Magic Windows

Garza, C.L. (1999). Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press. 

In this book, Garza shows us papel picado (cut-paper art) is like magic window.  This type of art has a long history in Mexico.  She learned it as a young child.  Through her art, she explores her family culture, holidays like Dia de los Muertos,  beliefs and traditions in her community, and ancestors. Garza shows the Mexican culture through the art she learned to make.  She continues to teach this form of art to the younger generations.  This is a picture book autobiography that used design, accuracy, and style.  She has lived the Mexican tradition and experienced them personally.  The design of the art work of papel picado (cut-out paper art) exhibits her own artful appearance as an artist. The pictures invite and communicate what the Garza is trying to portray about her life.   The style text the author used in this book is English and Spanish.  She expresses herself beautifully through this book.  You can teach a social studies lesson on family cultural and traditions.  You can have students compare and contrast it to their own family culture and traditions.