CBR15Passport country
We know the story of a child of poverty making a name for themselves, but how many know the story of Mercedes Sosa? In the picture book by Melissa Fernandez Nitsche, Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America we learn about a young girl who would sing, and that singing would take her far. In fact, so far, she would become a symbol of triumph for her people. And in fact, so strong was her voice, she would be threatened, and finally exiled for several years because the government feared her. Taking the folk music and mixing her voice with the drums she used, Sosa became hope.
While there is much going on, the overall tone is a broader exploration of the character mentioned. The illustrations are delightfully bold and bright, realistic but have a hint of whimsy. They are cute and clever. I think they help take a bit of the serious and make it less intense, but still allow you to get a feel of what is happening.
Nitsche is a fellow Argentinean, and you can tell that they respect and are a fan of Sosa. This is a delightful introduction that is filled with facts and presented in a fun way. You can be a fan of women’s history, Latin American history, music, or music history, and enjoy. While aimed at an older (at least five and up) audience, the picture book format might turn some people off (I am assuming a traditional rectangle size as I read this book via an online reader copy).