Enhanced with bright and bold illustrations, a picture book provides readers with an intimate look at the childhood of this world famous salsa singer from Cuba and the early inspirations that helped her rags-to-riches dream come true. - (Baker & Taylor)

Offers a look at the childhood of this world-famous Cuban salsa singer, and the early inspirations that helped her rags-to-riches dream come true. - (Baker & Taylor)

Booklist Reviews

Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. In this picture-book biography, Chambers offers a brief, lyrical tribute to salsa superstar Celia Cruz. Short paragraphs follow the vocalist from her Havana childhood, where neighbors crowded the street to hear young Celia sing to her family, to her heartbreaking emigration from Cuba and worldwide stardom. Chambers writes in figurative language that, while adding a whimsical, fairy-tale quality to the story, may confuse younger children ("Celia would grow up to be a queen, but she was not born a princess"), and specific musical references, such as "Afro-Cuban rhythms," will likely be lost on youngsters. That said, Chambers' enthusiasm for her subject is contagious, and the bright, uncluttered paintings of rounded, stylized figures in saturated, tropical hues echo the energy in the words. With few books about Cruz available for this age group, this is a welcome addition to the biography shelves. An author's note, a discography, and a glossary of Spanish words used in the text are appended. Suggest this with Andrea Davis Pinkney's Ella Fitzgerald (2002) for another picture-book view of a legendary female vocalist. ((Reviewed May 15, 2005)) Copyright 2005 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Vibrant compositions in luscious tropical hues illustrate this picture-book biography of salsa legend Celia Cruz. Although the text succeeds in summarizing Cruz's life, the prose is verbose and unclear: "Her mother liked to tell the story of how a tourist bought Celia's first pair of shoes after hearing the little girl sing." Better to put on a recording and look at the pictures. Glos. Copyright 2006 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

This heartfelt biography celebrates the life of Cuban singer Celia Cruz from her childhood in Havana to her international fame as the Queen of Salsa. As a girl, Celia's voice enchanted neighbors when she sang lullabies to her younger siblings. In high school, she sang Afro-Cuban rhythms in local clubs. Her big break came in 1950 when she was hired as lead singer for Cuba's most popular band, La Sonora Matancera, and together they created a new style of Latin dance music. In 1960, Celia left Cuba forever for a singing career in Hollywood. Over the next 40 years she spread salsa music worldwide singing "sweet sugar" wherever she went. Text and illustrations highlight major events in Celia's life and effectively convey the theme of the little "songbird" who became the Salsa Queen. The vibrant acrylic and collage illustrations, with their sizzling colors, bold patterns and images of birds, music, flowers and sugar, work harmoniously with the text to create an inspired and inspiring introduction to a Latina idol. (author's note, glossary, selected discography) (Picture book. 7+) Copyright Kirkus 2005 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.

PW Annex Reviews

Chambers's (Marisol and Magdalena) poetic, at times theatrical, portrait of the famous salsa singer begins with Cruz's childhood in Havana. Neighbors gathered outside the open windows of her family home when she sang lullabies to her younger siblings ("Her voice, it was said, sent you not only to sleep, but to a nighttime land of angel dreams"). In high school, Cruz began singing at local clubs, concentrating on music that "blended traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms with the flavor and folklore of the tropics." Newcomer Maren paints a sinuous full-bleed portrait of Cruz's first big break in 1950, when she was hired as lead singer for a popular band; collage images of music notes bubble up from the brass section as the band, dressed in bolero jackets with yellow shirts, stand out against a teal background. Ten years later she left for Los Angeles and a permanent contract at the Hollywood Palladium; she became an American citizen and an internationally renowned salsa singer—but she could never return to Cuba ("It was a heartache she carried her whole life through"). Chambers's lyrical narrative intermittently sounds such melodramatic notes, as when Cruz meets Pedro Knight ("Celia knew... she had met an angel who would be her companion and protector in this land so far from home"). But perhaps that is fitting for the salsa queen. Maren's stylized acrylic and collage art amplifies the text's abundant rhythm. An affectionate tribute to a talented musician who made significant sacrifices to live her dream. Ages 7-up. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 2-4-This biographical tribute to an icon of Latina music evokes the talent, independence, and inner drive of a woman who helped develop a music style present in today's popular culture. A songbird of the Havana streets, the young Cruz charmed her neighbors with the passion and uniqueness of her voice, which incorporated the sounds of street vendors. "Her father heard thunder. Her cousins heard the call of the sea. Her neighbors heard a hummingbird." The text records her early life in an overcrowded household but also emphasizes her love for learning and her classical training, her devotion to her birth country, and her international fame. Full-page illustrations in bold jewel tones evoke the warmth and swirl of the salsa sound she created. An author's note summarizes Cruz's personal and professional life. Like the sweetness of her voice, this tribute is pure az£car. It fills a gap in materials for music teachers and is a solid addition for all libraries.-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 2–4—This picture book biography of the Cuban songstress pays tribute to the child from Havana who became salsa royalty. The lyrical text and lovely jewel-tone illustrations successfully portray the struggles and triumphs of the Afro-Latina. An excellent introduction to Celia Cruz and her music.