Module 5: Magic Windows

Book Cover:

Summary:  The picture book written and illustrated by artist, Carmen Lomas Garza, offers the artist’s explanation of many pieces of her artwork, which is traditional Mexican cut-paper art.  The text is written in both Spanish and English, but the illustrations speak for themselves.  Her illustrations and description of them give the reader a glimpse into Garza’s life and Mexican culture, past and present.

APA Reference: 

Garza, C.L. (1999). Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

Impressions:  The magical illustrations are the author’s cut-paper art, which seem to help tell their own story.  The author/artist describes her cut paper or papel picado magic windows because when “look[ing] through them, you can see into another world” (Garza, 1999, 2).  I really enjoyed both her illustrations and her text that keep the reader’s interest with the bright colors, contrast, and fascinating stories Garza shares about her life and Mexican culture.  I actually do feel like I learned much about daily life in Garza’s memories of Mexico and her heritage.

Professional Review:

 “Working in the Mexican folk art tradition of papel picado (cut-paper art), Lomas Garza creates magic windows through which she invites the audience to look at the world of her family, Southwestern community, and Mexican heritage. Designed like stained glass windows, these vibrantly outlined pieces, which show homey scenes as well as elements of the natural world, hold the eye with their entrancing play between positive and negative spaces. In bilingual narration (the Spanish translation by Francisco X. Alarcon), Lomas Garza tells personal stories and explains the cultural history explored in each cut-paper piece.”

Magic windows: ventanas magicas. (1999, May 01). Retrieved from                                            http://www.booklistonline.com/Magic-Windows-Ventanas-Magicas-Carmen-Lomas-          Garza/pid=879979

Library Use:   I could see this book featured during Hispanic Heritage month and also during the Day of the Dead.  A workshop or craft time could be offered introducing cut paper art.  Children of all ages could participate and their work could be displayed throughout the library.