THE MIRABAL SISTERS

Calderón’s biographical picture book tells the story of four revolutionary sisters of the Dominican Republic.

The book opens by introducing sisters Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal, who lived in the Dominican Republic under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. They had a happy childhood, and as adults, they became frustrated with the oppression of their people. Minerva started the June 14 Movement, dedicated to bringing down the Trujillo government. Three sisters were jailed, and Dedé took charge of the siblings’ children, keeping them safe. The other sisters were released, but their eventual assassination by secret police helped inspire a major movement to overthrow Trujillo. Although grim material for a children’s book, Calderón’s tale is presented in a sensitive manner, and Ocampo’s full-color, painted illustrations focus on the vivid colors and beauty of the island nation rather than on violence. A strong butterfly metaphor—“people called them Las Mariposas—The Butterflies”—is featured in the text and bright images. A glossary clearly explains longer vocabulary words and Spanish-language phrases. Like Calderón and Ocampo’s previous collaboration, Maria Montez (2021), this work offers insight into an underrepresented slice of history.

An inspiring and unusual story of heroic women.