We’re in the Zinn Education Project http://www.facebook.com/ZinnEducationProject
Posted by willielightning on November 21, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/11/21/were-in-the-zinn-education-project-httpwww-facebook-comzinneducationproject/
From The boy made of lightning, first children’s interactive book on the life of Willie Velasquez
Posted by willielightning on November 14, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/11/14/from-the-boy-made-of-lightning-first-childrens-interactive-book-on-the-life-of-willie-velasquez-art-by-debora-kuetzpal-vasque/
Willie Rap
A snippet of the historic “willie rap” created by the musicians Itzli and Chimalli!
Created especially for The boy made of lightning
all rights reserved 2012
Posted by willielightning on November 12, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/11/12/willie-rap/
Clip of Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro narrating the Boy Made of Lightning
Posted by willielightning on October 2, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/10/02/clip-of-texas-state-rep-joaquin-castro-narrating-the-boy-made-of-lightning/
Willie has a dream
Willie has a dream
by Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez @2012
The boy made of lightning will be about 25 pages long. It will include sound, photos, video, original music and local voices.
A two-page glossary with links.
Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, a highly-regarded visual artist, is creating a series of 25 images for the first children’s interactive story on the life of voting rights pioneer Willie Velasquez. It will debut on in late 2012, WITH YOUR HELP. Copyright Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, @2012
Posted by willielightning on September 6, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/09/06/285/
A children’s book for the 21st Century
Dr. Joey Lopez tells the story of how The boy made of lightning is progressing.
Children cheer when they hear this story…they want to vote!
at the Southwest Voter Registration Education Banquet on Wednesday, August 15th, in San Antonio, Texas
Posted by willielightning on August 20, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/08/20/when-a-book-has-to-be-seen-and-heard/
State Rep. Joaquin Castro tapes “The boy made of lightning”
”They talked late into the night, as Willie listened to the stories about the Mexican Revolution, world wars, and most of all, the flooding…”
I was impressed. Rep. Castro read it with feeling. More of the story with audio, coming.
Posted by willielightning on August 20, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/08/20/state-rep-joaquin-castro-tapes-the-boy-made-of-lightning/
Future Congressman Joaquin Castro from San Antonio narrates The boy made of lightning
Yesterday, State Rep Joaquin Castro, spent an hour with us as he narrated this original story on the life of Willie Velasquez for children. Based on the stories the Velasquez family has told me, especially the late Mary Louise Velasquez, Willie’s mother, who was buried the week before (Que Dios Te Bendiga, Sra. Velasquez). Celeste Guzman, a poet, had told me that Joaquin was in debate with her at Jefferson HS, and that he could do this. The combination of his political achievements and his growing up in San Antonio, made for a potent read that is very smart, very American, and for reals. When I ask children what heroes do you know? They answer Tim Duncan and then — Joaquin Castro (sometimes they mix Julian and Joaquin). Rep. Castro told us that he was not quite 14 when Willie Velasquez passed, and I heard his voice change when he said “Su voto es su voz,”
Your vote is your voice. 
Jimmy Klein, the son of Victoria Zapata and Javier Klein, San Antonio, is the voice of Willie. He was signing in the audiobooth on the day we taped him.
I think that Willie would be very proud of both Jimmy and Representative Castro.
Credit: “Hand” by visual artist Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez
Posted by willielightning on August 6, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/08/06/future-congressman-joaquin-castro-from-san-antonio-narrates-the-boy-made-of-lightning/
Looking for Images of Willie Velasquez with lawyers who won voting rights cases 88 times!
The team met with noted voting rights lawyer Rolando Rios from San Antonio (who has an office down the street) and I spoke with Joaquin Avila (MacArthur Fellow and law professor) in Seattle. Rolando told us stories about the lawsuits, the cases, and how everything seemed to change overnight. 
Photo credit: Life Magazine
Posted by willielightning on June 21, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/06/21/looking-for-images-of-willie-velasquez-with-lawyers-who-won-voting-rights-cases-88-times-6/
A story from San Antonio about a boy who changed the world
One day something happened that Willie would never forget.
It had rained again. That morning, Willie decided he would discover what caused the flooding once and for all. “Vamonos!” He told Rudy. “Adventure!”
The night before, the drums in his head wouldn’t stop.
Why?Where?What?When? Why?Why?Why?
He just had to know where the flooding began.
His mother let him go. Once Willie started on something there was no stopping him. They took some tacos and a rope just in case they found something interesting to bring home.
Excerpt from The boy made of lightning@2012
Posted by willielightning on May 3, 2012
http://willievelasquezbook.com/2012/05/03/a-story-from-san-antonio-for-the-world/
