Authors on the Airwaves: Amy Costales
Costales chosen as January's "Author of the Month" on KUHF Houston Public Radio
KUHF radio host Eric Ladau recently interviewed Amy Costales for its Web site's "Arte Público Press Author of the Month" feature, and along with the
transcript, their conversation is available to listeners on the station's interactive
site through on-demand audio screening here.
Click here to see all Arte Público authors featured on KUHF.
AMY COSTALES is the author of five bilingual picture books for children: Abuelo vivía solo / Grandpa Used to Live Alone (Piñata Books, 2010), Sundays on Fourth Street / Los domingos on la calle Cuatro (Piñata Books, 2009), Abuelita Full of Life / Abuelita llena de vida (Luna Rising, 2007), Hello Night / Hola noche (Luna Rising, 2007), winner of the International Latino Book Award, and Lupe Vargas and Her Super Best Friend / Lupe Vargas y su super major amiga (Luna Rising, 2006). She has taught Spanish all over the world and currently lives with her family in Eugene, Oregon.
About Abuelo vivía solo / Grandpa Used to Live Alone:
Grandpa used to live alone in a quiet pink house. But when his granddaughter was born, everything changed. While she was a little girl and her mother went to school late in the evening, Grandpa made rice pudding. She would play with the measuring cups and eat raisins while he prepared their bedtime snack and told her stories. Then he would carry her upstairs to her crib and tuck her in. He would rock in the chair by her crib until she went to sleep.
As the years pass, she grew and grew. Grandpa took down her crib and bought her a bed. He taught her how to make rice pudding and play catch. And while she was growing, Grandpa was growing older too. Until all too soon, she was the one making the rice pudding and helping her grandfather up the stairs to bed.
Amy Costales’ heart-warming text, accompanied by Esperanza Gama’s soothing illustrations, lovingly depicts the relationship between a child and a central figure in her life—her grandfather.
About Sundays on Fourth Street / Los domingos en la calle Cuatro:
Sundays spent on Fourth Street are magical, family outings that three young cousins eagerly anticipate. Strolling down Fourth Street with their parents, the children encounter a bustling wonderland filled with music, food, and fun.
The cousins savor sharp bursts of flavor from mangos on a stick covered with lemon, chili and salt; delight in the sight of folk dancers spinning in the plaza; revel in rides and raffles at the church carnival; and yearn for clothes and toys they see in shop windows. While the children may not get the things that so often catch their attention, they can always look forward to more fun together next Sunday on Fourth Street.
Based on real-life visits to Fourth Street in Santa Ana, California, author Amy Costales has written a story that pays homage to a special street and—more importantly—time spent with loved ones. Paired with Elaine Jerome’s colorful illustrations that depict lively street scenes, readers of all ages will enjoy Sundays on Fourth Street.
