Trying to find an old kids' book, I think about Latin America....

[PurpleChez]

When I was little (early 70s) my aunt got this book out of the library for me several times. We read it for Fourth of July, although it had nothing to do with the American holiday -- it just had fireworks in it.

It was about people in this village making these parade floats. They were like giant paper lanterns, with elaboratly detailed and colored decorations on the paper, and they were lit from the inside. There were also fireworks pinwheels, I think, on the sides of the floats.

When I ask folks about this they generally assume -- because of the fireworks -- that it was actually about a Chinese village. But I have ALWAYS remembered it as Mexican or from elsewhere in Latin America.

Does this ring ANY bells? Even if you're not aware of a book, does the festival sound familiar? Any lead would help.

Obviously, this is not a life-or-death question. But it's a cherished childhood memory, etc., etc., and it would be really cool to be able to put a name to it.

Thanks!!!

[brer cat]

1. I deal in vintage children's books but this isn't ringing any bells.

Try going to abebooks.com. Scroll down watching left-hand margin to "BookSleuth". Give this description and maybe one of their many, many children's booksellers will know. Good luck. I have reunited many adults with their memories, and it is a joy!

Rose

[PurpleChez]

3. That sounds like the coolest thing ever!

Thanks!!!

[eleny]

2. Abe Books has a Book Sleuth forum that's very helpful

http://forums.abebooks.com/abesleuthcom

They've always come through for me. If you post what you posted here I think you'll have success learning the name. And they even have a sales service where you can search to see if anyone is selling it via the Abe Books site. I've had good luck there.

[PurpleChez]

4. Again: that sounds like the coolest thing ever!

I hope the repetition doesn't make it sound incincere, because this sounds like a great service.

[eleny]

6. Ooops - I didn't realize the first reply talked about Abe!

I read her subject header but didn't go further. So just take it as another ringing endorsement of their discussion board. They even have a children's book section. I hope you find your book. Childhood memories are so important.

One book I remember our family having was a large book about the history of coffee titled King Coffee. I found it for sale at Abe Books. I never thought it would still be around - but sure enough a couple of sellers had it. It was so wonderful to have a copy in my hands and to see all the neat 1930s illustrations again. This time around the politics of the subject struck me. I'm glad I could find it and am grateful for Abe's.

[LeftishBrit]

5. I don't recognize the book; but there is a great forum for just this sort of query

http://www.loganberrybooks.com

Loganberry Books have a very good 'book stumper' service specifically for forgotten children's books. If you post the details of a partly-remembered book (I think there's a charge, but it's not huge), then one of the readers of the site will very likely have the solution.

[eleny]

7. Wow! Another great source for finding old books

This is terrific.