Letters in Charcoal
In the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia, hardly anybody knows how to read. Curious about the letters her older sister Gina receives from a young doctor each month—letters that she is sure contain promises of love—one young girl makes a decision that will change her life, and the lives of every child in the pueblo, forever.
With the help of Señor Velandia, the owner of the village shop, she will slowly unlock the letters of the alphabet and discover the magic of reading. And soon she will make a discovery that is more miraculous still—that letters are literally all around her.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-915244-51-2
|
$14.24 | |
|
978-1-915244-53-6
|
$23.99 |
| Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books |
| Category | Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Class, Diversity, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2023 |
| Publisher | Lantana Publishing |
| Imprint | Lantana Publishing |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Publication Date | 2023-09-05 |
Author: Irene Vasco
Irene Vasco is an award-winning Colombian author. She has devoted much of her life to training readers in remote regions of Colombia, and in 2021, she was recognized by the Colombian Ministry of Education for a lifetime of work devoted to education.
Illustrator: Juan Palomino
Juan Palomino is a Mexican artist and academic. Among his many awards are the fourth Iberoamerican Catalog of Illustration, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair International Illustration Award, and a Golden Apple from the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava.
Meet the Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Can we get a drumroll please? Allow us to introduce to you the next publisher in our excellent lineup of publishing partners – Lantana Publishing. Lantana is a UK-based publisher who tells under-represented and inclusive stories for all children. Check out the following interview with… View →
Awards
- The Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025 Nominee
- 2024 USBBY Outstanding International Book
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“[A] quietly empowering ode to literacy.”—The Horn Book Magazine
Kirkus Reviews
“Vasco’s narrative reminds readers that even in the face of lost connections, the joy of reading can light the way to a brighter future. A heartfelt tale that captures the transformative power of education.”—Kirkus Reviews
