Raúl Colón

Books by This Author

Draw!

Age Level: 6-9

A boy named Leonardo begins to imagine and then to draw a world afar—first a rhinoceros, and then he meets some monkeys, and he always has a friendly elephant at his side. Soon he finds himself in the jungle and carried away by the sheer power of his imagination, seeing the world through his own eyes and making friends along the way. Based on his own childhood, award-winning artist Raúl Colón’s wordless book is about the limitless nature of creativity and imagination.

Orson Blasts Off!

Age Level: 6-9

Join Orson and his sidekick, Weasel, on a hair-raising adventure where they touch the North Pole…watch the eye of a storm wink…and fall through a black hole in outer space. Readers (but maybe not their parents!) will be amazed at what can happen when a creative kid is forced away from his computer screen. Written and illustrated by Raúl Colón, this picture book is filled with delicious word-play and all the fun of a comic book.

Books by This Illustrator

A Band of Angels

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Ella Sheppard was one of the original Jubilee Singers from what is now known as Fisk University. This is a touching story, told by Ella's great-great-granddaughter, accompanied by gentle, poignant illustrations. Golden Kite Award Winner.

A Weave of Words

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)

When Prince Vachagan decides to marry Anait, a weaver's daughter, she insists that he learn to read and write and that he learn a skilled trade. Her demands serve the prince well when he is caught by a three-headed monster and he can use his skills to send a secret message to his bride — who then rides into battle to rescue her husband. This adaptation of an Armenian folk tale, brought to life by Raúl Colón's luminous illustrations, offers a refreshing alternative to traditional fairy tales in its portrayal of strong, smart princess who saves the day!

Abuelo

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Together, a young boy and his abuelo gaucho (cowboy grandfather) go camping, ride horses, and even confront a mountain lion in a setting inspired by the plains of Argentina. Soon, the boy's family moves to the city from the country, away from Abuelo, and it is the boy's memories that help him adjust to his new life. Arthur Dorros's skillful blend of Spanish and English and Raúl Colón's poignant paintings illuminate how the special bond between a grandfather and his grandson reaches across miles.

Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina

"Similar in form and concept to many of Bernier-Grand's previous books, this beautiful volume offers a biographical account of ballerina Alicia Alonso through a sequence of free-verse poems, extensive background notes, and large-scale illustrations. Beginning with Alonso's childhood in Cuba, the book relates how she moved to New York in 1937 and overcame partial blindness to dance again, winning worldwide renown." — Booklist

Always My Dad

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Though Dad moves around a lot and his jobs keep changing, a young girl and her brother hold fast to memories of his magical, unexpected visits in this portrait of a family held together by a special bond of love. Pastel illustrations bring the touching story to life.

Angela and the Baby Jesus (Children's Edition)

Angela and the Baby Jesus (Children's Edition)
Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: When six-year-old Angela sees the Baby Jesus in the Christmas crib at the church near her house, she feels very sorry for him. He looks happy enough but she wonders why he has no blanket to keep him warm. So Angela decides to take the Baby home with her, when no one is looking, and make him more comfortable. But hiding the Baby Jesus isn't easy. How long can Angela keep her big secret? This wonderful Christmas story is based on an incident from the childhood of Frank McCourt's mother, Angela of Angela's Ashes.

Annie & Helen

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Anne Sullivan arrived at the Keller home in 1887, writing letters to a friend about how she worked with a deaf and blind girl named Helen. Anne's words combine with a straightforward narration and gentle illustrations to provide deeper insight into how Helen Keller grew into a brilliant woman.

Buoy: Home at Sea

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Buoy lives in the middle of the sea, far from land and people. Some might think that Buoy would be lonely, but for him, the sea is home. His friend Gull is usually there, sitting atop Buoy's red light. Seal can often be found sunning herself on Buoy's base. The ocean world of these three friends is constantly changing, and always astonishing. They share the sounds of whale song, survive storms together, and watch shooting stars in the night sky.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

The youngest daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young shares a time when she and her two older sisters moved from New York to Atlanta to protest and ultimately change unfair laws. The narration is innocent and child-like — effectively describing what Jim Crow was and giving glimpse of the leaders of the period (including Martin Luther King, Jr.). Soft lined, textured illustrations evoke the time and its tenor while portraying people in a recognizable way. An end note provides additional information about the people depicted.

Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician

Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician
Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or astronauts walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as "human computers" used their knowledge, pencils, adding machines, and writing paper to calculate the orbital mechanics needed to launch spacecraft. Katherine Johnson was one of these mathematicians who used trajectories and complex equations to chart the space program.

Pages