Zapata – The bilingual children’s book An Angel from Above ~ Un ángel desde arriba by Zapata author Dr. María Alma González Pérez and illustrator Pat González has received a coveted Purple Dragonfly book award for excellence in children’s literature.
The book is based on a true story recounting the miracle of birth after tragedy and loss through angels as metaphors. Though it introduces the topic of death, it also implies that to every ending, there is always a new beginning – possibly through the presence of angels in our lives. The book received an Honorable Mention commendation in the Spiritual / Religious category.
The work is a special project because proceeds from the sale go exclusively toward the college fund of childhood cancer survivor Jamie Ann Paredes of San Ygnacio, a Zapata High School graduate who is currently studying nursing at Laredo College. Paredes said that she wants to help children in hospitals as nurses helped her with the health challenges she has faced throughout her life.
Artist Patricia González has dedicated most of her drawings and paintings to her community along the Texas-Mexico border. She feels An Angel from Above / Un ángel desde arriba fell into her hands as a calling and graciously donated her artwork to this worthy cause. It is her belief that we are all born with a custodial angel who guides us through life.
“We’re very happy about receiving this award because it recognizes excellence in children’s literature written in English. However, our book is written bilingually, because I believe language should not be a problem. Instead, it should be a choice for children to read in whatever language they are most proficient,” said author Pérez.
“Winning any place in the Purple Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a First or Second place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explained Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters, LLC, sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”
An Angel from Above / Un ángel desde arriba (ISBN: 978-0982242230) is available for $10 through the Del Alma Publications website at www.delalmapublications.com or by calling 956-278-0760. Bulk orders and teacher packs are also available.
About Del Alma Publications, LLC: Del Alma Publications, LLC is a Latina-owned business that was founded to address the growing biliteracy challenges of the Hispanic learner in the United States. Its mission is to produce culturally relevant books and teaching materials for children, young adults, and educators of bilingual, bicultural educational settings.
