June Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Titles for Children: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Bilingual Titles
Jun 23, 2011ADA, Alma Flor. Todo es canción: Antología poética. illus. by María Jesús Álvarez. 144p. Alfaguara. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-61605-173-0. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 4–Ada has edited a number of lovely books of traditional rhymes, but Todo es canción (Everything Is Song) gives her a chance to showcase her own poetry. The selections are organized by theme. “For Laughing and Playing” includes traditional rhymes, with tales of cats and mice and hens. “In School” includes counting rhymes, and “My Books” is a gift for librarians everywhere to share with children. There are selections that will encourage movement, and those that can be adapted as fingerplays. “Sun and Foam,” “Dreams and Fantasies,” and “The Power of Words” all contain thoughtful and powerful pieces. The whole is summed up in the final poem, in which Ada celebrates the song in everything around us, and ends by saying, essentially, “Because you have been born, life wants to sing.” This book is to Latino children what Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses is to English-speaking youngsters. It is not just a poetry anthology, but truly a lasting contribution to Latino literature that belongs in every library that serves young Spanish-speakers and their parents.–Tim Wadham , St. Louis County Library, MO
BARNES, Trevor. La Biblia illustrada para niños. rev. ed. illus. by Vanessa Card, et al. 256p. maps. photos. chron. glossary. index. Kingfisher. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6563-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-7–Stories from both the Old and the New Testament are narrated in simple language that captures the integrity of the Bible. Each account is one to two pages long, allowing children to complete a selection in one seating. Corresponding Bible verses are located under each title. Pages have a top and bottom colorful border that matches the monogram at the beginning of the text. Both of these additions give each page a delicate and important feeling. The illustrations are vivid and full of realism. The reference section contains a historical account of the people of Israel. It includes maps, time lines, charts, and a list of biblical figures. A great addition to any collection.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
SAUMANDE, Juliette, et al. Cuentos y + Cantinelas, Acertijos, Actividades: 10 historias de princesas. tr. by Susana Andrés. illus. by Emmanuelle Pioli, et al. 192p. Pirueta. 2010. Tr. $18.96. ISBN: 978-84-92691-53-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-5–Originally written in French and translated to Spanish, these 10 stories feature several authors and illustrators. Cheerful collages and mixed-media illustrations pull readers in to each one: How can one become a princess in three easy lessons? Why does a messy princess end up hanging upside down and marrying a monstrous bat? Or the true story of the “Princess and the Pea.” Each clever retelling allows readers to enjoy the kingdoms described and the animated illustrations. A few pages of songs, riddles, games, and/or activities appear after each selection. An illustrated glossary is appended. Kids will enjoy the stories and related crafts.–Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
BURNELL, Heather Ayris. Bedtime Monster/¡A dormir, pequeño monstruo! illus. by Bonnie Adamson. 32p. Raven Tree. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-932748-80-2; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-932748-81-9. LC 2010922817.
PreS-Gr 2–It’s time for bed but Paul is not tired. Despite already being in his cozy pajamas, he wants to stay up and play with his toys. Again, Mom tells him to go to bed, but he grumbles and groans and grows a green, spiky tail. His parents try to calm the newly sprouted monster, despite his flailing, clawed hands and feet. The sleepy little creature is no match for the soft lullabies and is soon tucked into bed. Only after he is fast asleep does Dad make a monstrous confession. Cartoon characters outlined in black ink and filled in with soft, pastel watercolors on textured paper bring this monster to life. Some pages use comic-book-style panel sequencing. Small details, like crayons strewn on the floor and hand-drawn artwork adorning the walls, are interesting and familiar. The story is sweet but does not necessarily lend itself to the bilingual English/Spanish format, although the Spanish translation is satisfactory. A solid addition where Spanish-language books are in demand.–Shannon Dye, Sno-Isle Libraries, Monroe, WA
CARRETERO, Mónica. Circo de pulgas. illus. by author. unpaged. (Artistas mini-animalistas Series). Cuento de Luz. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-8-49-378145-3. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–With the sound of “Titotirotiroritotiro ” begins the biggest littlest show on earth. “No, it’s not Ringling Brothers coming to town but the Flea Circus!” Readers are prompted to meet an array of very special fleas who decide to launch a circus. These insects have big personalities in order to wow the crowds of admirers and captivate readers. Children will get a peek into some amazing talents, such as beautiful Anuska defying gravity as she balances on a tightrope, or Mariusz the Herculean who is able to pull a bicycle filled with fleas with his mouth. They will also meet the courageous León as he tames a wild English bulldog. And these are just some of the feats that these performers exhibit. Carretero’s engaging story is fully supported through her detailed, humorous, and imaginative cartoons. Children will see that big talent can come from the smallest of figures; that size is no impediment to what they can do. To meet the rest of the cast, they need only to open the pages of this book and transport themselves into a world filled with these magical fleas.–Verónica Corral, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC
DAHL, Michael. Un gran edificio: Un libro para contar sobre construcción/One Big Building: A Counting Book About Construction. tr. by Martín Luis Guzmán Ferrer. illus. by Todd Ouren. 24p. (Aprendete tus numeros/Know Your Numbers Series). Picture Window. 2011. RTE $25.99. ISBN 978-1-4048-6294-4. LC 2010009872.
PreS-Gr 2–How does a construction project begin? With one big plan, of course. Then come 2 shovels, 3 dump trucks, etc., until there are 12 stories of the new, tall building. There may never be enough picture books that illustrate the magic of concrete mixers and cranes. There are even fewer that are bilingual and well suited to reading aloud. The digital pictures have the look and texture of collage. The primary colors and linear style make counting each of the elements easy and fun. Characters are ethnically diverse and there is good gender representation. The English and Spanish texts are short and nicely fit on the page in a large font size. The book doubles as a “Look and Find” title as each page has its respective number hidden somewhere within the illustration. The last page offers “Fun Facts,” answers for the number search, and safe Internet sites to browse. A first purchase that can be used for storytime, independent reading, or one-on-one sharing.–Shannon Dye, Sno-Isle Libraries, Monroe, WA
DONAHUE, Jill Lynn. Ser honesto/Being Honest. ISBN 978-1-4048-6689-8. LC 2010040924.
–––– . Ser tolerante/Being Tolerant. ISBN 978-1-4048-6690-4. LC 2010040925.
SMALL, Mary. Preocuparse por los demás/Caring. ISBN 978-1-4048-6692-8. LC 2010040921.
–––– . Ser digno de confianza/Being Trustworthy. ISBN 978-1-4048-6691-1. LC 2010040923.
ea vol: illus. by Stacey Previn. 24p. (¡Así debemos ser!/Way to be! Series). glossary. index. Web sites. Picture Window. 2011. PLB $25.99.
PreS-Gr 2–In this series, children are introduced to four character traits. Each book begins with a definition of the featured trait. On each page, a situation shows its application. Andy finds a purse and gives it to the teacher; he is being honest. Students in school keep their eyes on their own test; they are being trustworthy. Nathan shares his toy with his best friend because he cares. And Kyle invites Sarah to play on his baseball team because he knows that she wants to play. The vivid acrylic illustrations make the presentations attractive and give continuity to each spread. Children will enjoy these simple offerings.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
LACHTMAN, Ofelia Dumas. Pepita and the Bully/Pepita y la peleonera. tr. by Gabriela Baeza Ventura. illus. by Alex Pardo DeLange. unpaged. CIP. Pi ñ ata. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-689-9. LC 201003953.
K-Gr 3–In this adventure, which takes place three days into the new school year, Pepita loves her teacher and most of her classmates, but one student bullies her and pulls her hair; she makes fun of her name, and even of her dog. Pepita’s parents encourage her to be nice to Babette, which is difficult, so she starts taking out her frustration on the bully, and Babette can’t handle it. The illustrations are plentiful, colorful line drawings that are closely intertwined with the text and capture fine details of the story. The text is written in a large, clear font with the Spanish being separated from the English by a related illustration. The straightforward narrative, appealing artwork, and realistic story line make for a good addition to most collections.–Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA
MALONE, Margaret Gay. A Sweater for Duncan/Un suéter para Duncan. illus. by Lorraine Dey. 32p. CIP. Raven Tree. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-936299-04-1. LC 2010922815.
K-Gr 3–Duncan knows that he is a very good-looking penguin. Unlike his peers with their black coats and white shirts, he has his own fluffy, fuzzy gray coat. Every day he admires his reflection in the mirror, loving what he sees. Then one day, a little piece of his gray fluff floats away, and then another and another. Duncan is worried that he is losing his downy coat, so he asks his mother to knit a sweater for him out of all of the bits of fur that he finds. She happily makes him a sweater, but it is too small. Does he actually need to wear it now? Duncan’s storycreatively conveys the fun of growing up; however, the amount of text makes both versions more appropriate for school-age audiences than for preschoolers. The adorable illustrations are large and colorful. A bonus is the Spanish/English glossary at the back of the book.–Jessica McClinton López, King County Library System, Auburn, WA
MIRANDA, Conchita. Los latidos de Yago. illus. by Mónica Carretero. unpaged. Cuento de Luz. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-8-49-378144-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3–A snail travels around the world in a shell hanging from a sailor’s neck. After their many adventures together, the necklace breaks, leaving the little creature facing a new reality. She is found on the sand and given to a young child named Yago, who is physically disabled and unable to talk. She is disappointed because she believes her existence will now be lonely and boring. With time, she realizes that there are many people who love and communicate with Yago in different ways. She also becomes aware of the changes in his heartbeat as he responds to the different people in his life. The snail takes a new interest in life and becomes his friend. This moving and tender story brings to life the experiences of children with physical differences and disabilities. Carretero’s watercolor illustrations are soft, warm, and imaginative, expressing the story’s emotions and moods. A fine addition to most collections.–Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, Jackson, WY
PAYERAS, Mario. Travesuras de los gigantes. illus. by Christine Varadi. 40p. Piedra Santa Editorial. 2010. pap. $9.24. ISBN 978-99922-1-211-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–Morgante and Caraculiambro are two naughty giants who take a thousand days to be born because they are busy playing. Caraculiambro arrives first and comes out speaking German. A week later Morgante is born and he speaks Latin. Their parents know that Caraculiambro is going to be combative because he has beaten his brother in all of their arm-wrestling matches. They also worry that Morgante is going to be a “bum” because he sucks his thumb. In this amusing story, Payeras uses popular Guatemalan expressions, such as somatón, chajelele, and patojo, which might challenge bilingual children growing up in the U.S. Varadi’s surreal cut-paper collages are inventive but add unnecessary complexity to the story, especially when children need to guess the meaning of regionalisms. The use of potty talk and humorous references to farts, etc., are culturally authentic but might be considered inappropriate in certain communities. Nevertheless, the glossary and reading guide are wonderful tools to engage children in the adventures of these mischievous giants. This title could also be a good addition to libraries collecting tales from Central America.–Patricia Bashir, The Brentwood Library, TN
PERERA, Anna. Guantanamo Boy. tr. by Eduardo Iriarte Goñi. 336p. Ediciones B. 2010. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-84-666-4465-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Khalid, 15, enjoys playing video games, hanging out with his buddies, and rooting for his favorite soccer team. He has never been to Pakistan (where his father is from) or to Turkey (where his mother is from). In fact, there is not much difference between Khalid and his English friends, except that he is a Muslim and, in the words of Khalid’s father, “these are bad times for Muslims.” And so begins Khalid’s ordeal. On a family trip to Pakistan, he is kidnapped by the CIA and sent to the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison as a suspected terrorist. He endures all levels of torture including extreme psychological abuse to the point that he suffers a mental breakdown. Some information has recently been released regarding the treatment of foreign detainees, and Guantanamo Boy, while fictional, is certainly in keeping with the news stories. It is also an account of children imprisoned at the facility, which, according to Perera, is a common occurrence and one about which many people do not know. The novel touches on very important themes (discrimination against Muslims, violation of rights, use of torture, children prisoners). It is a must-read for teens and adults alike, but readers should be prepared for difficult and painful subject matter.–Jessica McClinton López, King County Library System, Auburn, WA
PÉREZ-REVERTE, Arturo. El pequeño hoplita. illus. by Fernando Vicente. unpaged. (Mi primer Series). Alfaguara. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-607-11-0592-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–A boy from Sparta, the only child among Leónidas’s army, witnesses the Battle of Thermopylae. When the fighting starts, the Spartans discover that a traitor has revealed a secret path in the mountains that will allow the Persians to surround them. Leónidas knows that their cause is lost, so he asks the boy to return to Sparta and tell the people that they all died fighting for their ideals. Pérez-Reverte immediately captures readers’ attention and maintains the tone and pacing, while introducing the Spartans’ values, customs, and concept of honor. Vicente’s realistic illustrations depict ancient Greece and the site of the famous battle. His accurate portraits of Leónidas and the Greek army, their attire and giant shields, and other details, such as a sculpture relief and gorgons in monuments and amphoras, add specificity to the story, making this not only a good introduction to the literary world of the famous Spanish writer, but also an engaging historical read.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
SAUMANDE, Juliette, et al. Cuentos y + Cantinelas, Acertijos, Actividades: 10 historias de princesas. tr. by Susana Andrés. illus. by Emmanuelle Pioli, et al. 192p. Pirueta. 2010. Tr. $18.96. ISBN: 978-84-92691-53-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-5–Originally written in French and translated to Spanish, these 10 stories feature several authors and illustrators. Cheerful collages and mixed-media illustrations pull readers in to each one: How can one become a princess in three easy lessons? Why does a messy princess end up hanging upside down and marrying a monstrous bat? Or the true story of the “Princess and the Pea.” Each clever retelling allows readers to enjoy the kingdoms described and the animated illustrations. A few pages of songs, riddles, games, and/or activities appear after each selection. An illustrated glossary is appended. Kids will enjoy the stories and related crafts.–Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
SERRES, Alain. Tengo derecho a ser niño: Mis opiniones y sentimientos cuentan. tr. from French by David Cáceres González. illus. by Aurélia Fronty. 44p. Blume. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-84-9801-481-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–This unique picture book explains children’s rights in simple language and illustrations. Basic concepts such as the right to food, shelter, and health care are covered as well as less tangible ideas, such as the right to play and to be expressive. Double-page illustrations are the norm, with one to two lines of text. Many of the folk-art drawings have a touch of sweetness and whimsy. In one picture, a cat is perched on a girl’s wheelchair while the child gets a ride on her father’s shoulders. The right to breathe fresh air shows a child balancing on the nose of a friendly polar bear while a seal balances a ball on its nose in the background. Some of the illustrations are appropriately solemn. For instance, the right to not be physically abused is illustrated with an eerie picture of a wolf with sharp teeth. Children of many nationalities, often dressed in traditional garb, are featured throughout. Although it is stated on the cover, “20 years in defense of children’s rights,” little information is given about the international Convention on the Rights of the Child, where this statement originated. The text is entirely in Spanish, and the vocabulary is simple enough for beginners to understand.–Rebecca Hickman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
SMITH, Michael. My Ducky Buddy/Mi amigo el pato. illus. by Octavio Oliva. unpaged. East West Discovery. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-0-9821675-5-7. LC 2010938864.
PreS–A boy describes why he enjoys bathing with his rubber duck. When it comes time to sleep, he misses his friend, imagining it leaping the fence as he counts sheep. Using animation and graphic-arts media, Oliva’s illustrations create fun, engaging, up-close pictures. Vivid, full-color spreads done in pastels feature blues, greens, magentas, and purples set against eye-catching backdrops for the happy child and his bright, and often huge, yellow duck. The boy’s large head gives him a bobble-head look, emphasizing his large smile and freckles. The Spanish translation adequately captures the English text; however, it does not always scan perfectly. This fun story will help fill the need for bilingual books suitable for storytimes. The engaging tale and pleasant illustrations will be a favorite for group or one-on-one sharing.–Cristi Jenkins, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA
TREVIZO, Elman. Las muchas muertes de Pancho Villa. 108p. Ediciones B. 2010. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-607-480-082-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Reminiscent of a Scooby-Doo mystery adventure, this story features two youngsters who risk harm in order to uncover the strange goings-on in an alley of their small Mexican town. One day, a mysterious woman befriends Doro at the park. She draws his attention with the secret that she has inherited the personal diary of Pancho Villa. She promises to allow him to read it if he agrees to help her with some important work for a historian who is researching the town’s legendary alley. She offers Doro a camera to enlist his assistance. Excited to play detective and take pictures, the boy recruits his friend Andres to sneak out at night and camp out at the site where local legend pinpoints the ambush of Pancho Villa, and the assassination, supposedly, is reenacted nightly by ghosts. Along with black-and-white line drawings that depict key action scenes of the suspenseful plot, the story introduces educational tidbits about the revolutionary icon. And while the shenanigans of phantoms and violent scenes might not be for squeamish readers, the allure of the denouement may just keep them turning the pages.–Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
VARA, Ana Serna. Aprende inglés en 1000 palabras. illus. by Carmen Saez. 121p. w/CD. index. Todolibros Ediciones. 2010. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-8-4980-6792-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–This dictionary presents common vocabulary for those in the early stages of English acquisition. Each page contains no more than eight words. The entries are in bold letters followed by the phonetic pronunciation in parentheses. Across from the entry is the Spanish translation and a colorful cartoon illustration. The volume also includes Halloween, Christmas, numbers, seasons of the year, and days of the week. For the zoo entry, there are seven animals that children have to name and a crossword puzzle. A good introductory resource for youngsters new to the language.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
ZEPEDA, Gwendolyn. I Kick the Ball/Pateo el balón. tr. by Gabriela Baeza Ventura. illus. by Pablo Torrecilla. unpaged. CIP. Pi ñ ata. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-688-2. LC 2010034073.
Gr 2-5–Toñito likes to spend his time kicking around a soccer ball. He likes to kick it fast and far and lets his imagination go along for the ride. He envisions himself playing in a stadium in a red jersey with his name on the back. The crowds cheer as he scores a goal, but the sound of his mother’s call brings him back to reality. Even at night, he dreams of playing soccer and jumping so high that he takes off like a rocket. When he wakes up, he knows that he can look forward to playing soccer, after homework and chores. This story will inspire children and remind them that, with determination and perseverance, dreams can and do come true. Toñito’s passion for the sport is infectious and can be easily applied to other interests. The Spanish translation is true to the English version and slightly more poetic. The colorful illustrations depict Toñito’s dreams with the fancy of any young boy.–Roberto Zapata, San Antonio Public Library, TX
