Isla - Paperback

by Arthur Dorros (Author), Elisa Kleven (Illustrator)

This soaring story takes readers on a fantastic journey set in the same world and warm relationship as Arthur Dorros's award-winning Abuela!

Rosalba is going on an imaginary journey to the Caribbean island where her grandmother grew up. Through her abuela's eyes and stories, Rosalba visits with relatives who still live on la isla and sees the beautiful terrain of the island--from the lush, tropical rain forest to the bustling old city. Along the way Rosalba and her grandmother visit a busy fruit market, then cool off with a swim in the turquoise sea filled with colorful fish. Their magical trip is brought to life by Elisa Kleven's shimmering collage artwork.

Also available in a Spanish-language edition (ISBN: 978-0-14-056541-6)

"Dorros's language is rich and magical--readers fly to la isla, too. Kleven's art is whimsical and quiltlike, crowded with sweet things and surprises."--School Library Journal

"Vivid illustrations with myriad details bring the tropical scenes to life, and the well-chosen Spanish words and phrases are easily understood. Glossary."--Horn Book

"The little girl and her grandmother, first seen flying over New York City in Abuela (1991), take off on another imaginary flight, this time to the Caribbean island where Abuela grew up. Isla is a tropical treasure."--Booklist

Notable Book, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council
Commended Book, Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs
Children's Book of the Year, Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Notable Children's Book, National Council of Teachers of English

Back Jacket

In the popular book, "Abuela", Rosalba and her grandmother took a fanciful flight high above New York City. Today Abuela is telling Rosalba all about the Caribbean island where she grew up. Together, they use their imaginations to fly through the sky on a magical journey to la isla. After listening to Abuela's vivid stories Rosalba can see the vibrant treasures of the island unfold right before her eyes.

Author Biography

Arthur Dorros (arthurdorros.com) has enjoyed words, pictures, and books for as long as he can remember. A photograph taken when he was one and a half years old shows him eating a few. Some of his later experiences led to his creating books. When he was four years old he sat on the tail of a ten-foot long alligator. Fortunately the alligator had been well fed. Out of that adventure grew one of his first published books, Alligator Shoes.

Since 1980, he has written and/or illustrated numerous popular titles about a broad variety of subjects from nonfiction, concept science books, to high-flying stories such as the award-winning Abuela. Before he started making books he did many things: he worked as a carpenter, teacher, farm worker, longshoreman, and photographer at various times. He loves to travel, learning about and meeting people, and discovering similarities and differences around the world. As a writer and illustrator he brings what he finds into his books. Mr. Dorros currently lives in Seattle, Washington, and enjoys visiting schools throughout the US and internationally to speak with students about telling their own stories.

In addition to the much-appreciated reactions of his readers, his works have been selected as Reading Rainbow Books, ALA Notable Book, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, NCSS Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies, Parent's Choice Award, Storytime Public TV Selection, and Booklist Editors' Choice, among other commendations.