Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. Yuyi Morales. Illus. by Yuyi Morales. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2003. 32 pages. $15.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-8118-3758-0. Grades K-3. English with some Spanish.

It’s time for Grandma Beetle’s birthday party, but an unexpected guest, Señor Calavera, arrives with different plans. This very skinny, though polite depiction of death insists Grandma Beetle go with him. Unfortunately for Señor Calavera, Grandma Beetle is very busy, but is willing to go in “just a minute.” Just a minute actually turns in to ten brightly illustrated tasks that depict the rich Latino culture of both award winning author illustrator Yuyi Morales and Grandma Beetle. Readers can practice counting from one to ten in English and Spanish as Grandma Beetle makes tortillas, stuffs piñatas, brews tea, and welcomes her grandchildren. Señor Calavera has such a blast he leaves looking forward to next year’s party. Both the text and detailed illustrations enrich reader’s minds, introducing culture, tradition, and numbers. This recipient of the Pura Belpré, Américas, and Tomás Rivera Book Awards is an excellent addition to any collection. Highly Recommended.