Pedro the Angle!!!

1947 Caldecott Honor: Pedro The Angel of Olvera Street

By Leo Politi

This is the first time we see this illustrator but we are about to see a whole lot more from him!

Leo Politi (1908–1996) was an Italian-American artist and author who wrote and illustrated some 20 children's books, as well as Bunker Hill, Los Angeles (1964), intended for adults. His works often celebrated cultural diversity, and many were published in both English and Spanish.

In 1931, Politi, at the age of 22, left Italy for California. Passing through the Panama Canal he discovered the exotic beauty of Central America. He sketched the things that he saw and small stories began to bubble up within him.

He was attracted to the Mayan culture of the region and developed a palette that served as his core of colors throughout the 1930s and '40s. Politi later wrote of his technique: “(I) developed an ochre yellow, burnt sienna and a number of brown tints symbolic of the warmth and earthy qualities of the life and vegetation of the tropical Central American jungle. I also used a lively blue-green symbolic of the water, sky and in small spots for precious stones used then in their ornaments as jade – all elements inherent to the Maya civilization.”

Artist Buckley Mac-Gurrin, an art critic for the literary film magazine Script published by writer and artist Rob Wagner, wrote in a cover story of Politi in 1940 that “Leo became proficient in the use of many media – oil, watercolor, wood-carving, wood engraving, lithography, book illustration; he had a very fine artistic education. His training was modern as opposed to academic; it tended to develop originality rather than subservient to the art forms of bygone eras. His own artistic philosophy drew him toward the genuine and the earthy; toward people whose contact with the soil was still fresh, intimate, satisfying.”

Politi arrived in Los Angeles, California, in October 1931 and two years later he married Helen Fontes.

Olvera Street

Politi began sketching and painting from a regular spot on Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, where he sketched tourists and sold drawings alongside potters, weavers and other artisans-in-residence. Politi’s affection for the Mexican-Americans and their folkways was genuine; an affinity. Most especially, as a devout Catholic, at home with Italian saints, he responded to Mexican ritual. Children — natural, spontaneous children — he loved without reserve or distinction. Drawing Mexican children, for magazines and books, gave him an American career and a professional identity. He painted a mural on Olvera Street "The Blessing of the Animals", where he depicted a tradition of Catholicism in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. In the mural, men, women and children are walking their animals to get blessed.

During the 1930s he worked in oils, watercolors and wood sculptures. His best work was probably gouache on paper with variations of the theme of mother and child. He also focused on Mexican pueblo scenes, religious ceremonies and customs, dancers and mischievous children. His palette was generally the same: ochre yellow, burnt sienna and brown tints that to him defined the Mayan civilization.

The above Bio is from Wikipedia.

Book Summary

Pedro, a young Mexican boy is eagerly getting ready to celebrate Christmas on Olvera Street!  Pedro is known for his singing voice, it sounds like an angel.  Pedro is then asked to be the lead of the Posada (possession). 

Illustrations

There is a lot to learn about the illustrations in the above bio from Wikipedia.  We learn that Mr. Politi really enjoyed the Mexican Cultural and was immersed in it while creating the illustrations for this book.  It shows! 
The illustrations vary in color, some of them are simple brown and white tons, while others are full colors!  I love it!  Turning each page is like a little surprise.  I also really enjoy how Mr. Politi was able to capture how busy this street was.  There are little side stories happening all over the illustrations.  We see people all over and they are all doing very different things!  Children are the main focus on the story and I was delighted with the illustrators version of this famous street at a very special time of the year!

Final Thoughts:

1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? Not sure, it is dated but darling!

2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? If you are a fan of Mexico and Christmas this is the book for you!

3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? If I found a copy I would purchase it.

4. Where did I get the book? Pacific Lutheran University, WA

Want more?  Here you go!

http://www.leopoliti2008centennial.org/

http://ecollections.lib.csufresno.edu/arne_nixon/collections/politi.php

http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/talk_to_the_snail/2008/01/27/bunker-hill-by-leo-politi-exhibit/