November Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Titles for Children: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Bilingual Titles
-- Library Journal, 11/15/2009
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These reviews, which will appear in the December issue of School Library Journal, were selected and evaluated by a team chaired by Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL.
ADA, Alma Flor & F. Isabel Campoy, sels. ¡Muu, Moo!: Rimas de animales/Animal Nursery Rhymes. tr. by by Rosalma Zubizarreta. illus. by Viví Escrivá. 48p. HarperCollins/Rayo. Mar. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-134613-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-134614-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–The creators of ¡Pío Peep! (2003) and Merry Navidad! (2007, both HarperCollins) have put together another treasury of Spanish nursery rhymes. ¡Muu, Moo! is a collection of animal rhymes that includes such beloved favorites as “Una paloma Blanca” and “Debajo de un botón, “ along with original verses by both selectors. Rather than a verbatim translation of the Spanish, the English versions retain the rhythm and musicality of the originals. Escrivá’s watercolor illustrations include fun details such as a flea dressed up as a bride, a smiling snail, a frog with a big fly stuck in its mouth, and a dancing monkey wearing a frilly yellow dress. In addition to being a perfect resource for bilingual programs, this book will be enjoyed as a bedtime read-aloud.–Rebecca Hickman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
ALLSOP, Marcus. Nos gustan nuestros dientes/We Like Our Teeth. tr. by Jocelyn del Río. illus. by author. 32p. Hohm. 2009. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-890772-89-5. LC 2008041324.
PreS-Gr 2–This introduction to the basics of dental hygiene begins with a note to parents, teachers, or caregivers, and then addresses the purpose of teeth and good dental care. The English text is in rhyme. Allsop’s vivid illustrations show animals brushing and flossing, which should tickle children. A useful addition for most collections.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
ANASTASIO, Antonio. Un agujero en el ala. tr. by Miriam García de la Viuda. illus. by Caridad Pérez Aznar. unpaged. Encuentro. 2008. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-84-7490-950-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–A few days before Christmas, Luis takes his son to the city to enjoy the dazzling window decorations. He also takes Carlos to church; he wants him to feel the spirit of Christmas and the birth of Jesus within his heart. Upon entering the building, the child sees two angels. One is perfect, but the other has a hole in its wing, and he wants to know what happened to him. His father tells him to be good and he will tell him the story after the mass is over. During the sermon, the father falls asleep and the story of Joaquin, the youngest angel in the group assigned to protect Jesus and his parents as they flee from Bethlehem to Egypt, comes to him in a dream. This is a charming and different holiday story, suitable for sharing in small groups or reading aloud.–Diana Borrego Martinez, Salinas, CA
BRADFIELD, Jolly Roger. Un perfecto caballero para dragones. illus. by author. 64p. Encuentro. 2009. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-84-7490-974-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–A witty story told in humorous language and illustrated with watercolors rich in detail. Cedric is kind, gentle, and considerate. He is also the son of the king, who is an expert dragon hunter. One day, after many years without any dragons in the kingdom, one appears. Now Cedric has to overcome his own unwillingness to fight and his mother’s resistance to letting him go, so he sets off with his father’s sword and his almost blind and half deaf horse. Bradfield draws expressive and endearing characters, and the tale has a satisfying ending. There is plenty here to engage children’s imaginations and to show them that sometimes heroism just happens.–Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, Jackson, WY
DRISCOLL, Laura. El chico del despegue. illus. by Rebecca Thornburgh. (Math Matters en Español Series). ISBN 978-1-57565-267-2. LC 2007026581.
DUSSLING, Jennifer. El misterio del arco iris. illus. by Barry Gott. (Science Solves It! en Español Series). ISBN 978-1-57565-283-2. LC 2008025642.
GABRIEL, Nat. Sam y sus cuadrados de zapatos. illus. by Ron Fritz. (Math Matters en Español Series). ISBN 978-1-57565-276-4. LC 2008025644.
HASKINS, Lori. Locura por las mariposas. illus. by Jerry Smath. (Science Solves It! en Español Series). ISBN 978-1-57565-284-9. LC 2008025643.
ea vol: tr. by Alma B. Ramírez. 32p. CIP. Kane. 2009. pap. $5.95.
Gr 1-3–These titles invite children to discover the wonders of nature, to become young scientists and problem solvers, and to think outside the box. The concepts presented are exciting, relevant, and fun. The stories are well written and present a problem or dilemma that pushes readers to be creative and resourceful. These books provide an excellent way to support and extend reading, math, and science skills and include appended activities to reinforce the concepts. The eye-catching illustrations, done in vibrant colors, add to the appeal.–Irania Macías Patterson, Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, NC
EDWARDS, Roberta. ¿Quién fue el rey Tut? illus. by True Kelley. 103p. ISBN 978-1-60396-422-7.
FRADIN, Dennis Brindell. ¿Quién fue Tomás Jefferson? illus. by John O’Brien. 101p. ISBN 978-1-60396-425-8.
KRAMER, Sydelle. ¿Quién fue Fernando de Magallanes? illus. by Elizabeth Wolf. 108p. ISBN 978-1-60396-426-5.
MCDONOUGH, Yona Zeldis. ¿Quién fue Harriet Tubman? illus. by Nancy Harrison. 105p. ISBN 978-1-60396-423-4.
PRINCE, April Jones. ¿Quién fue Mark Twain? illus. by John O’Brien. 100p. ISBN 978-1-60396-424-1.
ea vol: (¿Quién fue? Series). chron. Santillana. 2009. pap. $7.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–These well-translated volumes immediately connect readers with the subject by first providing background information. The authors use clear and plentiful illustrations, maps, and diagrams to explain the unfamiliar and extend knowledge. The balanced presentations relate aspects of each personality in simple terms. In Tut, Edwards mentions details of the latest King Tut’s research. Fradin includes the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Prince includes interesting details in Twain such as the origin of Samuel Clemens’s writing pseudonym. The books present a clear picture of their subjects and the times in which they lived. Solid additions.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
FERRI, Francesca. Cucú–¡Te veo! Mascotas. illus. by author. unpaged. Barron’s Educational. 2009. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-6972-4. LC 2009921335.
PreS–Children are invited to join in this simple peek-a-boo game and lift-the-flap story. The text repeats itself on each page, making it an easy reader for Spanish learners. The colorful cartoon animals are large and easily identifiable: a dog, cat, rabbit, parrot, goldfish, bunny, turtle, and hamster have their faces covered on each page and children must lift the flap to reveal them. In the surprise ending, children find a mirrored picture that will reveal their own faces. This is a fun participatory book for hands-on reading or group sharing at a baby/toddler/preschool storytime.–Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Astronautas. ISBN 978-1-4329-3509-2. LC 2009011033.
––––. El sol. ISBN 978-1-4329-3504-7. LC 2009010995.
––––. La luna. ISBN 978-1-4329-3506-1. LC 2009010996.
––––. La tierra. ISBN 978-1-4329-3505-4. LC 2009011038.
––––. Las estrellas. ISBN 978-1-4329-3508-5. LC 2009011032.
––––. Los planetas. ISBN 978-1-4329-3507-8. LC 2009010998.
ea vol: 24p. (El espacio Series). photos. glossary. Heinemann/Bellota. 2009. PLB $20.71.
K-Gr 3–These introductory titles explain aspects of the universe in short, direct sentences and include full-color photographs. They explain that the sun is a huge ball of gas whose light and heat are needed to sustain life on Earth, that water makes Earth appear blue, and other simple facts. A basic question that can be easily answered by attentive readers appears at the end of each book. There are also activity recommendations for parents and teachers as well as glossaries that will expand youngsters’ vocabularies, adding to the sense of achievement. These are great selections for individual reading, classroom sharing, science projects, and Earth Day celebrations.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Weston, FL
JIMÉNEZ, Francisco. Más allá de mí. 214p. photos. reprods. Houghton. 2009. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-24174-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–In this touching memoir, the author relates how he and his family illegally immigrated to the United States and were later returned to Mexico. Not giving up, he and his older brother came back again, followed by their family; several years later they were granted legal residence. Through much sacrifice from all members of the family, Jiménez attended university, where he met people who encouraged him to go beyond an undergraduate degree. Despite facing financial, health, and other issues, the author shows what he was able to accomplish with the unity and undivided love of his family. Photographs add warmth to the book by putting faces to the characters for whom readers develop deep appreciation. A testament to a strong faith in God and in Jiménez’s talent, written in a relaxed manner, this is a most uplifting read.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Weston, FL
LOSSANI, Chiara. El nacimiento de las estacionies: El mito de Deméter y Perséfone. illus. by Octavia Monaco. unpaged. Ediciones el Naranjo. 2009. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-968-5389-62-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-10–A brilliant mythological explanation of the cycles of nature is retold in a modern, compelling style. Demeter, the goddess of wheat, loves her daughter above all else and wishes things would never change, but Core grows up as a beautiful and determined young goddess with a mind of her own. Demeter, to avoid unnecessary confrontation, indulges her daughter and goes alone to supervise the harvest. Hades, the god of the underworld, who has been secretly watching Core, takes advantage of the situation and snatches her away. Disaster befalls Earth and Zeus orders Hades to return the young goddess to her mother. But after eating a pomegranate, Core has changed–even her name is different. Demeter complains to Zeus, who rules that Core, now Persephone, should divide her time, thus bringing the seasons to Earth. The translation is exquisite, and the elegant, stylized illustrations in powerful earth colors make this an intriguing and attractive book for individual reading or classrooms.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Weston, FL
MARTÍNEZ, Rueben. Once Upon a Time: Traditional Latin American Tales/Había una vez: Cuentos tradiciones latinoamericanos. tr. by David Unger. illus. by Raúl Colón. 96p. HarperCollins/Rayo. Mar. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-06-146895-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 5–“La cucaracha Martina,” “El gallo de bodas,” “La Madreselva,” and “La flor de lirolay” are among the classics of Latin American lore presented here in delightful bilingual versions. Martínez retells seven stories in pleasant, uncomplicated prose and nothing has been lost in Unger’s masterful translation. Readers will delight in Martina, clad in her best garb, happily dancing the night away with elegant and courteous Pérez and will experience a chill when the mother of the jungle comes out to meet the man destroying her home. Colón’s vivid mixed-media illustrations are large and colorful, and have an appropriate touch of the dramatic, seizing readers’ attention. This handsome book will enchant youngsters and adults alike. It’s an excellent resource for Latino storytelling sessions.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Weston, FL
MOORE-MALLINOS, Jennifer. El abuelito ha cambiado. illus. by Marta Fabrega. 36p. (Vive y aprende Series). Barron’s. 2009. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-4287-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–A boy and girl do not understand when their beloved grandfather begins to forget birthdays and make mistakes while doing routine tasks. Their mother explains to them that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The children learn to identify the symptoms and explore some ways to help their loved one with his condition, like viewing family photos and visiting former vacation spots. Fabrega’s colorful, simple cartoonlike drawings allow readers to follow the story and empathize with the characters. A “Guide for Parents” provides accurate information concerning the disease and a list of resources, along with a list of early signs, and symptoms in later stages. In addition, the authors address children’s possible feelings, fears, and confusion about the condition and suggest activities to engage them in memory games.–Jennifer Battle, Texas State University, San Marcos
MORA, Pat. Gracias/Thanks. tr. by Adriana Domínguez. illus. by John Parra. unpaged. CIP. Lee & Low. 2009. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-258-0. LC 2009013060.
K-Gr 2–A boy recounts the many things he is thankful for, like his time at the beach and the bees that don’t sting him when he is outside playing. The poetic writing flows in both Spanish and English and carries a sense of happiness brought by the simple things in life. The cheery and brightly colored acrylic illustrations are full of fun details and add depth to the text. Multicultural characters are revealed page by page, but unless readers are paying close attention, they might not pick up on the boy’s Mexican-American heritage. This delightful bilingual book has universal appeal and would be a wonderful choice for library storytimes or classroom read-alouds as the “giving thanks” theme lends itself to holidays and social topics. The author’s endnote challenges readers to list the things for which they are thankful. A must buy for all libraries looking to add to their children’s Spanish collections.–Shannon Dye Gemberling, Peoria Public Library, AZ
MORA, Pat. Wiggling Pockets/Los bolsillos saltarines. illus. by Maribel Suarez. unpaged. (My Family/Mi familia Series). HarperCollins/Rayo. 2009. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-085047-0; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-085048-7. LC 2008015948.
PreS-Gr 1–A family enjoys a summer day in their backyard. When they go into the house, Danny’s father asks him why his pockets are wiggling. Soon frogs are jumping around the kitchen, into Grandma’s lap, onto his sister’s head, and into a freshly baked cherry pie. The frogs are subsequently captured and released unharmed into their natural environment. Mora utilizes language appropriate for building pre-reading skills. English and Spanish texts fill each page with simple, clear sentences. Suarez’s watercolor illustrations capture a delightfully humorous moment found within a traditional family setting. The clean compositions feature bright greens, pastels, oranges, and yellows. Smiling, rounded faces with small brown eyes and simple noses give the illustrations an almost cartoonlike appearance. This book is an excellent selection for use in bilingual storytimes or with beginning English or Spanish classes.–Cristi Jenkins, Fort Vancouver Library District, WA
POLLACK, Pam & Meg Belviso. ¡No puedo estar quieto!: Mi vida con ADHD. illus. by Marta Fabrega. 36p. (Vive y aprende Series). Barron’s. 2009. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-4420-2. LC 2009927792.
Gr 2-4–The cartoonlike style of the illustrations draws youngsters into the life of a boy who suffers from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In school, while learning mathematics, he cannot wait for his turn. While playing kickball, he runs to first base without kicking the ball. And at home, he forgets to make his bed like he is supposed to. The youngster’s supportive mother realizes that he needs medical attention and an organization program to keep him on track. As a result, he seems to get a little better every day. His kickball team even wins the game at recess. Despite the oversimplification, this book introduces the disorder. Activities involving games that require focus and concentration are appended. Symptoms that may indicate that a child has ADHD are listed in the “Guide for Parents,” along with advice on how adults can help children cope with this condition.–Jennifer Battle, Texas State University, San Marcos
SOMMER, Carl. The Ugly Caterpillar/La oruga fea. illus. by Greg Budwine. 48p. Advance. 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57537-171-9. LC 2008001178.
K-Gr 3–This bilingual story touches on the themes of friendship and respect. Speckles the spider, Crumbs the cricket, and Annie the ant feel differently about the prospect of Katy the caterpillar becoming their friend because of the way she looks. While Speckles and Crumbs are more focused on Katy’s outer beauty, Annie appreciates her inner self. The story concludes with Katy changing into a beautiful butterfly. The vibrantly colored illustrations are lively and inviting, but they are a bit overshadowed on the page. The text is placed in randomly dispersed white space above and below the art, and the English text is highlighted in bold purple boxes. Despite a slightly unattractive layout, the book’s positive message outweighs this design flaw.–Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA
SUKACZER, Verónica. Nunca confíes en una computadora. illus. by Ricardo Fuhrmann. 126p. Alfaguara Infantil. 2009. pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-607-11-0108-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–Sukaczer offers a series of science fiction short stories that revolve around computers and their mysterious effects on the humans who operate them. Some of the selections have modern-day settings while others take place in the future. In “Jamás podré alcanzarte,” Osiris and Isis develop a love relationship online, then Osiris disappears in cyberspace and Isis sets out to find him. In “Cosa e mandinga,” readers learn what happens when a small village gets its first computer. In “El día en que me mató una computadora,” someone is erasing students from existence. In “El juego del destino,” in the year 2196, will computers determine our destiny? In “Nunca confíes en una computadora,” readers learn that they should never trust a computer, especially one that tells them it doesn’t want to be alone. These and other stories fill this collection that delves into the psychological effects of technology. Peculiar and fantastic illustrations contribute to the enigmatic nature of the stories, sweeping readers deep into cyberspace.–Jessica McClinton, King County Library System, Auburn, WA
WILLIAMS, Zella. Coqui Frogs and Other Latin American Frogs/Coquíes y otras ranas de Latinoamérica. ISBN 978-1-4042-8148-6. LC 2009006287.
––––. Howler Monkeys and Other Latin American Monkeys/Monos aulladores y otros monos de Latinoamérica. ISBN 978-1-4042-8127-1. LC 2009006286.
––––. Jaguars and Other Latin American Wild Cats/Jaguares y otros felinos de Latinoamérica. ISBN 978-1-4042-8125-7. LC 2009001849.
––––. Llamas and Other Latin American Camels/Llamas y otros camélidos se Latinoamérica. ISBN 978-1-4042-8128-8. LC 2009008644.
ea vol: tr. by Ma. Pilar Obregón. 24p. (Animals of Latin America/Animales de Latinoamérica Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2009. PLB $21.25.
Gr 1-3–These titles offer basic information about the animals of Latin America. The texts, which consist of a few sentences per page, are clearly written, informative, and lively. The English appears on top, with the excellent Spanish translation below. The large font will appeal to beginning readers. Each page of text faces a full-page photograph of the featured animal along with a fun fact. The quality of the stock photography and printing is adequate, but not necessarily artistic. Nevertheless, children will enjoy looking at the close-up images of howling monkeys, soaring macaws, and other exotic creatures. One drawback to the series is the lack of a clear explanation of which countries make up Latin America. For this reason, it will be difficult for children to use the books for country reports.–Rebecca Hickman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
