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Digging for Words

José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built

Author Angela Burke Kunkel

Illustrated by Paola Escobar

Hardcover

$18.99 US

RH Childrens Books | Random House Studio

9.31"W x 11.25"H x 0.41"D | 15 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Sep 08, 2020 | 40 Pages | 9781984892638

Age 4-8 years

Reading Level: Lexile AD730L | Fountas & Pinnell N

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A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays-- that's the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he's been collecting books--thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones-- to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.

Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words, an ALA Notable Book and Kirkus Best Book of the Year. It also received the Americas Award and the International Latino Book Award for best English language title. She is also the author Make Way, which has received two starred reviews, and Penguin Journey, called "stunning" in a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. View titles by Angela Burke Kunkel

Paola Escobar is a a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia.

As a child she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother about their family and culture and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s books.

She is the illustrator of the award-winning picture book Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré as well as many other critically-acclaimed picture books. She has worked with publishers across the world and is proud to have illustrated stories that celebrate cultural diversity and champion unsung heroes.

Paola lives very happily in Bogotá, Colombia, with her husband and their dog, Flora. View titles by Paola Escobar

NOMINEE | 2022
Oklahoma Book Award
SELECTION | 2021
Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
SELECTION | 2021
Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
LONGLIST | 2021
ALSC Notable Children's Books
SELECTION | 2020
Chicago Public Library Best Books

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An American Library Association Notable Book
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2020
A Junior Library Guild Selection

"The inspiring story of a man who believes in the power of books and the importance of community." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“An inviting and generous story that will be a pleasure to read aloud.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

"This amiable picture book offers children glimpses of Colombia as well as a role model who values books and enjoys sharing them with others…. Simultaneously published in a Spanish edition, Rescatando Palabras." —Booklist

Classroom Activities for Digging for Words

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

Creators

Awards

NOMINEE | 2022
Oklahoma Book Award
SELECTION | 2021
Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
SELECTION | 2021
Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
LONGLIST | 2021
ALSC Notable Children's Books
SELECTION | 2020
Chicago Public Library Best Books