Amazon Exit Studio Category:  Children Publisher: Exit Studio ISBN-10:  0964086875 Type: Fiction Pages: 32 Copyright: July 2008 (2nd Ed.) ISBN-13: 9780964086876 A native Taíno boy explores the natural beauty of his island of Borikén (Puerto Rico) 500 years ago. 'En esta hermosa isla' is a book that was ahead of its time! It’s hard to imagine that just a short while ago no one was listening to warnings about the global warming resulting from the cumulative neglect of Nature. Now people are more conscientious about protecting the environment but few may realize that these concepts are nothing new. As this beautiful and timely book so vividly illustrates, the Taínos, a culture from centuries ago, already knew the importance of conserving nature. Making nature conservancy the core of its story, 'En esta hermosa isla' is a glorious book to enjoy and learn from, now more than ever! A lyrical lesson in appreciating nature from an ancient culture, 'En esta hermosa isla' is a celebration of living in harmony with the natural world as presented through the eyes of a child. The narrator is Guanín, a 10-year-old boy from the Taíno tribe that inhabited Puerto Rico 500 years ago. Along with his pet parrot Tahite, Guanín takes the reader along for a typical day on the island. The sparkling and colorful illustrations depict all the wonders of the island in vivid detail and the poetic narration pulses with the sounds and rhythms of nature. The teachings of Puerto Rico’s ancient Taíno culture offer important lessons for today’s children who are daily distanced from the natural world. The book will inspire children to discover the world around them and protect our fragile environment.   Excerpt En esta hermosa isla hasta donde alcanzo a ver, el sol tibio con dedos dorados, despierta suavemente el amanecer. En el corazón de esta isla donde el cielo y las montañas en un verde abrazo se unen al mar; el viento travieso empuja nubes perezosas y con su cosquilleo suave, a las palmas hace reir y bailar.

Criticas Magazine
“In rhythmic prose, Fontánez depicts a community whose members are conscious stewards of Mother Earth. Beyond the story's attempt to rescue a slice of Taíno life, it manages to convey a pressing environmental message. The eye-popping, color illustrations and the poetic text create a mosaic of the island's exuberant topography. The book deserves attention for its topic...recommended for school and public libraries.”

Midwest Book Review
“A true work of the storyteller’s art…beautifully illustrated.”

Loose Leaves
“What a beautiful book! The illustrations are striking and the book is informative, well researched and entertaining. This is truly a book to be enjoyed by the entire family.”