The heartwarming story of a boy and the song that gives him courage when he needs it most, by Pura Belpré Honor winner Carlos Aponte

When a hurricane hits Puerto Rico, it comes in howling like a wolf and leaves a trail of destruction in Pedrito's neighborhood. He and his big brother, Juan, head out to help in the cleanup and are thrilled when they are able to save a dog trapped in storm wreckage. Pedrito loves having the dog for a companion, so is heartbroken when she runs away, even though he’s happy to see her reunited with her owner. But now Pedrito is doubly sad, as he misses both the dog and his dad, who's working in the US and hoping to reunite the family there someday. To cheer Pedrito up, Juan plays a moving song on his guitar--"Preciosa"--a song about beautiful Puerto Rico; and the whole neighborhood joins in! Over the next several months, as the island begins to rebuild and recover, Pedrito discovers the true meaning of Preciosa--and when he is gifted with a puppy, he knows the perfect name for her. And later, when his family is finally able to join his dad in the states, Pedrito feels lucky knowing he’ll always have a little bit of Puerto Rico with him.
© Alexi Lubomirski
Carlos Aponte is an artist, designer, and author originally from Puerto Rico. His fashion illustrations, inspired by the great Antonio Lopez and Jack Potter, have been featured in Laird Borelli's Fashion Illustration Next, Bil Donovan’s Advanced Fashion Drawing, Tony Glenville's The New Icons of Fashion Illustration, and Richard Kilroy's Menswear Illustration. Gallery shows include exhibits at The Brooklyn Library, Gallery Hanahou, The Society of Illustrators, and Three Square Studio, among others. He is represented by Art Department where clients include The New Yorker, Coca-Cola, Target, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Elle, and Esquire. In 2013, he created Boquitas, an interactive book for children. 

Carlos is currently a faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He lives in Jersey City with his partner, Christopher, and a French pointer named Rex. View titles by Carlos Aponte
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About

The heartwarming story of a boy and the song that gives him courage when he needs it most, by Pura Belpré Honor winner Carlos Aponte

When a hurricane hits Puerto Rico, it comes in howling like a wolf and leaves a trail of destruction in Pedrito's neighborhood. He and his big brother, Juan, head out to help in the cleanup and are thrilled when they are able to save a dog trapped in storm wreckage. Pedrito loves having the dog for a companion, so is heartbroken when she runs away, even though he’s happy to see her reunited with her owner. But now Pedrito is doubly sad, as he misses both the dog and his dad, who's working in the US and hoping to reunite the family there someday. To cheer Pedrito up, Juan plays a moving song on his guitar--"Preciosa"--a song about beautiful Puerto Rico; and the whole neighborhood joins in! Over the next several months, as the island begins to rebuild and recover, Pedrito discovers the true meaning of Preciosa--and when he is gifted with a puppy, he knows the perfect name for her. And later, when his family is finally able to join his dad in the states, Pedrito feels lucky knowing he’ll always have a little bit of Puerto Rico with him.

Author

© Alexi Lubomirski
Carlos Aponte is an artist, designer, and author originally from Puerto Rico. His fashion illustrations, inspired by the great Antonio Lopez and Jack Potter, have been featured in Laird Borelli's Fashion Illustration Next, Bil Donovan’s Advanced Fashion Drawing, Tony Glenville's The New Icons of Fashion Illustration, and Richard Kilroy's Menswear Illustration. Gallery shows include exhibits at The Brooklyn Library, Gallery Hanahou, The Society of Illustrators, and Three Square Studio, among others. He is represented by Art Department where clients include The New Yorker, Coca-Cola, Target, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Elle, and Esquire. In 2013, he created Boquitas, an interactive book for children. 

Carlos is currently a faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He lives in Jersey City with his partner, Christopher, and a French pointer named Rex. View titles by Carlos Aponte

Photos

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