February Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Titles for Children: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Bilingual Titles
Chaired by Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL February 15, 2011BRODE, Robyn. January/Enero. ISBN 978-1-4339-1929-9. LC 2009012682.
–––– . February/Febrero. ISBN 978-1-4339-1930-5. LC 2009013359.
–––– . March/Marzo. ISBN 978-1-4339-1931-2. LC 2009013361.
–––– . April/Abril. ISBN 978-1-4339-1932-9. LC 2009013362.
–––– . May/Mayo. ISBN 978-1-4339-1933-6. LC 2009013363.
––––. June/Junio. ISBN 978-1-4339-1943-3. LC 200901398.
–––– . July/Julio. ISBN 978-1-4339-1935-0. LC 2009013984.
–––– . August/Agosto. ISBN 978-1-4339-1936-1. LC 2009014212.
–––– . September/Septiembre. ISBN 978-1-4339-1937-4. LC 2009013988.
–––– . October/Octubre. ISBN 978-1-4339-1938-1. LC 2009013989.
–––– . November/Noviembre. ISBN 978-1-4339-1939-8. LC 2009013990.
–––– . December/Diciembre. ISBN 978-1-4339-1940-4. LC 2009013993.
ea vol: tr. by Tatiana Acosta & Guillermo Gutiérrez. 24p. (Months of the Year/Meses del año series). photos. bibliog. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weekly Reader. 2010. PLB $22.
PreK-Gr 3-These titles offer interesting facts and key concepts about the months of the year. Children learn about their sequence, number of days, weather and seasons, holidays, special events, and important celebrations. The texts are clear and simple and provide practical information that would help children connect these concepts to their lives and circumstances. A predictable layout, text in English with an excellent Spanish translation on the left side and full-page color photographs of multicultural children engaged in diverse activities on the right make these titles suitable for beginning readers. Recommended for Spanish-speaking children learning English as a second language.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
BURSZTYN , Dina. The Land of the Lost Things/El país de las cosas perdidas . illus. by author. unpaged. Piñata. May 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-690-5. LC 2010033952.
K-Gr 4 –A boy sits down to draw, only to notice that his blue pencil is missing. He wonders about its fate. Looking inside his empty pencil box, he sees a thin ray of light and goes through a crack and enters the Land of Lost Things. He travels through the Forest of Lost Blue Pencils and sees objects that have been gone for some time–a golden button, a green comb, etc.–until he is lost himself. He passes the Mountain of Lost Mittens, the Garden of Lost Umbrellas, and a Herd of Lost Socks. The story is circular and when the boy looks through the hole in a sock, he makes his way back, looking at the interior of his pencil box. He never finds his blue pencil, but he starts drawing with a brown one and wonders where it will take him. Bursztyn sustains her clever and imaginative text with playful and dreamlike illustrations. This beautiful bilingual book stands out for its artistic design and the balance between the author’s verbal and visual message. Both the English and Spanish texts make for enjoyable read-alouds.– Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
COLE, Joanna. Soy una hermana mayor. ISBN 978-0-06-190063-1.
–––– . Soy un hermano mayor. ISBN 978-0-06-190066-2.
ea vol: tr. by Andrea Montejo. illus. by Rosalinda Kightley. unpaged. HarperCollins/Rayo. 2010. Tr $6.99. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–These books created specifically for older siblings may aid in their adjustment to no longer being an only child or the baby in the household. Cole uses language that any young child can understand, emphasizing the importance and difference a big sister or brother can make. All the while, she lets readers know what babies can and cannot do: “Too small to walk, too small to speak, too small to play with toys, and definitely too small to eat pizza, apples, or ice cream.” The illustrations are done in soothing playful colors and show snapshots of a happy family adjusting to their new addition. Children can gaze at the various details of each picture and connect with their own real-life experience. On the other hand, parents can glean some ideas to ease youngsters into the idea. Tips include looking through pictures, helping to feed the baby, and having family picnics. Useful titles to help young children connect with being a big brother or big sister.–Verónica Corral, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC
DICCIONARIO ESPAÑOL-INGLÉS. illus. by Eduardo Trujillo. 248p. (Primera biblioteca series). index. Susaeta. 2010. Tr $9.95. ISBN 978-84-305-4226-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3-This picture dictionary introduces common vocabulary. Spanish entry words are printed in black, and English equivalents are in red. Spanish terms include gender, feminine and masculine, e.g., “adulto, -a/adult.” English entries include irregular plurals, e.g., “dado, -s/die, dice.” Each page presents up to four words followed by cartoon illustrations that vividly portray the word and its usage. Then bilingual sentences describe it, e.g., for “abajo/down,” “Las gafas estan abajo en el suelo./The glasses are down on the floor.” Some illustrations are half page or full page and include labels, expanding on the word meaning. For instance, the words “color/colour” are accompanied by an illustration that presents diverse objects with labels of 11 different colors in both languages, e.g., “verde/green,” “rojo/red,” “azul/blue,” etc. The book’s small size makes it easy to carry in backpacks. Useful for children learning Spanish and for Spanish speakers learning English.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
GARCÍA DOMÍNGUEZ, Ramón. El niño gol. illus. by Emilio Urberuaga. unpaged. (Ala delta. Serie roja series). Luis Vives Editorial. 2010. pap. $11.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7368-7. LC 526027028.
Gr 2-4–Quique’s father is a radio sports commentator and continuously encourages his son to get top grades. For him, having an outstanding academic record is the same as scoring a soccer goal. Quique puts all his efforts into performing well, until he scores a 10. But when he tells his dad about his accomplishment, the reaction is not what he was expecting. Quique feels sad until he discovers that his father has a big surprise for him. Urberuaga’s tender, cartoonlike, double-page drawings reinforce the story of Quique’s desire to earn his father’s approval, the man’s love for soccer, and the satisfying ending. This simple story touches the interior world of a child and is ideal for kids who love sports, especially soccer. The early chapter book’s small size, layout, and brief text on each page make it suitable for classroom read-alouds to spark children’s imagination or to read independently .–Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, Jackson, WY
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Las casas de los insectos. ISBN 978-1-4329-4325-7; ISBN 978-1-4329-4332-5. LC 2010007337.
–––– . Las crías de los insectos. ISBN 978-1-4329-4327-1; ISBN 978-1-4329-4334-9. LC number unavailable.
–––– . Las partes de los insectos. ISBN 978-1-4329-4322-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-4329-5. LC number unavailable.
–––– . Los alimentos de los insectos. ISBN 978-1-4329-4326-4; ISBN 978-1-4329-4333-2. LC 2010007338.
–––– . Los insectos en movimiento. ISBN 978-1-4329-4324-0; ISBN 978-1-4329-4331-8. LC 2010007336.
–––– . Los sentidos de los insectos. tr. by Double O. Publishing Services. ISBN 978-1-4329-4323-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-4330-1. LC number unavailable.
ea vol: 24p. (Comparar insectos series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Heinemann/Bellota. 2010. PLB $21.50; pap. $5.99.
PreS-Gr 1-These titles introduce children to the curious and always fascinating world of insects through basic vocabulary, repetition of simple sentences, large photographs, and suggested activities to do before and after reading. Each title opens with the same statement: there are many types of bugs. Then each one takes a different direction. Children learn about various insects’ growth and development; habitats; food; movement on land, in water, and in the air; and senses. Each title closes with an invitation to observe the bugs featured. Pair these books with any of the many endearing insect stories by Eric Carle, also available in Spanish, for a thematic storytime.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
HILLERT, Margaret. Es un buen juego, querido dragón/It’s a Good Game, Dear Dragon. ISBN 978-1-59953-362-9.
–––– . Juega, juega, juega, querido dragón/Play, Play, Play, Dear Dragon. ISBN 978-1-59953-363-6.
–––– . Querido dragón pasa el día con papá/Dear Dragon’s Day with Father. ISBN 978-1-59953-360-5.
–––– . Querido dragón va a la biblioteca/Dear Dragon Goes to the Library. ISBN 978-1-59953-361-2.
ea vol: tr. by Eida Del Risco. illus. by David Schimmell. 29p. (Beginning-to-Read Series). Norwood House. 2010. PLB $19.93. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-Sportsmanship, friendships, and family are the underlying themes in these bilingual easy readers about a boy who has fun with his pet dragon. Full-bleed, entertaining cartoons provide essential sight clues. Hillert uses very simple language and repetitive phrases, adding to the books’ worth as great educational tools. Although the Spanish translations are accurate, they include words that are not commonly used among Spanish speakers. For example, the sentence “go, go, go” is translated “avanza, avanza, avanza,” instead of “apurate, apurate, apurate.”–Patricia Bashir, The Brentwood Library, TN
LUNA, James. The Runaway Piggy/El cochinito fugitivo. tr. by Carolina Villarroel. illus. by Laura Lacámara. unpaged. CIP. Arte P ú blico. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-586-1. LC 2009053971.
K-Gr 3-In this version of “The Gingerbread Boy,” a pig cookie runs away from the neighborhood panaderia . Readers get a tour of the area as it runs away from the city bus, the owner of a local thrift store, the flower shop, and a coffee shop. The ending provides the one original twist, with a young girl who finally captures the treat turning out to be the daughter of the owner of the panaderia. She gives the pig cookie to her teacher. This adaptation of the familiar folktale with a Latino setting doesn’t really add to the original tale. The retelling is a bit text-heavy, exacerbated by two languages on the same page. Because of so much text, the creative design possibilities are limited and may possibly turn off some potential readers. The Spanish title, which translates as The Fugitive Pig, is infinitely better than the English one. That said, the illustrations give a real sense of action, with the pig being chased by an ever-increasing number of people, and his expressions are suitably mischievous. The translation is serviceable, though not particularly imaginative. A recipe for piggy cookies is included. An additional choice where bilingual books are in demand.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO
MAESTRO, Pepe. El gato con botas. illus. by Javier Zabala. unpaged. (Colorín Colorado series). w/CD. Edelvives. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7385-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-5-A retelling of Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale. Nothing has been changed in this story of a dying miller who leaves a paltry inheritance to his three sons, the worst lot going to the youngest, who is left the family cat. Zabala provides a spare visual rendition of the clever feline whose trickster flare turns his poor master into royalty. The primarily cubist illustrations present sketches of stick figures and lollipop trees in a lackluster palette. Youngsters may identify with the childlike drawings that they could produce themselves. However, this shrewd cat deserves a more vibrant portrayal to match his wits. The CD includes an animated telling of the tale, a read-along version that has audio signals for each page turn, and a retelling of the tale with phrases missing and short pauses for readers to fill in the missing words. Children in the United States will enjoy the storyteller’s Castilian accent on the audio but may need additional explanations about the vosotros verb form. This endearing tale itself is a must for children’s libraries, but selectors may find a more child-friendly edition.–Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
MALPICA, Toño. Los mil años de Pepe Corcueña. illus. by Amira Aranda. 102p. Ediciones el Naranjo. 2010. pap. $13.95. ISBN 978-607-7661-18-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–Eight-year-old Noé lives in a wealthy neighborhood and loves to play tennis. On his way to practice, he disappears, only to awaken far from his family, his home, and the life he has known. He has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. He is kept in a basement, chained to a bed, and suffers from beatings and abuse. In order to alleviate some of the pain, Noé becomes Noah, taking care of his ark and his animals. The stories he tells win the attention of his captor, Carlos, and the boy, Gorras, who visits him when the man is away. Noé’s imagination is a refuge for his pain, but at the same time it is an attempt to reach the good side of his captor. Will his stories succeed in convincing Carlos to set him free? This is a powerful and poignant story about an all-too-common problem in Mexico and other parts of the world. Although the protagonist is a child, Malpica directs the story toward “my country and my people.” Indeed, this is a book for readers of any age because of its message of hope and transformation. Unfortunately, the illustrations lack the color, exuberance, and imagination that readers would want for Noé.–Jessica McClinton López, King County Library System, Auburn, WA
MARTÍN, Manuela. Primeras palabras. ISBN 978-84-8426-523-8.
–––– . Primeras palabras de los animales. ISBN 978-84-9806-139-0.
ea vol: illus. by author. 44p. (Cosas de niños series). Susaeta. 2010. Tr $15.95. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 3–In Primeras palabras , basic words are explored in sections devoted to the body, rooms of the house, clothes and accessories, food, vehicles, school, colors, shapes, numbers, and action words. In Primeras palabras de los animales , animals are grouped geographically, representing Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia, as well as tundra, coral reef, oceans, and polar regions. Although content is appropriate for a young audience, the writing is in cursive, making it challenging for early readers. The artwork in both books is magnificently done in clay and mostly set on spreads surrounded by labeled items. Each spread is rich in color and detail, conveying texture and contributing to a sense of realism. A globe highlighting where the animals live is included. After reading these books, children will love trying to make their own clay figures. Great additions to any collection.–Ana Rodriguez, Tamarac Elementary School, FL
OLLIVIER, Stéphane. Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovski. 24p. ISBN 978-84-9825-416-7.
WEILL, Catherine. Frédéric Chopin. tr by Manuel Serrat Crespo. 28p. ISBN 978-84-9825-414-3.
ea vol: tr. by Manuel Serrat Crespo. illus. by Charlotte Voake. photos. reprods. w/CD. (Descubrimos a los músicos series). Combel Editorial. 2010. Tr $15.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–Divided into two parts, the first half of each book explores key biographical information, stemming from the composer’s early years and musical development; the latter half provides a general overview of some key works. Small boxes of text provide study questions and also add explanatory notes about some of the photographs. However, the description of some of the musical concepts, such as a reference to authentic psychological consistency, may be difficult for this audience to grasp. The texts, oddly enough, depict the composers’ lives in present tense. Voake’s minimalistic watercolor-and-pen illustrations in pale yellows, greens, and browns balance the photographs and art reproductions, creating a collage of cultural aspects from the composers’ times, as well as those from modern-day performances of their musical works. The accompanying CDs, with a charming narration on authentic Castilian dialect, follow the texts and are interspersed with samples of the composers’ music. These titles will be useful in intermediate Spanish language coursework, particularly for learning musical terms.–Cristi Jenkins Fort Vancouver Library District, WA
PATRICELLI, Leslie. The Birthday Box/Mi caja de cumpleaños. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2010. BD $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5041-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–A cheerful toddler receives a wonderful birthday gift: a box. The youngster explores the unintended present and all of its endless possibilities. Together they sail the seas, sled on snow-covered hills, and, at the end of the day, the box becomes a cozy place to take a nap. Bold line drawings and a saturated color palette accompany the side-by-side English and Spanish text. The Spanish translation retains Patricelli’s short yet expressive words. There is onomatopoeia, alliteration, and a keen sense of a child’s curiosity in this near-perfect board book, which could easily be made into a dynamic flannel-board story.–Shannon Dye, Peoria Public Library, AZ
PATRICELLI, Leslie. Higher! Higher!/ ¡Más alto! Más alto! illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2010. BD $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4998-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–A girl enjoys being pushed on a swing by her dad. The higher she goes, the more imaginative she becomes. “Higher! Higher!/¡Más alto! ¡Más alto!” becomes her mantra as she flies past tall buildings, skims past mountain peaks, and catapults into space. As she swings back down to Earth, she arrives safely into her father’s arms, asking to do it all over again. Patricelli’s simple, bold lines and bright, saturated colors convey the excitement the child’s experience. The side-by-side English and Spanish text is perfect for reading aloud although the illustrations really do the talking and make viewers soar.–Shannon Dye, Peoria Public Library, AZ
RUIZ-FLORES, Lupe. The Battle of the Snow Cones/La guerra de las raspas. tr. by Amira Plascencia. illus. by Alisha Gambino. 32p. Pi ñ ata. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-575-5. LC 2009053972.
Gr 1-3-The residents of Caliente, TX, can’t stay cool in the sweltering summer heat even when drinking lemonade by the gallon and pouring buckets of water over their heads. Elena, who is joined by her mother on the front porch, comes up with a fun, profitable idea to deal with the situation–selling raspas, or snow cones. Before long, her successful business gets the attention of her best friend, Alma, who sets up a stand of her own. The girls compete, or “battle,” to be the best on the block by employing new strategies and adding touches such as Mexican paper flowers or syrup flavors like coconut or mango, and entertainment like puppet shows or folkloric dances. In the midst of all the competitiveness, the girls’ snow-cone machines malfunction and they realize how much their friendship matters. Gambino’s vibrant acrylic artwork shows neighborhood scenes and captures the bold colors of the snow-cone syrups and the girls’ stands. Learning that true friendship can be more important than success is an elemental concept for young children to understand.–Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA
SANTILLAN, Suzanne. Grandma’s Pear Tree/El peral de Abuela. illus. by Atilio Pernisco. 32p. CIP. Raven Tree. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934960-80-6; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-934960-81-3. LC 2009931226.
PreS-Gr 3-Grandma has warned Jessie to keep away from her golden pear tree. Now his ball is stuck in it and he is sure she will be angry. He turns to his busy grandfather, uncle, cousin, and sister for help but their suggestions only lead to a broom, a shoe, a chicken, and a cat getting stuck in the prized tree as well. Doubtful, Jessie finally decides to tell his grandmother what has happened and she smartly replies, “I’m not cross with you. Family is more important than even my tree.” Together they manage to get almost everything free from the branches. Everything except...Grandma. This cheerful bilingual tale is sure to make children smile. The large, colorful, acrylic and pencil cartoons pop on every page. Santillan’s amusing story will prove to be a handy selection for children, parents, and teachers alike.–Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
SAUMANDE, Juliette, et al. ¡No me da miedo!: 10 historias escalofriantes. 191p. Pirueta. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-84-92691-49-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-4-This wide-ranging anthology contains 10 hair-raising tales, but they are not your typical scary stories. Youngsters will meet an eccentric dentist, a little ghost, a wolf named Lobison, and the monster Veotodo, who sees all, to name a few. Each selection has a unique style and well-suited illustrations. Some of the Spanish vocabulary might be challenging, so adult help will probably be needed. A poem, riddle, game, or extension craft accompanies each story. A great package to share one-on-one or in a group. –Veronica Corral, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, VA
SPRAGUE, Al & Dagny Sprague. The Mahogany Tree/El árbol de caoba. tr. by Andrea E. Alvarado. illus. by Al Sprague. 306p. Piggy Pr. 2010. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-9962-629-89-4; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-9962-629-88-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–A tiny seed grows to become a magnificent mahogany tree and, in the process, touches the lives of animals and humans in a very special way. The tree’s adventures start when Turia, a Chono Indian from Darien, sees its promise and, after risking his life, transforms it into a superb fishing cayuco, which catches much attention. Many years after the vessel touches water for the first time, Willie, a daydreaming teenager who lives in the Panama Canal Zone, and Ole Man, a Jamaican fisherman, travel far searching for a marlin when they get caught in a treacherous storm and are left to survive on the cayuco until their rescuers arrive. This unusual story, told from the point of view of the tree, will make readers dream of adventures at sea, surrounded by a magical world teeming with life and danger. The black-and-white illustrations are exquisite. The translation is peppered with regional expressions, but occasionally lacks the fluidity of its English original. Discussion questions in both English and Spanish are appended.–Narda McCarthy, Broward County Library Consultant, FL
VARGAS LLOSA, Mario. Fonchito y la luna. illus. by Marta Chicote Juiz. unpaged. (Mi primer series). Alfaguara. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-607-11-05912. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Fonchito is a little boy with a big crush. The object of his affection, a beauty named Nereida, tells him that she will only let him kiss her if he brings her the Moon. The whimsical, full-spread illustrations are rendered in a subdued palette of slate blues, sea-glass greens, and glowing amber. The story takes place in Lima, Peru, where Fonchito notes that it is especially difficult to see the Moon because the sky is often cloudy. With love, however, all things are possible. When out on his terrace, he makes an amazing discovery. The next day he asks Nereida when he can come to her house to show her the Moon, and she invites him over on the night her father goes to the club and her mother has friends over to play bridge. When Fonchito takes Nereida out on her terrace and presents her with a big bucket of water with the Moon’s reflection, she is thrilled beyond words, and she presents her face for him to kiss. The last illustration is especially playful because the handle to the bucket forms a smile and little hearts pop out of the water. The endpapers feature childlike drawings of stars hanging from strings shining down on a line of potted geraniums. This ethereal picture book is an excellent way to introduce young readers to the lyricism of Vargas Llosa.–Rebecca Hickman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
VERNE, Jules. 20,000 leguas de viaje submarino. adapt. by Carl Bowen. tr. by Maria Carolina Berduque & Juan Cruz de Sabato. illus. by José Alfonso Ocampo Ruiz. 72p. glossary. Stone Arch. Aug. 2010. RTE $26.65. ISBN 978-1-4342-2324-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–This graphic-novel adaptation of Verne’s classic novel follows the underwater adventures of the Nautilus , a high-tech submarine led by Captain Nemo. The story begins with sightings of a strange creature around the world and a decision by the U.S. government to find out what it is. Pierre Aronnax, a scientist, boards the Abraham Lincoln and the crew soon discovers that this beast can’t be killed because it is a submarine. The crew members board the Nautilus as prisoners and witness the adventures of the vessel. The illustrations will appeal to young readers, from the cover with deep red tentacles wrapped around the Nautilus to the muscled, comic-book renderings of the characters. The book includes information about Verne and discussion questions and topics for further writing. It is sure to pique the interest of many fans of the format and will help reluctant readers get a taste for Verne’s works. The language and dialogue are easy to follow and understand. While the adaptation only skims the original adventures of the Nautilus , it will help to bridge the gap between modern-day children’s books and classic literature .–Roberto Zapata, San Antonio Public Library, TX
