Pablo's Fandango, a folky tale for children is now on sale and can be purchased through the author (dhinojos7@gmail.com). It will be available on Amazon.com and other online book stores shortly. The purpose of this book is three-fold. First of all, my goal is to expose children to acoustic folk music in hopes that they will take up an instrument. I co-founded Jarochicanos, a Chicago children's folk band specializing in Son Jarocho, and I have watched their self-esteem soar. They prefer to play and to perfect their technique than to watch television or play video games. It is an intergenerational movement so they socialize with their parents. Some parents have also taken up an instrument and play with their children at the "Fandangos", or musical gatherings. One of my students, in particular, has made a 180 degree turn. He was struggling with depression for years. After he began playing with the Jarochicanos, his mood began to change. He is now always smiling and he exudes confidence and happiness every time I see him. Music tends to have a healing effect on people, especially children.

My second goal is to expose Mexican-American and African-American children to our common roots in history. I agree with Cedric Muhammad from the Black Electorate when he said "Black and Latino unity can never be generated in the political realm. The root of unity will be found in a discovery and recognition of the common root in history, of which a majority of Blacks and Latinos are still ignorant." Being a former CPS teacher, I am fully aware of how poor race relations can affect learning. When there were race riots at the school where I taught, due to the strained relationship between the African-American and Mexican-American students we would lock ourselves along with our students inside the class at times for three hours. The students would be so wound up you couldn't do anything with them for the rest of the day. This book along with the CD shows children that we share a history together and that when we did work together, we were capable of creating wonderful things.

Another nice thing about "Pablo's Fandango" is that it helps children deal with loss in regards to a pet or a loved one. It helps them understand the natural life cycle. We all live, and when our time comes, we move on.