Destrabalengüerías para trabalengüeros. (Tongue Twisters for Tongue Twisterers)
Reviewed by Luis Francisco Vargas, Desert Sage Library, Phoenix P.L, AZ -- Críticas, 5/1/2008
Delgado G, Henry.
illus. by Juan Sierra. Colombia: Intermedio: Círculo de lectores, dist. by Random House. 2002. unpaged. ISBN 978-958-709-034-5. $10.95.
K-Gr 5-Though mostly known to Colombian and some South American audiences, this collection of 42 quirky and downright hilarious tongue twisters can appeal to any Spanish-speaking child. The selections vary from very difficult and nonsensical to the simple and funny. Although some regional expressions may need explanation, the illustrations that accompany the large, well-spaced text make words like choza, catrepacara, cercenó, chimibilá, and chirichispitas accessible to anyone. Many tongue twisters use identical structure with different word variations, a pattern that serves well as a model to foster creative writing for young children. Unfortunately, a few entries are dull, didactic, and politically incorrect (e.g., a brute Vasque); or reinforce negative stereotypes in the illustrations. Despite this caveat, the text is well written and most of the humorous Robert Munsch-like cartoon illustrations will appeal to young and adult audiences alike. Recommended for school and public libraries.
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