Most Popular Books by Carmen Tafolla

Carmen Tafolla’s New and Selected Poems continues TCU Press’s series of collections by the Poets Laureate of Texas. Named the first-ever Poet Laureate of San Antonio in 2012, Tafolla was named Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015. This collection displays her mastery of the art of bilingual code switching, mining the riches of two languages—Spanish and English—to produce works that celebrate the beauty and vigor of a Hispanic heritage that has enriched American culture for generations. Called “a world-class writer” by Alex Haley and a “pioneer of Chicana literature” by Ana Castillo, in 1999 Tafolla was presented with the Art of Peace Award for writings that contribute to “peace, justice, and human understanding.” Her works “thematically cross cultures and move into questions of human survival on this earth”—Dr. Wolfgang Karrer.

An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a girl who’s a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose what she celebrates in life Celina and her family follow both Mexican and United States traditions, and she revels in her Mexican American heritage. But at school it feels like the world wants to erase that part of her identity, as her name is repeatedly mispronounced, her people’s stories are left out of textbooks and lessons, and some classmates choose to treat her as a second-class citizen. Fortunately, she makes three wonderful friends who help her fight the ignorance. And her gramma, Celina’s biggest inspiration, shows her how to build a shield of joy around herself that can’t be pierced by defeat. Some days, though, it’s hard to find the joy—like when her dad’s deported or when a pandemic hits. Then Celina turns to her writing, which turns out to give a lot of people joy. And she determines that no matter what, she’ll always live up to her last name: Guerrera—woman warrior; and use her talents and courage to make the world a more beautiful place where all cultures are celebrated.

San Antonio poet laureate Carmen Tafolla captures her hometown--the city of her ancestors for the past three centuries--in poems that celebrate its history as a cosmopolitan multilingual cultural crossroads. Discover San Antonio''s corazón in Tafolla''s poetry, accompanied by historic and contemporary photographs that convey its enduring sense of place. A century ago, San Antonio gave Oscar Wilde "a thrill of strange pleasure." J. Frank Dobie claimed that "every Texan has two hometowns--his own and San Antonio," and Will Rogers declared it to be "one of the three unique cities of America." To Larry McMurtry, "San Antonio has kept an ambiance that all the rest of our cities lack." Carmen Tafolla calls forth the soul of this place--the holy home of the waters, called Yanaguana by los indios--and celebrates the many cultures that have made of it "un rebozo bordado de culturas y colores."

Where the paleta wagon rings its tinkly bell and carries a treasure of icy paletas in every color of the sarape . . . As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit-flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican-American children. Create a masterpiece, make tough choices (strawberry or coconut?), or cool off on a warm summer''s day--there''s so much to do with a paleta.

This major poetry collection is a fearless depiction of a Latina living in the best and worst of times.

A collection of short stories set in the Southwest.

This culinary history unwraps the extensive culture surrounding the tamale, bringing together writers, artists, journalists, and Texas'' regional leaders to honor this traditional Latin American dish. It is filled with family stories, recipes, and artwork, and also celebrates tamaladas--the large family gatherings where women prepare the tamales for the Christmas festivities. Humorous and colorful, this collection reveals the importance of community and good food.

Told in both Spanish and English, this story tells of a young coyote who teaches an old woman to recycle when her trash heap begins to clutter his desert.

A spunky, young Mexican American girl explains the many uses of her mother''s red rebozo, or long scarf.

La biografía de Emma Tenayuca, quien, en 1938, llevó a 12,000 trabajadores Mexico Americanos pobres a un paro para pedir mejores salarios y mejores condiciones de vivienda.

Featuring historic photos of the Chicano Movement in San Antonio and a new introduction, this is the 30th-anniversary edition of Carmen TafollaOCOs first solo poetry collection. Having filled a cultural and linguistic void in 1983, when it was first published, this compilation showcases the poet''s creation of a literary language from the natural Spanish and English code-switching of the barrios of San Antonio. Banned in Arizona along with many other multicultural books, this work celebrates bilingual and bicultural diversity and the power of individual imagination while simultaneously examining social inequities. Many poems from this book have been widely anthologized throughout the past three decades."

Una novela perspicaz escrita en verso sobre las alegrías y las dificultades de una niña chicana que es una guerrera por su nombre, su historia y su derecho a elegir lo que ella quiere celebrar de la vida. Celina y su familia son bilingües y siguen las tradiciones mexicanas y estadounidenses. Celina se maravilla con su herencia mexicana, pero una vez que comienza la escuela, siente que el mundo quiere que borre esa parte de su identidad. Afortunadamente, tiene un ejército de familiares y tres nuevos amigos fabulosos que la ayudarán a luchar contra la ignorancia. Pero su abuela, quien es su mayor inspiración, la anima a construir una barrera de alegría a su alrededor. Porque cuando estás de fiesta y alegre, cuando encuentras un motivo para cantar o bailar o pintar o jugar o reír o escribir, no te han quitado nada. Por supuesto, no es posible mantenerse en modo celebración cuando las cosas se ponen feas, como cuando deportan a su padre y llega una pandemia, pero si hay algo de lo que Celina está segura es que siempre estará a la altura de su apellido: Guerrera, y que usará su voz y su talento para escribir para mostrarle a todos que el mundo es un lugar más hermoso porque hay gente como ella en él.

A vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920''s, this book tells the true story of Emma Tenayuca. Emma learns to care deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were starving to death and working unreasonably long hours at slave wages in the city''s pecan-shelling factories. Through astute perception, caring, and personal action, Emma begins to get involved and eventually, at the age of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. Emma Tenayuca''s story serves as a model for young and old alike about courage, compassion, and the role everyone can play in making the world fairer. Una representación vívida de las injusticias con las que se encuentra una joven mexicano-americana en San Antonio en las décadas de 1920 y 1930, este libro cuenta la historia verdadera de Emma Tenayuca. Emma aprende a preocuparse por la pobreza y el hambre durante una época cuando muchos mexicano-americanos se morían de inanición y trabajaban horas excesivamente largas por sueldos exiguos en las fábricas de pacana. A través de percepción perspicaz, un buen corazón y acción personal, Emma empieza a involucrarse y al final, a los 21 años, lleva a 12.000 trabajadores a tomar acción por la primera vez en la historia de la lucha mexicano-americana por la justicia. El relato de Emma Tenayuca sirve de modelo para tanto los jóvenes como los adultos sobre el valor, la compasión y el papel que puede desempeña quienquiera en hacer más justo el mundo.

Celebrating both the rebozo as a cultural icon of Mexico and the series of rebozo-inspired paintings by Mexican–Californian artist Catalina Gárate, this bilingual collection of poems gives voices of strength, endurance, joy, and sorrow to the women of Gárate’s paintings. The rebozo is considered a physical manifestation of Mexican womanhood throughout every stage of life and can be used as a tool of daily labor: a sling to carry children, a shield from weather or from prying eyes, an heirloom, and even a shroud. Inspired by each painting, these poems, in both Spanish and English, are accompanied by a historical explanation of the role of the rebozo in Mexican history, art, and culture.

A baby coyote and an old woman become friends and work together on a recycling program to preserve the natural beauty of the desert.

Babies enjoy the colorful fiesta with singing, dancing, hugs, and kisses.