Illustrating Sonia Sotomayor’s Life Story, at the Zimmerli
Lulu Delacre discusses how her Latin heritage shapes her artwork
“The message that resonates in my illustrations is that Latin children can see themselves in the pages of the book and say, ‘Someone looks like me and is in a top position.’”– Lulu Delacre
Lulu Delacre, an award-winning children’s book illustrator and author, said her Latin heritage and life experiences inform her work – and were vital to her creation of vibrant illustrations for the memoir of the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
About 30 of Delacre’s original works for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s new children’s book, Turning Pages: My Life Story, are currently on exhibit at Rutgers University–New Brunswick’s Zimmerli Art Museum. They include oil and collage art, preparatory drawings and research material, all on public view for the first time. English and Spanish labels accompany the works.
Delacre, who has been writing and illustrating children’s books since 1980, will hold a presentation and book signing tonight at the Zimmerli.
“The message that resonates in my illustrations is that Latin children can see themselves in the pages of the book and say, ‘Someone looks like me and is in a top position,’” said Delacre, who grew up in Puerto Rico with Argentinian parents. “It’s important for kids to see that you can turn to a book and it can open the door to a marvelous new world.”
Her illustrations create an engaging visual account of Sotomayor’s personal journey. Sotomayor recounts the challenges of her childhood in the Bronx including her father’s death and her diabetes diagnosis, as well as her triumphs, from her acceptance at Princeton University to serving on the nation’s highest court.
“Justice Sotomayor is a role model for people all over the world who dream to make a difference,” said Nicole Simpson, the Zimmerli’s assistant curator of prints and drawings, who organized the exhibition. “In Turning Pages, she is a powerful advocate for the importance of reading, demonstrating how early exposure to books can transform a person’s life. Likewise, Lulu Delacre reveals through her captivating illustrations how art can tell a moving story.”
“Justice Sotomayor teaches children that the wisdom of the ages can very often be found in the pages of books, within the myriad libraries that can be found in every town in our land,” said Thomas Sokolowski, Zimmerli director. “Her mantra could almost be found in the phrase ‘Knowledge Free to All,’ once coined by Andrew Carnegie.”
Delacre’s 39 titles include Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America, a Horn Book Fanfare Book in print for over 25 years; and Salsa Stories, an IRA Outstanding International Book.
The event will include a discussion of Delacre’s career as an illustrator and author, with a focus on her work and process for Turning Pages. It will be followed by audience questions and a book signing. This talk is part of Zimmerli’s October Art After Hours : First Tuesdays, which features music and refreshments starting at 5 p.m.