Magic Windows

Garza, C. L.  (1999).  Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

This nonfiction book discusses cut paper art and its deep tradition in the Mexican culture. Written in both Spanish and English, Carmen Garza gives information about each picture and why is important to her family heritage. Her paper cut art features the nopal cactus, tortillas, horned toads and hummingbirds among several others. She gives details on why she chose to create each picture and why it is important to her.

Geared for elementary grades, the book is really a combination of lessons in cut paper art and Hispanic heritage. The details in the pictures are amazing especially considering the only tool used was a craft knife. Students would be fascinated to look at every picture in detail to see how the picture stays as one piece of paper and what the artist used as connectors to keep the picture together. The information shared about Hispanic heritage brings a very personal touch as it part of the author’s family portrayed in many of the pieces.

 2000 Pura Belpre Award for Illustration