DecemberReviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Titles for Children: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Bilingual Titles

-- Library Journal, 12/15/2009

FICTION | NONFICTION | ALSO IN TRANSLATION

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CANETTI, Yanitzia. Blanca nieve y los siete gigantones. illus. by Anne Decis. 32p. 2009. Editorial Everest. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-84-241-7061-5. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 2–This Blanca Nieve (Snow White) is a beautiful “mulata” with brown skin and African hair who lives in a rural town far, far away in a tropical land. All of the characters share the motivations and outcomes of the original tale. What makes the difference here is the clever use of colloquialism and the humorous writing style. Canetti successfully combines traditional rhyming with folkloric expressions. The verses are precise and exceptionally musical, giving a hilarious tone to the reading. It is impossible not to smile and laugh throughout the story. A juicy watermelon instead of a poisonous apple, seven giant men wearing flip-flop sandals, a puddle as a talking mirror, a stepmother who is transformed into an old lady carrying a pig, and a sweet shepherd boy named Lizardo rather than a prince, plus many other great details make this twisted fairy tale a must-read. Decis transports the well-trod story to a very different setting filled with texture and colors. The visual and written elements are in perfect harmony.–Irania Macías Patterson, Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, NC

DULEMBA, Elizabeth O. Soap, Soap, Soap/Jabón, jabón, jabón. illus. by author. 32p. glossary. CIP. Raven Tree. 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934960-62-2; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-934960-63-9. LC 2009923415.

PreS-Gr 2–Hugo’s mother sends him off to the store to buy soap. On his way, the boy slips in a mud puddle, is wrongfully blamed for causing an old woman to drop her eggs, and is accosted by the school bully. Although he keeps forgetting what he is supposed to buy, sweet little Hugo perseveres, buys the soap, and navigates his way back home. His mother does not ask any questions but ushers him off to the tub. In spite of this, Hugo remains optimistic and seems happy with a hardy scrubbing. Full-color acrylics in bright oranges, yellows, greens, and earth tones fill the pages. Dulemba exhibits exceptional talent for capturing the key action, utilizing perspective and integrating human emotion into her characters’ expressions. Predominantly in English, the bilingual text intersperses basic Spanish words, which are highlighted in red ink. A useful choice for children just learning Spanish.–Cristi Jenkins, Fort Vancouver Library District, WA

GASOL, Anna & Teresa Blanch. Cuentos para crecer. illus. by Jacobo Muñiz. 64p. (Aprendiendo los valores Series). Malsinet Editor. 2009. Tr $29.95. ISBN 978-84-96708-50-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-5–This wonderfully illustrated volume opens with a foreword on the evolution of oral traditions and includes traditional stories from Africa, Asia, China, Germany, Ireland, Korea, Peru, Philippines, Sahara, Spain, and Tibet. Each short tale conveys a universal value such as equality, justice, peace, altruism, patience, and responsibility. The selection is followed by a definition of the value, a synonym or antonym, a global perspective, a quote, and a three-part reflection question. Children will enjoy everything about this book: its colorful illustrations, the stories, and the opportunity to talk about different issues. A great resource for recreational reading and for character education.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL

IRVING, Washington. La leyenda del jinete sin cabeza. retold by Blake A. Hoena. illus. by Tod Smith. 72p. (Graphic Revolve en Español Series). Stone Arch. 2009. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4342-1688-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-8–This is the Spanish version of the 2008 graphic-novel retelling of Washington Irving’s tale. The small town of Tarry has a new schoolteacher named Ichabod Crane. As he adjusts to his post, he hears rumors that a terrifying headless horseman is on the loose in the nearby valley. Crane, being a superstitious fellow, must face his fears as he crosses creepy Sleepy Hollow in search of beautiful Katrina, his pupil and the daughter of wealthy farmer Balt Van Tassel. However, Crane is not Katrina’s only suitor. The brawny Brom will stop at nothing to spend time with the striking young woman. Smith’s full-color illustrations and Hoena’s narration rejuvenate the famously spooky legend of the 1800s. Notes about Washington Irving and the real Sleepy Hollow, discussion questions, and essay ideas will extend learning beyond the story.–Jessica McClinton, King County Library System, Auburn, WA

KONDRCHEK, Jamie. My Favorite Time of Day/Mi hora preferida del día. tr. by Eida de la Vega. illus. by Joe Rasemas. 32p. (Little Jamie Bks.). Mitchell Lane. 2009. PLB $25.70. ISBN 978-1-58415-837-0. LC 2009018459.

PreS-Gr 2–Readers follow a child from the time she wakes up until she falls asleep. The rhyming text highlights events such as the start of school, lunch, and–her favorite–playing outside. Illustrated analog clocks show the position of short and long hands to help children learn how to tell time. The English to Spanish translation is not exact but conveys the story well, with its own cadence and lyricism. Unfortunately, the artwork is flat and uninteresting, and not all of the images coincide with the text. The last page shows the young girl asleep as the text describes the hour as being eight o’clock. The illustration of a dream sequence, however, indicates the time as being midnight.–Shannon Dye Gemberling, Peoria Public Library, AZ

MARIN, Cheech. Cheech y el autobús fantasma. tr. by Miriam Fabiancic. illus. by Orlando L. Ramírez. unpaged. HarperCollins/Rayo. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-113214-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 1-3–Cheech the bus driver and his “Cheecharones” embark on a supernatural adventure when he picks up students at a cemetery. When the kids disappear and haunt the bus, Cheech and the Cheecharones work together to get rid of the ghostly visitors. Their antics are not a bit scary, but are a lot of fun: wearing ghost costumes, singing unfriendly songs, and trying to throw the ghosts off the bus. Soon the real students realize how much fun it is to have the strangers around. Ramírez’s eye-catching illustrations bring the story to life with bright colors and characters full of animated expressions. An appealing storytime choice.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL

MONTERO, Mayra. Viaje a Isla de Mona. illus. by Walter Torres. 111p. (El barco de vapor series). Ediciones SM. 2009. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-19-348-0164-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-7–Unbeknownst to their parents, five preteens undertake the risky adventure of traveling to Mona’s Island from Cabo Rojo to look for and to rescue the older brother of one of the friends who was trying out for a baseball team in the Dominican Republic and was abandoned on the arid island when his boat got damaged. During their search, the kids find diverse vegetation and different animals, and the story describes the island’s biodiversity. A range of recognizable themes enriches the narrative: friendship, underground trafficking of undocumented people, the war in Iraq, urban modern music (reggaeton), children with special needs, the Dominican and Puerto Rican love for baseball, and the survival element. The beautiful illustrations are done in pen and ink. This is a great chapter book that describes nature in its full glory. This novel won the Puerto Rican Prize Varco de Vapor in 2008.–Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, CO

POEMAS A LA LUNA. illus. by Gianni de Conno. unpaged. Luis Vives Editorial. 2009. Tr $29.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7338-0. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5 Up–This collection includes works by world-renowned poets, among them Lorca, Goethe, Whitman, and Shelley. Each poem appears first in Spanish, and then in its original language, if the poem was translated. For instance, Emily Dickinson’s selection appears in Spanish and English, while Wang Wei’s appears in Spanish and Chinese. The book opens with an excerpt from Christina Rossetti’s “Is the Moon Tired?” in which the orb is personified as a tired, hardworking woman. Its Spanish translation actually sounds more musical than the original English. The hauntingly beautiful full-page digital paintings have an ethereal quality that transports readers into the lyrical poetry. The Moon appears in each illustration, sometimes as a crescent, sometimes full, and sometimes as a woman’s face. This oversize treasury will be perfect for a world-poetry unit, a lesson on the art of translation, or special poetry programs at schools and libraries.–Rebecca Hickman, Sherman Library at NSU, Fort Lauderdale, FL

POLETTE, Keith. Moon Over the Mountain/Luna sobre la montaña. illus. by Michael Kress-Russick. 31p. glossary. Raven Tree. 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-932748-85-7. LC 2009923416.

PreS-Gr 2–This retelling of an Asian folktale is set in the American Southwest. A poor, tired stonecutter is bored with his lot in life. One day he wishes that he were a rich merchant, and the Spirit of the Desert makes it happen. When he discovers that the sun has wilted his fruits and vegetables, Agipito wishes that he were the sun. When the wind causes a dust storm and blots out the sun, he says, “Oh, how I wish I was el viento,” and again his wish is granted. Next, he becomes a mountain. Agipito finally finds happiness when he wishes to become a coyote because now “his vida was no longer set in stone.” The text is in English with a scattering of Spanish words. Although it is easy to discern what the words mean in context, there is also a glossary, but not all of the words in it include a definitive article. The digitally produced, full-page illustrations are rendered in a palette of slate blues, teals, and earth tones. The artwork has a wonderfully surreal quality and seems to leap off the page. Pair this title with Pat Mora’s Listen to the Desert/Oye al desierto (Clarion, 1994) and Ann Whitford Paul’s Mañana Iguana (Holiday House, 2005) for a desert-themed bilingual storytime program.–Rebecca Hickman, Sherman Library at NSU, Fort Lauderdale, FL

RASEMAS, Joe & Patrice Sherman. What It’s Like to Be Ryan Howard/Qué se siente al ser Ryan Howard. 32p. (What It’s Like to Be.../Qué se siente al ser... Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. index. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2009. PLB $25.70. ISBN 978-1-58415-845-5. LC 2009019618.

Gr-2-5–Young readers follow the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman as he prepares for a typical game. The day-in-the-life story is accompanied by bright, full-color photographs with highlighted photo extras that add visual excitement to the quick read. The bilingual English and Spanish side-by-side text provides a balanced look at some of the player’s statistics and career highlights while focusing on daily activities like eating breakfast and playing video games. The authors promote a healthy lifestyle throughout by not only mentioning the nutritious food eaten and exercises performed by the star athlete but also by describing their purpose and importance. This book will be a great addition to children’s collections and an important one for biography reports. With an index, bibliography, and list of recommended sources for more information in both English and Spanish, this volume will be a hit.–Angelica G. Fortin, San Diego County Library, CA

RAU, Dana Meachen. Animals/Los animales. ISBN 978-0-7614-4787-0. LC 2009019018.
––––. Day and Night/El día y la noche. ISBN 978-0-7614-4788-7. LC 2009019019.
––––. Food Chains/Las cadenas alimentarias. ISBN 978-0-7614-4789-4. LC 2009019020.
––––. Plants/Las plantas. ISBN 978-0-7614-4790-0. LC 2009019021.
––––. Seasons/Las estaciones. ISBN 978-0-7614-4791-7. LC 2009019023.
––––. Water/El agua. ISBN 978-0-7614-4792-4. LC 2009019025.
ea vol: 32p. (Bookworms: Nature’s Cycles/Los ciclos de la naturaleza Series). photos. index. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2009. PLB $22.79.

Gr 1-4–These titles describe the basic cycles of nature and are illustrated with beautiful, full-color photography. Animals feed instinctively, which serves a larger purpose than merely satisfying hunger; water evaporates and comes back to Earth in one of the most perfect recycling processes; animals and plants are born and grow in life cycles; seasons change; and both day and night are welcome parts of existence. The texts are written in a direct and easy-to-grasp language in both versions. The Spanish translations have mirrored the English originals without losing detail while keeping their cadence. They are great selections for individual reading and classroom discussions, as well as concept books for bilingual storytimes. Definite “must haves” for Earth Day celebrations.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Broward County, FL

SMITH, Sian. El invierno. ISBN 978-1-4329-3529-0. LC 2009010993.
––––. El otoño. ISBN 978-1-4329-3528-3. LC 2009010991.
––––. El verano. ISBN 978-1-4329-3527-6. LC 2009010992. 
––––. La primavera. ISBN 978-1-4329-3526-9. LC 2009010990. 
ea vol: 24p. (Las estaciones Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Heinemann/Bellota. 2009. PLB $20.71.

PreS-Gr 1–This beginning-reader series offers basic information. The same simple “what, where, when” questions are posed in the same order in each book. Each page contains a sentence of seven words or less. Families of various ethnicities are featured, and young readers will enjoy looking at the sharp, colorful photographs. Even though they are mostly stock images, their quality is consistent throughout. Children living in areas that do not experience marked differences in climate will enjoy learning about winter snow, autumn leaves, spring flowers, and summer beach weather.–Rebecca Hickman, Sherman Library at NSU, Fort Lauderdale, FL

THOMPSON, Kate. El salteador de caminos. tr. by Adriana Acevedo. illus. by Jonny Duddle. 100p. (Alta Delta. Serie Verde). CIP. Edelvives. 2009. pap. $13.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7270-3. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-5–This suspenseful tale will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It begins with a young beggar approaching a stranger on the street. The boy tells the anonymous man how he came to be in the possession of the horse that he is minding and describes his encounters with a variety of characters. The book evokes myriad emotions as the narrator guides readers through his different experiences, culminating in an inconclusive cliff-hanger ending. This beginning chapter book has a large font and abundant pen-and-ink illustrations. Although published in Spain, the vocabulary is not particularly peninsular, making it equally appropriate for a wider Latino and Latin American audience as well.–Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA

VERNE, Jules. Viaje al centro de la tierra. retold by Davis Miller. illus. by Greg Rebis. 72p. (Graphic Revolve en Español Series). Stone Arch. 2009. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4342-1687-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-9–The passionate scientist Otto Lidenbrock, his intuitive and romantic nephew Axel, and enigmatic Hans Bjelke are brought back from the 19th century in this graphic-novel adaptation of Verne’s classic. The sienna cover decorated with encrypted characters and the wide range of earth tones used in its six chapters will give readers a sense of traveling to the center of the Earth. The cinematic adventure begins at Lidenbrock’s library with Otto and Axel reading by candlelight and trying to decipher an antique runic manuscript. As the characters descend to the center of the Earth, the colors of the background layers become more dramatic. There, at the end of their voyage, they encounter a fantasy land filled with rich purples and an entirely different reality in which the extraordinary abounds: an underground lake, a forest of giant mushrooms, extinct animals, and exotic flowers. Axel tells the story, and his narration appears in italics and is framed in small boxes, differentiating it from the other dialogue balloons. Resembling a diary, this format allows readers to connect with the tone of Verne’s classic. The Spanish translation is fluid and correct, with the exception of Lidenbrock’sproblematic use of the second person.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL

WHITE, Amy. ¡A la búsqueda del tesoro! illus. by Eugenia Nobati. ISBN 978-1-60396-418-0.
––––. Estoy orgullosa de mi pasado. illus. by María de Jesús Alvarez. ISBN 978-1-60396-421-0. 
––––. No necesito paraguas. illus. by Sandra Lavandeira. ISBN 978-1-60396-419-7. 
––––. Te presento a Jacobo. illus. by María Wenicke. ISBN 978-1-60396-415-9. 
––––. Un día sin tele. illus. by Marcela Calderón. ISBN 978-1-60396-409-8. 
––––. Una fiesta saludable. illus. by Mima Castro. ISBN 978-1-60396-417-3. 
ea vol: tr. by Lada J. Kratky. 16p. (Fácil de leer Series). Santillana. 2009. pap. $5.99. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 2–These fun, easy-reader titles introduce children to universal principles and values such as tolerance, patience, healthy eating, and cultural diversity through simple but touching stories about daily-life situations. In Un día sin tele, children discover the joy of playing when their grandmother turns off the television for one day. In Estoy orgullosa de mi pasado, a Native American child introduces her special traditions. In No necesito paraguas, a little girl can’t understand why her mother wants her to take an umbrella on a sunny day. They watch a weather report together, and the youngster is finally convinced that she might need the umbrella when she sees the gray clouds. The selection of different illustrators sets apart each story. All of them convey White’s clear story lines, but Lavandeira’s blue and purple watercolors excel and enhance the weather story. The Spanish in these adaptations is impeccable. Excellent selections to use in classrooms to expand on curriculum topics, at literacy workshops for Spanish-speaking families, and to complement storytimes.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL

WINTER, Jonah. Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx/La juez que creció en el Bronx. tr. by Argentina Palacios Ziegler. illus. by Edel Rodriquez. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0303-1. LC 2009031659.

K-Gr 3–Winter chronicles the life of the first Latina Supreme Court justice, from her childhood in the Bronx to her historic nomination. The tone is upbeat from its opening line: “You never know what can happen.” Sotomayor certainly had a lot of obstacles to overcome: poverty, juvenile diabetes, and the death of her father when she was nine. But Winter clearly identifies hard work, determination, and a loving extended family as the keys to her success. The author is honest about how her socioeconomic background sometimes made her feel alienated at Princeton University. The emphasis, though, is on her ability to thrive “like a flowering vine that would not stop growing.” Images of flowers blooming unify the text and the illustrations. Rodriguez’s warm yellows and oranges also underscore the optimism of Winter’s text. Moreover, the variety of media used (pastel, acrylic, spray paint, and oil-based paints) perfectly echoes the rich textures of Sotomayor’s life. The Spanish translation is excellent and makes the book accessible to Latino families. Sotomayor’s story can inspire children of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds to work hard and pursue educational and professional success.–Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

ZEFERINO HUERVO, Zenén. Zoóngoro Bailongo: Cuentos de raíz Jarocha. illus. by Julio Torres Lara. 75p. glossary. Ediciones el Naranjo. 2009. Tr $20.95. ISBN 978-607-7661-01-6. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4 Up–In this collection of five short stories set in the Jarocho region of Veracruz, Mexico, the renowned musician, poet, and cultural advocate takes readers into a magical world where a lioness, a mosquito, a chaquiste, a turtle, a wild pig, an armadillo, and a donkey are transformed into string instruments. A wise old cedar named Cedronio is the one responsible for these metamorphoses. He is devoted to saving humanity from the silence monster that threatens and devours the forests: the basura trash. And it is through music that he plans to deliver his message. Each short story explains in poetic and vivid language the birth of the traditional guitars jaranas named for the animals that resemble their shapes. Torres Lara’s imaginative illustrations, which contribute to the surreal ambiance of an enchanted land, the originality in Zeferino’s voice, and the variety of cultural elements all enrich this collection. The inclusion of riddles and a glossary round out this valuable storytelling resource.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL