My Name is Gabito (English)

February 1, 2008
This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the creativity of Gabriel Garc-a Mrquez and asserts that what he saw and heard as a boy became part of the books he wrote as an adult. The vivid, lyrical text introduces the boy as Gabito, who views the world as a magical place and, though he sees the poverty in his Colombian town, also imagines a world full of wonders and tells his tales to others. The book concludes that he grew up to be a great storyteller. Colns artwork interprets the story with verve. Glowing with rich, subtle colors on rounded forms, the illustrations recreate real and imagined scenes with equal conviction. An appended note provides more information about the life and achievements of Mrquez. Like Browns earlier picture books about Celia Cruz, My Name Is Celia/Me llamo Celia (2004) and My Name Is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela (2005), a story about Gabriela Mistral, this is available in a bilingual edition (not seen): My Name Is Gabito/Me llamo Gabito (0873589084).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)