Daniel's Ride / El Paseo de Daniel

by Michael Perry, Lee Ballard (Illustrator)

Overview

It's the first day of summer vacation, and young Daniel is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his big brother Hector and his custom '63 Impala Low Rider. Daniel and Hector cruise the boulevard, compete in a low rider hopping contest at the beach, and drive downtown to visit their artist cousin Diego as he paints an elaborate mural. Along the way, Daniel receives an unexpected gift from his big brother... the gift of determination. 2002 winner of the Latino Literary Hall of Fame Award. This bilingual edition has been re-designed with all text in both Spanish and English.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780867196412
Publisher:	Last Gasp of San Francisco
Publication date:	03/02/2006
Edition description:	Bilingual Edition: English & Spanish
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.25(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 10 Years

About the Author

Michael P is an acclaimed writer of children's fiction. His first book for young readers, Daniel's Ride, was awarded the 2002 Latino Literary Hall of Fame award for Best Children's Picture Book. His latest book, Turntable Timmy, has received international acclaim and was dubbed an instant Hip-hop classic by LAUNCH/Yahoo. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children.

Lee Ballard is a freelance artist whose cutting-edge illustrations are the essence of urban life. His work has been acquired by Hasbro, Rock Star Games, and Sega Japan and shown internationally. His work can also be seen in the full-length animated movie, Wave Twisters. In addition, Lee has taught still life and oil painting at the Academy of Arts College in SF, and Lucasarts Entertainment Company.

Editorial Reviews

This delightful tale of brotherly love is sure to capture the attention and emotion of ALL readers, young and old.

Marine Teacher Association

It's positive message and heartfelt warmth make Daniel's Ride a must read.

Epiphany Eagles

Perry has managed to write one of the most firme (powerful) books ever published.

Lowrider Magazine

Every boy looks up to his older brother, but not every big brother drives the coolest car in the neighborhood. In Daniel's Ride by San Francisco writer Michael Perry and illustrator Lee Ballard (Free Will; 32 pages; $16; ages 6- up), big brother Hector gives middle-school-age Daniel a ride in his "candy root beer brown" '63 Impala convertible "complete with spider hydraulics and gold wire wheels" and a license plate that says "2COOL." Daniel is thrilled to cruise around town making heads turn, then shocked when Hector offers him a deal: "You graduate from high school, with plans to go to college, and the car is yours." A glossary of Spanish words precedes the first page of this hip tale of fraternal motivation, and Spanish phrases keep the dialogue real. Ballard's paintings of intimate urban scenes in glowing sunset tones reflect the warmth of the story.

San Francisco Chronicle

Today my big brother, Hector, promised to take me cruisin' in his low rider," says Daniel, the narrator of this vibrant picture book. When Hector arrives, Daniel hops into the '63 Impala convertible, and the two take off through the streets, cruising the beach strip, blasting music, and turning the hydraulic switches so that the car becomes "a funky barrio carnival ride." After a stop to visit muralist cousin Diego, the ride is over, but Hector has another wonderful surprise: he promises that the Impala will be Daniel's if he finishes high school and plans to go to college. With its crackling dialogue and sound effects, the text has an energetic, optimistic momentum that's echoed in the unusual collage paintings. Readers will feel the charged thrill of the ride in the rich, deep, orange-and-green spreads, broad brushstrokes, and kinetic angles. A small introductory glossary defines the Latino words used in the story. A great choice for reading aloud or for urban kids to read alone.

Booklist

In Michael Perry's entertaining picturebook Daniel's Ride, it's the first day of summer vacation and young Daniel is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his big brother Hector and his custom '63 Impala Low Rider. The two bothers cruise the boulevard, compete in a low rider hopping context at the beach, and drive downtown to visit their artist cousin Diego as he paints an elaborate mural. It is during this wonderful day's journey that Daniel receives an unexpected gift from his big brother — determination. Lee Ballard's artwork is perfectly suited to Perry's entertaining story of two brothers, a car, and a beautiful sunny day.