Description
A stirring picture book biography of one of Latin America's most beloved singers and human rights advocates, Mercedes Sosa.
Have you ever heard a song that made your heart soar?
A canción that captured your corazón?
A voice so powerful that it made you feel ready to change the world?
This is the story of a singer whose voice sailed through the air like the wings of a condor,
inspiring people everywhere.
Written and illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado, this is the powerful biography of Argentinean folksinger and human rights advocate Mercedes Sosa. Affectionately known as La Negra, Mercedes used her musical talents and powerful voice to speak out against poverty and inequality in her home country. In the face of a cruel dictatorship, Mercedes refused to be silenced. She bravely stepped on stage to lend a "voice to the voiceless" with uplifting songs of empathy and empowerment. Her unforgettable music and messages of hope continue to resonate with people across the world to this day.
Product Details
| Publisher | Children's Book Press (CA) |
| Publish Date | September 17, 2024 |
| Pages | 40 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9780892394708 |
| Dimensions | 11.2 X 8.9 X 0.4 inches | 1.1 pounds |
About the Author
Aixa Pérez-Prado is an author, an illustrator, and a university professor of linguistic and cultural studies. Originally from Buenos Aires, she crafts stories that explore intersectional identities, the need for belonging, and the richness of bilingualism. In her early years, Aixa found inspiration in the powerful voice of Mercedes Sosa and was drawn to the profound messages of social justice, human rights, and compassion in her music. These messages prompted her to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, exploring her own blended Indigenous and European heritage through the mediums of art, literature, and music. Aixa lives with her family in Miami, Florida. Learn more about her at aixaperezprado.com.
Reviews
"Accessible Spanish terms used within context pop up throughout the pages, enriching the text. . . . The illustrations add intensity, using rich hues, cutouts, and color overlays to enhance the drama of the action, punctuating the emotions beneath Sosa's lyrics and emphasizing the courage it took to sing those songs during the repressive regime. A fitting tribute to an exceptional woman." -- Booklist
"Pérez-Prado uses accessible, lyrical prose and includes difficult details about Sosa's life and the time period during which she performed. . . . Digital collage illustrations incorporate visual metaphors to emphasize Sosa's culture, including her Indigenous roots." -- The Horn Book
"Distilling Argentina's history into accessible text, the work ends on an uplifting note, discussing how the figure's 'songs of empathy and esperanza, fearlessness and fuerza helped the country begin to heal.'" -- Publishers Weekly
"The jewel-tone, digital collage illustrations are powerful, often alternating between one page to entire spreads with a compelling effect. . . A strong choice for many curricular tie-ins, such as women's, Latin American, Indigenous, and social studies. Purchase for picture book biography shelves." -- School Library Journal
Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Commended Title 2025 - Read Your World
RISE: A Feminist Book Project Booklist 2025 - American Library Association (ALA)
Rhode Island Latino Books Award Nominee 2026 - Rhode Island Latino Arts
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