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Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel
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Digging for Words

José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built

José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built

José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

By Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar

Best Seller
Hardcover $18.99

Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892638 | 4-8 years

Hardcover $21.99

Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892645 | 4-8 years

Ebook $6.99

Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892652 | 4-8 years

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    Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel
    Hardcover $18.99
    Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892638

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    • Hardcover $18.99

      Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892638 | 4-8 years

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    • Hardcover $21.99

      Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892645 | 4-8 years

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    • Ebook

      Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9781984892652 | 4-8 years

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    About Digging for Words

    A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

    In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays– that’s the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he’s been collecting books–thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones– to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

    With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.

    About Digging for Words

    A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

    In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays– that’s the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he’s been collecting books–thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones– to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

    With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.

    About Digging for Words

    A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

    In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays– that’s the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he’s been collecting books–thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones– to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

    With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.

    About Angela Burke Kunkel

    Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words, an ALA Notable Book and Kirkus Best Book of the Year. It also received the Americas Award and the International Latino Book Award for best English language title. She is also the… More about Angela Burke Kunkel

    About Paola Escobar

    Paola Escobar is a a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia.   As a child she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother about their family and culture and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s… More about Paola Escobar

    About Angela Burke Kunkel

    Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words, an ALA Notable Book and Kirkus Best Book of the Year. It also received the Americas Award and the International Latino Book Award for best English language title. She is also the… More about Angela Burke Kunkel

    About Paola Escobar

    Paola Escobar is a a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia.   As a child she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother about their family and culture and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s… More about Paola Escobar

    About Angela Burke Kunkel

    Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words, an ALA Notable Book and Kirkus Best Book of the Year. It also received the Americas Award and the International Latino Book Award for best English language title. She is also the… More about Angela Burke Kunkel

    About Paola Escobar

    Paola Escobar is a a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia.   As a child she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother about their family and culture and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s… More about Paola Escobar

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Picture Books

    Hardcover | $18.99
    Published by Random House Studio
    Sep 08, 2020 | 40 Pages | 9 x 11 | 4-8 years | ISBN 9781984892638

    Category: Children’s Picture Books

    Hardcover | $21.99
    Published by Random House Studio
    Sep 08, 2020 | 40 Pages | 9 x 11 | 4-8 years | ISBN 9781984892645

    Category: Children’s Picture Books

    Ebook | $6.99
    Published by Random House Studio
    Sep 08, 2020 | 40 Pages | 4-8 years | ISBN 9781984892652

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    Praise

    An American Library Association Notable Book
    A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2020
    A Junior Library Guild Selection

    “The inspiring story of a man who believes in the power of books and the importance of community.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

    “An inviting and generous story that will be a pleasure to read aloud.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

    “This amiable picture book offers children glimpses of Colombia as well as a role model who values books and enjoys sharing them with others…. Simultaneously published in a Spanish edition, Rescatando Palabras.“ —Booklist

    Awards

    Oklahoma Book Award NOMINEE 2022

    Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year SELECTION 2021

    Chicago Public Library Best Books SELECTION 2020

    Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices SELECTION 2021

    ALSC Notable Children’s Books LONGLIST 2021

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