''s heart. A touching memoir of jazz drummer,David "Panama" Francis. this glowinglyillustrated picture book will inspire andcaptivate young musicians as well asany child with a dream. Luminous oilpaintings enhance the gentle story andfurther reveal the magic of music andthe joy it gave to one "drummer man"from old Miami.

Coretta Scott King and John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Eric Velasquez shines in the perfect picture book to read with grandparents. Every summer, Eric goes to live with his grandmother in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem) while his parents work. Through the long hot days, Grandma fills her apartment with the blaring horns and conga drums of Bomba y Plena, salsa, and merengue-the music she grew up with in Puerto Rico-sharing her memories and passions with Eric. But Eric sees Grandma in a new light when she gets them tickets to hear their favorite band in concert. The music sounds so different than it does at home on their scratchy records. And then the lead singer serenades Grandma right in front of the whole audience! Join Eric Velasquez on a magical journey through time and across cultures, as a young boy''s passion for music and art is forged by a powerful bond between generations.

Coretta Scott King and John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Eric Velasquez shines in the perfect picture book to read with grandparents. Every summer, Eric goes to live with his grandmother in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem) while his parents work. Through the long hot days, Grandma fills her apartment with the blaring horns and conga drums of Bomba y Plena, salsa, and merengue-the music she grew up with in Puerto Rico-sharing her memories and passions with Eric. But Eric sees Grandma in a new light when she gets them tickets to hear their favorite band in concert. The music sounds so different than it does at home on their scratchy records. And then the lead singer serenades Grandma right in front of the whole audience! Join Eric Velasquez on a magical journey through time and across cultures, as a young boy''s passion for music and art is forged by a powerful bond between generations.