This week, as part of our Art of Read Every Day campaign, we're highlighting the work of children's book illustrator Yuyi Morales!
Since emigrating to the USA in 1994, Yuyi Morales has created some of the most celebrated Latino works for children’s books, including Just a Minute and Just in Case, both winners of the Pura Belpré Medal. Yuyi says she “strives to capture the beauty of the everyday forms.” In her artwork for our Read Every Day campaign, she celebrates her Mexican heritage by illustrating our mission in Spanish: "Lee Todos Los Dias, Vive Mejor."
In her interview for this project, Morales says she discovered the existence of the public library shortly after arriving in the U.S. She fell in love with the children's book section in particular, where she could "learn anything I wanted to learn...from making puppets to baskets to handmade paper." Morales devoured books from the public library, which helped her discover she wanted to be an artist, and helped her hone her craft.
Visit our Art of Read Every Day collection to view Morales's artwork and you'll also discover free companion resources for classroom, which includes:
- An interview with Yuyi Morales, where she discusses her first impressions of the United States, her early love of libraries, and the story behind her artwork for this project.
- A video of Morales reading aloud from Niño Wrestles the World (this is a MUST-WATCH if only for the voices Morales uses for each of the characters!)
- Common Core-ready discussion guides (best for grades K–2, 3–5)
Enjoy!
Original artwork by Yuyi Morales.
