Marimba! Animales from A to Z

¡Marimba! Animales from A to Z. Pat Mora. Illus. by Doug Cushman. New York: Clarion Books, 2006. 32 pages. $16.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-618-19453-7. Pre K-3. English with some Spanish.

It’s just another day at the zoo until “the ting-tong of the marimba wakes all animales on cue.” As the sombrero wearing monkey plays his marimba, burros bray, coyotes conga, flamencos practice flamenco, koalas serve enchiladas, and rinocerontes rumba. This fun animal filled story teaches readers the alphabet while incorporating Latina culture and Spanish language. Multiple award winner Pat Mora smartly selects Spanish cognates to help readers learn words with familiar sounds and roots while also incorporating other markers of Latina culture. She also expertly uses rhyme and rhythm to pace the story with the music of the marimba and give it flavor. Illustrator Doug Cushman adds to the story by depicting the cultural fiesta with bright colors, animated double page spreads, and the animals’ detailed facial expressions that will surely have readers laughing and enjoying the story. Recommended.