Adela's Mariachi Band

June 24, 2024
Adela loves everything about her family’s mariachi band
(“how the music skips and bounces.... how her family dances and claps”)—except “the fact that she isn’t in it.” But her early attempts at playing various instruments and joining the dancers quickly reveal that becoming proficient will take a long time (“When Papá plays la trompeta, big, beautiful sounds burst out.... When Adela tries it, a small, fizzly sound dribbles out,” Vega writes). Frustrated with her attempts, Adela makes a drawing of beloved mariachi elements that presages her own participation. Rodriguez Medina’s warm-toned digital illustrations offer texture and depth to a story that conveys one child’s early attempts at being part of something she loves. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and sources conclude. Ages 4–7.

September 1, 2024
Adela loves mariachi music and her family's mariachi band. Her relatives all participate, either playing an instrument or dancing -- but not Adela. Her attempts to dance and to play la trompeta and la vihuela are frustrating, and she's too impatient to spend time learning. Vega takes readers through Adela's struggle, as she eventually finds her place in the band. Medina's illustrations teem with movement and color. The vibrant double-page spreads showcasing the various instruments are full of joy. Medina also leans into Adela's frustration and disappointment, and we feel her full emotive range. This book celebrates family, music, and finding one's place in a seemingly full space. An author's note provides information about mariachi history as well as some details about mariachi players in Vega's own family. Concurrently published in Spanish as Los mariachis de Adela. Yesica Hurd

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
Adela loves mariachi music and her family's mariachi band. Her relatives all participate, either playing an instrument or dancing -- but not Adela. Her attempts to dance and to play la trompeta and la vihuela are frustrating, and she's too impatient to spend time learning. Vega takes readers through Adela's struggle, as she eventually finds her place in the band. Medina's illustrations teem with movement and color. The vibrant double-page spreads showcasing the various instruments are full of joy. Medina also leans into Adela's frustration and disappointment, and we feel her full emotive range. This book celebrates family, music, and finding one's place in a seemingly full space. An author's note provides information about mariachi history as well as some details about mariachi players in Vega's own family. Concurrently published in Spanish as Los mariachis de Adela.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

February 7, 2025
Preschool-Grade 1 Editor's Note: The following review is for the Spanish language edition of this title: Los mariachis de Adela. By Denise Vega. Illus. by Erika Rodr�guez Medina. Tr. by Carlos E. Calvo. 2024. 32p. Charlesbridge, $17.99 (9781623544454).All Adela wants is to be part of the team, and rightfully so! She comes from a family of talented mariachi musicians and dancers, but she can't find where she fits best. She gives the trumpet a try, but the best sound she musters is "pffs." She tries the vihuela (a guitar-like instrument), but she only manages a scratchy sound that goes "iriiik." She tries doing a Mexican folk dance, but "splat!"--she lands on her face. Sweet Adela feels defeated until she gives one last thing a try: as the band approaches the end of their performance, she walks to the front of the stage and lets out a perfect grito, a distinctive, joyous Mexican yell. Lively Spanish text is joined with playful, expressive onomatopoeia, which is cleverly incorporated into the boldly colored, expressive artwork that evokes a warm, celebratory feel. This inviting story showcasing mariachi music and Mexican culture and emphasizing the triumph of finding one's own talent. -Vivian Alvarez

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