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Nothing comes close to the emotional bond that exists between a mother and her daughter. Through the fascinating personal histories of some of the most influential Latinas in America, Mama is a testament to the love, hard work, and commitment Latina mothers traditionally have for their daughters. In Mama, Latina daughters finally honor their mothers and inspire readers, by paying homage to the strong women who have sacrificed and struggled, laughed and cried, and fought hard to create a better life for their daughters. Readers will discover the beauty as well as the complexity of the mother-daughter bond. Maria Perez-Brown spoke with Latinas from a variety of nationalities, races, and lifestyles; some are famous, and some not so well known. The women she interviewed include actresses, doctors, filmmakers, as well as such public figures as Cristina Saraleglui, Esmeralda Santiago, Jaci Vela squez, Rosario Dawson, and Celia Cruz. In their own words, these daughters tell us about their relationship with their mothers -- and of a bond every Latina will recognize. A perfect gift, Mama will remain a treasure for years to come. This book, like those who breathe within its pages, is a memorial in honor of the women who have shown that true character is exemplified by sacrifice and inspiration, hard work, and, of course, love.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• A Sacrifice for the Quinceanera - Rosario Marin and her mother, Carmen Spindola(p. 1)
• The Twenty-Four-Hour Women - Maria Hinojosa and her mother, Berta Hinojosa(p. 7)
• Chica, Interrupted - Jackie Guerra and her mother, Joyce Guerra(p. 17)
• Dreams Come True - Christina Vidal and her mother, Josephine Vidal(p. 25)
• Law and Order - Judge Marilyn Milian and her mother, Georgina Milian(p. 33)
• The Power Behind the Throne - Denise Quinones and her mother, Susana August de Quinones(p. 39)
• The Gift of Giving - Kim Flores and her mother, Amelia Flores(p. 47)
• Coco's World - Lauren Velez and her mother, Socorro Velez(p. 57)
• And Baby Makes Three - Norma Ortiz and her mother, Blanca Ortiz(p. 67)
• A Whole Other World - Esmeralda Santiago and her mother, Ramona Santiago(p. 75)
• Between Two Worlds - Miriam Weintraub and her mother, Alma Weintraub(p. 87)
• The Greatest Love - Isabel Rivera and her mother, Consuelo Alicia Rivera(p. 93)
• Ollita - Celia Cruz and her mother, Catalina Alfonso(p. 101)
• Home Sweet Home - Rossana Rosado and her mother, Luz Rosado(p. 109)
• Keep the Faith - Columba Bush and her mother, Josefina Gallo(p. 115)
• Quiet Strength - Yvette Martas and her mother, Magdalena Martas(p. 121)
• A Living Memorial - Belkys Diaz and her mother, Carmen Diaz(p. 129)
• Home Is Where the Heart Is - Jaci Velasquez and her mother, Diana Catherine Velasquez(p. 135)
• Life Lessons - Sharo Jimenez and her mother, Olga Pena(p. 143)
• You'll Never Walk Alone - Elizabeth Velez-Velasco and her mother, Anna Elba Rosario(p. 151)
• Laughter and Tears - Janice Garcia and her mother, Nelly Awilda Garcia Sainz(p. 157)
• With One Voice - Carol Cardenas and her mother, Minerva Cardenas(p. 165)
• The Beat in My Heart - Lisa Lisa and her mother, Monserrate Velez(p. 171)
• It Takes a Village - Nora Lago and her mother, Carmen Lago(p. 177)
• The Chosen One - Christy Haubegger and her mother, Ann Haubegger(p. 185)
• An Independent Woman - Cristina Saralegui and her mother, Cristy S. Saralegui(p. 193)
• Unanswered Questions - Aida Rodriguez and her mother, Ana Lucia Rodriguez(p. 201)
• The Storytellers - Nina Tassler and her mother, Norma Grau Tassler(p. 209)
• Soul Sisters - Rosario Dawson and her mother, Isabel Dawson(p. 215)
• Never Standing Still - Sandra Garcia and her mother, Maria Garcia(p. 223)

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

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. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

When she was a teenage mother of four, Juana Grajales left Puerto Rico for New York, hoping to widen the possibilities for her children's lives. Her daughter, a lawyer and television producer, wrote this book as an homage to mothers like her own who "postponed their own dreams and made tremendous sacrifices for their children." In a substantive, heartfelt introduction, the author notes recurring themes specific to Latina mother-daughter relationships that she found as she interviewed the books' subjects, including U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin, "salsa queen" Celia Cruz, and Florida's First Lady, Columba Bush. In each chapter, combining profiles, quotes, and beautiful photographs, a woman speaks candidly about her mother, usually praising her bravery, strength, resourcefulness, humor, and unwavering support. But the daughters talk about the difficulties, too; in one story, a mother and daughter regularly see a therapist when "it gets really heavy and problematic." Honest, funny, and deeply moving, these stories will resonate with all mothers and daughters, particularly first and second-generation Americans, while offering special insight into Latina American culture. --Gillian Engberg

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Maria Perez-Brown is president of Dorado Entertainment and the creator and executive producer of Nickelodeon's Gullah Gullah Island and Taina, named Best Children's Series for 2002 by the Imagen Foundation and the National Council of La Raza. An Emmy-nominated producer, Maria has also won the Annual Achievement in Television Award presented by the National Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences. Maria is a graduate of Yale University and New York University Law School. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband
Julie Bidwell is an editorial photographer based in Connecticut. Her one-person show, "Defining Moments," featured portraits on the subject of race. She is a weekly contributor to the Hartford Courant Sunday magazine Northeast. Julie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. She lives with her son Brian