Coal Words

A heartwarming tale about literacy and education in a remote Colombian village

In the village of Palenque, the only one who can read is Mr. Velandia, because some years ago, there were no schools in the villages to study. Gina’s sister really wants to learn to read and Mr. Velandia promises to teach her if she helps him with the store…

› Rights sold: Brazil and English
› Best Children’s Book 2016 – Banco del libro de Venezuela
› Fundación Cuatrogatos Award 2016 – Spanish Youth Literature

Irene Vasco

Irene is a renowed Colombian author of almost thirty titles (such as Paso a paso and Mambrú perdió la guerra). She also travels long distances to visit communities where normally no  one reaches, with just one intention: to bring the stories that she shares with her family to other  children, and to break the silence with which conflicts are usually hidden from the young, revealing them through her writings.

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