Pink goats, blue rabbits, and purple cats--oh my! Manuel has the determination and imagination to create them all!

Cabras rosas, conejos azules y gatos morados--!que maravilla! !Manuel tiene las ganas e imaginacion para crearlo todo!

Between their work growing blue corn and green alfalfa, Manuel and his father carve small wooden animals to sell at the fiestas in Oaxaca, Mexico. Manuel's imagination overflows with goats as pink as blossoming bougainvillea, purple cats with corn-yellow spots, and many more completely unique animals.

When he tells his father how he longs to sculpt creatures in this new style, his father only scowls, telling Manuel to stick to their traditional way.But Manuel practices on his own, trying over and over until he's finally able to carve wood into the lively animals he sees in his mind. Finally, he brings his creations to the fiestas, where he finds out that being true to himself is a great thing!

Including an afterword on the vibrant Mexican art form of wood carvings, as well as information on the real artisan who inspired the book--Manuel Jimenez Ramirez--this colorful tale inspires readers of all ages to follow their passion.

Entre su trabajo cosechando maiz azul y alfalfa verde, Manuel y su padre tallan animalitos de madera para vender en las fiestas de Oaxaca, Mexico. Pero Manuel suena con dar vida animals mas grandes y coloridos. Su imaginacion se desborda con cabras tan rosas como las buganvillas en flor, gatos morados con manchas color de maiz amarillo y muchos mas animales tan unicos que nunca antes habian sido creados.

Cuando le dice ha su padre que anhela esculpir criaturas en este nuevo estilo, su padre solo frunce el ceno. El quiere seguir tallando como siempre lo ha hecho. Pero Manuel practica solo, esforzandose y esforzandose, hasta que logra hacer que la madera luzca como los animales alegres que ve en su mente. Al fin, trae sus creaciones a las fiestas, !y se da cuenta que ser fiel a si mismo es algo maravilloso!

Con un epilogo sobre el arte mexicano de tallar madera, e informacion sobre el verdadero artesano quien inspiro este libro--Manuel Jimenez Ramirez--esta historia vivaz inspira a lectores de todas edades a perseguir sus suenos.