A playful picture-book biography in Spanish of Juan García Esquivel, musical innovator and the father of space-age, bachelor-pad lounge music.
A self-taught Mexican composer, arranger, bandleader, and pianist, Juan García Esquivel was a pioneer in the use of stereo sound in the 1950s and 1960s. Juan's music is quirky, fun, and truly out of this world, with unusual instrumentation and unorthodox vocal textures and effects. Juan was a true musical innovator, using sound and stereo as his musical palette.
SELECTION
| 2025 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
Susan Wood, formerly writing as Susan VanHecke, is the author of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers (ALA Notable Children's Book) and Under the Freedom Tree, as well as several books for adults.
Pura Belpré winner Duncan Tonatiuh is a Mexican American illustrator and an author in his own right. He graduated from Parsons School of Design and his style is inspired by ancient Mexican art, especially the Mixtec codex. www.duncantonatiuh.com
A playful picture-book biography in Spanish of Juan García Esquivel, musical innovator and the father of space-age, bachelor-pad lounge music.
A self-taught Mexican composer, arranger, bandleader, and pianist, Juan García Esquivel was a pioneer in the use of stereo sound in the 1950s and 1960s. Juan's music is quirky, fun, and truly out of this world, with unusual instrumentation and unorthodox vocal textures and effects. Juan was a true musical innovator, using sound and stereo as his musical palette.
Awards
SELECTION
| 2025 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
Author
Susan Wood, formerly writing as Susan VanHecke, is the author of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers (ALA Notable Children's Book) and Under the Freedom Tree, as well as several books for adults.
Pura Belpré winner Duncan Tonatiuh is a Mexican American illustrator and an author in his own right. He graduated from Parsons School of Design and his style is inspired by ancient Mexican art, especially the Mixtec codex. www.duncantonatiuh.com
