Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo - (Pura Belpre Honor Books - Illustration Honor) by Monica Brown (Hardcover)

About the Book

The award-winning duo of author Brown and artist Lopez hit all the right beats in this vibrant bilingual picture-book biography that portrays the musical and cultural phenomenon of Tito Puente, Mambo King! Full color.

Book Synopsis

In this vibrant bilingual picture book biography of musician Tito Puente, readers will dance along to the beat of the mambo king's life.

Tito Puente loved banging pots and pans as a child, but what he really dreamed of was having his own band one day. From Spanish Harlem to the Grammy Awards--and all the beats in between--this is the true life story of a boy whose passion for music turned him into the "King of Mambo."

Award-winning author-illustrator duo Monica Brown and Rafael López bring the remarkable story of this talented legend to life in this Pura Belpré Honor Book.

From the Back Cover

Meet Tito Puente--the King of Mambo.

Tum Tica!

From musical prodigy on the streets of Harlem to five-time Grammy Award winner, Tito's life was full of rhythm. Drums and claves, saxophones and tambourines were all part of the fun.

Tac Tic!

Monica Brown and Rafael López, the award-winning creators of the Pura Belpré Honor Book my name is celia/me llamo celia, team up once again for another spectacular collaboration in this upbeat tribute to a musical legend.

Tum Tic!

Tom Tom!

Conoce a Tito Puente, el Rey del Mambo.

¡Tum Tica!

De prodigio musical en las calles de Harlem a ganador de cinco premios Grammy, la vida de Tito fue muy rítmica. Tambores y claves, saxófonos y panderetas siempre formaron parte de la diversión.

¡Tac Tic!

Monica Brown y Rafael López, los creadores del libro my name is celia/me llamo celia, el cual fue galardonado con el Honor Pura Belpré, se reúnen una vez más para crear otra colaboración espectacular en este alegre homenaje a una leyenda musical.

¡Tum Tic!

¡Tom Tom!

Review Quotes

"My father was an inspiration to many generations of Latin music fans worldwide. This book is a testament to that. Now his name and likeness will reach a brand new group of young fans who will discover his genius and talent." -- Tito Puente Jr.

"Brown and Lopez collaborate in this energetic bilingual tribute to salsa drummer and band leader extraordinaire. Lopez's pictures convey salsa's rhythmic exuberance via a riotous palette. A vibrant, reverent celebration of the godfather of salsa." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Irresistible. The vibrant imagery hums right off the page, full of high-contrast color and energetic composition, and decorated with swirling, starry embellishments." -- Horn Book Magazine

"Brown's bilingual text echoes the rhythms of salsa, mambo, and jazz .Lopez's sizzling acrylics are anything but flat." -- Publishers Weekly

"Like so many of Brown's biographies, Tito's story introduces readers to a vibrant Latino figure. Award-winning illustrator López brings Tito's story to life in vibrant acrylic salsa reds and oranges, which are splashed behind every shake of Tito's hips and wink of his eyes." -- ALA Booklist