¡Viva Valenzuela! (Spanish)

¡Viva Valenzuela! (Spanish)

La Fernandomanía se apodera de Los Ángeles

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ISBN: 9781662681363

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Conozcan a Fernando Valenzuela, el lanzador de los Dodgers que se convirtió en un símbolo del orgullo mexicano, en este libro de béisbol en español para niños de 7 a 10 años.

Meet LA Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, the rookie who became a symbol of Mexican American pride, in this Spanish-language baseball book for kids ages 7-10.

Fernando Valenzuela era un adolescente cuando llegó a Estados Unidos desde México para jugar con los Dodgers de Los Ángeles. En los años 80, la población mexicoestadounidense de Los Ángeles rara vez seguía el béisbol. Pero cuando Fernando ganó sus primeros ocho juegos como abridor novato, despertó en ellos un amor por el béisbol. ¡Fernando se convirtió en una estrella internacional! Y a los aficionados, la llegada de Fernando les dio algo más: un héroe de los suyos.

La periodista deportiva Nathalie Alonso se une al ilustrador mexicoestadounidense John Parra para celebrar a este legendario jugador, conocido por su estilo de lanzar único.

Fernando Valenzuela was just barely out of his teens when he came to the United States from Mexico to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the 1980s, Mexican Americans rarely followed baseball. But when Fernando pitched eight winning games, he inspired them to love baseball. Fernando became an international star! And the fans gained something too: a hero they could call their own.

Baseball reporter Nathalie Alonso joins Mexican American illustrator John Parra to celebrate this sensational player who was known for his signature pitching style.

Book Details

Format: Hardcover
Price: 25.99 CAD / 19.99 USD
Published: 03/24/2026
ISBN: 9781662681363
Imprint:
Page Count: 40
Trim Size: 9 x 10
Grades:
Ages:

★ “Lavish, visually rich illustrations by Parra are done in a folk style with flat colors and figures that appear almost like cutouts... beautifully presented, written with deep admiration; recommended for elementary libraries, ­especially where baseball is popular.”—School Library Journal, starred review

"Siebert Honor Book author Alonso highlights not only Valenzuela's impressive career but the positive impact he had on Latino Angelenos, who loved seeing a Mexican player who felt like one of them. Illustrated with Parra's bright, blocky artwork, the book focuses mainly on Valenzuela’s rookie year and fittingly concludes with a World Series Game against the Yankees. An informative, visually engaging picture book for baseball fans."Booklist

“...this book is a grand slam for young baseball fans. Parra’s acrylic illustrations have a retro Americana feel, using muted, dusty pastels balanced with a few bold, primary-adjacent accents, giving them a sun-faded warmth that complements Fernando’s inspirational journey. A well-pitched celebration of talent, perseverance, and the power of representation.”—Kirkus Reviews