Lucha Libre by Xavier Garza (Illustrator); Luis Humberto Crosthwaite (Translator)
The popularity of lucha libre, Mexico's version of professional wrestling, is exploding in the United States, thanks to the television show Mucha Lucha. In Xavier Garza's bilingual kids' book about this wild and crazy sport, young Carlitos attends a lucha libre match in Mexico City for the first time. He's with his Papá Lupe, but his Tio Rodolfo, who's supposed to join them, doesn't show up. At ringside, Carlitos sees the famous luchador, el Santo--the Man in the Silver Mask, a man whose eyes look terribly familiar. El Santo even smiles at Carlitos! Carlitos is mesmerized as el Santo is pitted against the terrible forces of evil--los rudos, the bad guys of lucha libre. They make the audience boo and hiss! In the end, though, el Santo triumphs and, in the process, gains a lifelong fan. Kids of all ages are drawn to the allure of lucha libre and its masked men and women. In Lucha Libre, young fans will see this fascinating world come alive: Favorite heroes and much-feared villains, dressed in dazzling and outrageous costumes, strut and prance across the mat and bounce against the ropes, daring anyone to take them to the floor! Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, lucha libre aficionado Xavier Garza is a prolific author, artist and storyteller whose work focuses primarily on his experiences growing up in the small border town of Rio Grande City. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona and Washington. Garza and his wife live in San Antonio, Texas. He published his first book, Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys (Arte Público Press), in 2004.
Call Number: PZ 73 G368 Luc 2005
Make Your Own Masks by
Readers will get to make eight masks, including a Greek Medusa and Aztec skull. Everyday objects are transformed into a Kenyan giraffe mask and a Viking mask.
Making Masks by 
Masks by 
Lucha Libre by
The popularity of lucha libre, Mexico's version of professional wrestling, is exploding in the United States, thanks to the television show Mucha Lucha. In Xavier Garza's bilingual kids' book about this wild and crazy sport, young Carlitos attends a lucha libre match in Mexico City for the first time. He's with his Papá Lupe, but his Tio Rodolfo, who's supposed to join them, doesn't show up. At ringside, Carlitos sees the famous luchador, el Santo--the Man in the Silver Mask, a man whose eyes look terribly familiar. El Santo even smiles at Carlitos! Carlitos is mesmerized as el Santo is pitted against the terrible forces of evil--los rudos, the bad guys of lucha libre. They make the audience boo and hiss! In the end, though, el Santo triumphs and, in the process, gains a lifelong fan. Kids of all ages are drawn to the allure of lucha libre and its masked men and women. In Lucha Libre, young fans will see this fascinating world come alive: Favorite heroes and much-feared villains, dressed in dazzling and outrageous costumes, strut and prance across the mat and bounce against the ropes, daring anyone to take them to the floor! Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, lucha libre aficionado Xavier Garza is a prolific author, artist and storyteller whose work focuses primarily on his experiences growing up in the small border town of Rio Grande City. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona and Washington. Garza and his wife live in San Antonio, Texas. He published his first book, Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys (Arte Público Press), in 2004.
Behind the Mask by
Halloween is coming. “What are you going to be?” the children ask one another. Kimin says he will be his grandfather. “Going as an old man is not very scary,” they tease. What the children don’t know is that Kimin’s grandfather was a Korean mask dancer. And Kimin doesn’t know that the mask holds a secret for him. With vibrant illustrations, Yangsook Choi joins Korean and American folk traditions in her story about a boy who finds a link to his grandfather, behind the mask. Behind the Mask is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.