This illustrated collection of portraits of Latina mother-daughter relationships overflows with love in all its complexity and intensity. Featuring famous Latinas, including salsa queen Celia Cruz, Florida First Lady Columba Bush, The People's Court
Judge Marilyn Milian and media entrepreneur Cristina Saralegui as well as everyday women, the book tells many versions of the same story: madres
and hijas
may have complicated feelings for each other, but their loyalty is strong despite their generational differences. Though American Latinas are a diverse group, many of the daughters profiled here share experiences of family relocation. Throughout, television producer Perez-Brown expertly weaves the daughters' stories of relating to mothers whose childhoods were spent in another country and bridging the inevitable cultural divides. The daughters write of facing challenging educational and professional issues, buoyed by the support of mothers to whom the issues were as foreign as a new language, but whose devotion to their daughter's pursuit of happiness was unquestioning. These stories reveal a universal gratitude for the sacrifices made by mothers for their daughters. As the author explains, "I know that every success I've enjoyed in my life comes from my mother's hard work and the strategic decisions she made." 40 illus. Agents, Raul Mateu and Betsy Helf. (Apr. 10)
Forecast:Rayo plans to simultaneously release the book in Spanish (ISBN 0-06-008388-3), and Warner will issue a CD of songs inspired by the women and stories from the book. With the pub date scheduled right before Mother's Day, sales should be strong.
