Join Cynthia Weill for Read Out Loud as she reads her new picture book, OPUESTOS, which teaches kids about opposites in English and Spanish. This special book is illustrated using whimsical, little, carved, wooden animals from Oaxaca in Mexico. After she reads the book, Cynthia shares more about these beautiful, hand-painted pieces of Mexican folk art and their makers.

OPUESTOS: MEXICAN FOLK ART OPPOSITES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

ABOUT THE BOOK



“It’s hard to take one’s eyes off this book, the wood sculptures are so appealing, so re-readings are probable.”

—Chicago Tribune

Cynthia Weill’s book of Mexican folk art teaches kids about opposites in Spanish and English! These whimsical little animals from Oaxaca, carved and painted by hand, make learning about opposites fun. Up and down, tall and short, left and right — all inside a beautiful book.

Brothers Martín and Quirino, along with other family members, carved these figures from the wood of the flowering jacaranda tree. All are farmers but supplement their income carving these beautiful creatures in the little mountain town of La Union Tejalapam, Oaxaca.

“Direct and charming.”

— Publishers Weekly

“This second work by the author of ABeCedarios follows its predecessor’s highly praised concept and design.”

— Kirkus







Watch CYNTHIA WEILL Read Out Loud HERE



ABOUT CYNTHIA WEILL

My books use folk arts from around the world to illustrate basic concepts for children. The current series employs handicrafts commissioned from artisans in Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico to teach children the alphabet, opposites, colors, numbers, jobs and animal sounds in Spanish and English.

It takes two to four years to create all of the artwork. Each piece is hand made by artisanal families living in rural areas of the country. Because I end up spending so much time with the families, I’m invited to my fair share of weddings, baptisms, quinceañeras and other events. We get to know each other really well! The pieces are so unique that they are part of the permanent MesoAmerican collection at the Field Museum of Chicago.

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