Books with author Carmen Lomas Garza

Following the best-selling Family Pictures, In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's continuing tribute to the family and community that shaped her childhood and her life. Lomas Garza's vibrant paintings and warm personal stories depict memories of growing up in the traditional Mexican-American community of her hometown of Kingsville, Texas.

Author Carmen Lomas Garza is a pioneer in popularizing the traditional Mexican craft of papel picado in the United States and developing it into a sophisticated art form. This workbook shows children and their families how to create these beautiful papel picado designs and banners by simply folding and cutting tissue paper. Children will learn how to craft eight different traditional designs, including The Four Cardinal Points, a design reminiscent of the four points of a compass; Tiles, echoing the colorful hand-painted tiles that decorate many Mexican buildings; and The Fan, one of the artist's favorite designs, consisting of leaves, hummingbirds, and flowers.

In her eagerly-awaited second book for children, In My Family/En mi familia, internationally-renowned artist Carmen Lomas Garza takes us once again to her hometown of Kingsville, Texas, near the border with Mexico. Through vibrant paintings and warm personal stories, Carmen brings to life more loving memories of growing up in a traditional Mexican American community: eatingempanadas, witnessing the blessing on her cousin's wedding day, and dancing to theconjuntoband at the neighborhood restaurant."

Through the magic windows of her cut-paper art (papel picado), Carmen Lomas Garza reveals her family, her life as an artist, and the legends of her Aztec past. Readers catch a glimpse of the hummingbirds that carry the souls of ancestors and persist in crossing the Mexican-American border to taste the sweet nectar of the cactus flowers; they look into Garza's studio and see her paint a Mexican jarabe tapatio dancer; and they watch her teach her nieces and nephews how to make their own magic windows in this fascinating exploration of Mexican family life, community, and history.

Following the best-selling Family Pictures, In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's continuing tribute to the family and community that shaped her childhood and her life. Lomas Garza's vibrant paintings and warm personal stories depict memories of growing up in the traditional Mexican-American community of her hometown of Kingsville, Texas.