Review and Giveaway: The Mirabal Sisters by Raynelda A. Calderon Illustrated by Maria Ocampo

 

 

Join Us for this Tour:  March 1 to March 21, 2022

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Mirabal Sisters: From Caterpillars to Butterflies by Raynelda A. Calderon
Category:  Children's Non-Fiction (Ages 8-12​)
Genre:  Children's Book
Publisher:  Cayena Press, Inc., 48 pages
Release date:   March 2022
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for all readers.

 

 

 

Book Description:
​

​Born in a small town in the Dominican Republic, the Mirabal sisters lived at a time when the country was under the merciless rule of a dictatorship. Their deaths on November 25, 1960 (at ages 36, 34, and 25), have received international coverage. In their honor, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed annually on November 25.

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My Thoughts:

The Mirabel Sisters is a very easy to read history picture book and one that if I was a child again, would have fascinated me, but also would have made me sad. Their story is about a close-knit family of sisters, their gifts, talents, and love for family and country. Unfortunately, they lived in a time of a dictator who did not care so much about his people, only himself and his power and keeping it.

As the sisters grow up in their county of the Dominican Republic, they all marry and have children. They are mothers and wives living lives like the rest of us. Until Minerva decides to stand up and speaks against the dictator ruler. This leads to a series of events where she and her husband and two of her sisters and their husbands are imprisoned for a time. This leaves sister Dede holding down the fort with their mother in caring for all of the children.

Then one night the unthinkable happens and this family's life are changed forever. This was a sad change but shows how one family's sacrifice can lead to change for a whole country.

The illustrations were lovely and complimented the story being told. I liked the focus on family, the sisters were beautifully close. I enjoyed learning a history lesson I was not aware of before and this has opened my curiosity to look more into this family. This would be a great educational book for kids to learn about heroes from other countries.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Meet the Author:

​Raynelda A. Calderón, a Dominican native who lives in Queens, NY, is a children’s book author who has worked in public libraries for more than 15 years. She holds a doctorate in leadership in higher education, and she has taught Information Literacy at various colleges, most recently at Bronx Community College. As a librarian, working with children inspires Raynelda to write about the accomplishments of Hispanic women in history. She hopes to inspire young readers to follow their passions and never take no for an answer. Raynelda is the creator of the first Hispanic Heritage wall calendar that honors the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans in the United States. She lives with an untamed Shih Tzu, Toby, and a much attached Chihuahua, Maya. She spends her free time thinking (and drafting) about books to write, or painting, crocheting, or crying over abused dogs.

​connect with the author: author's website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads​ 

 

Tour Schedule:

Mar 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
Mar 1 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 1 - Kam's Place – book spotlight
Mar 2 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Mar 2 - Lynchburg Reads – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 3 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Mar 3 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / guest post / giveaway  
Mar 3 - Deborah-Zenha Adams - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Mar 7 – Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
Mar 8 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 9 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Mar 10 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Mar 11 – Westveil Publishing – book spotlight /guest post / giveaway
Mar 14 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Mar 15 – bujos_n_books – book review / giveaway
Mar 16 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Mar 17 – @twilight_reader – book review
Mar 18 – Lamon Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Mar 21 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway

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The Mirabal Sisters: From Caterpillars to Butterflies Book Tour Giveaway