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.

Chato's Kitchen

Chato’s Kitchen.  Gary Soto. Illus by Susan Guevara. New York: The Putnam and Grosset Group, 1997. Unpaged. $6.99 (Paperback). Grades K-2. English with some Spanish

Chato’s Kitchen. Gary Soto. Weston Woods, 2002. 9 minutes 57 seconds. $18.95 (Book and Audio CD). Grades K-2. English with some Spanish

Chato is the coolest low-riding, food loving cat in his East Los Angeles barrio. He thinks he is in luck when he sees his next meal, a family of five mice, move in next door. After he initially frightens his new neighbors he cleverly invites them over for a dinner party. Chato realizes the joke is on him when the ratoncitos bring Chroizo, their own low-riding dog friend along. Chato’s Kitchen is a funny, detailed, and culturally rich story that portrays life in the barrio in a fun, yet realistic way. Cheech Marin does an excellent job narrating the text, giving each of Gary Soto’s award winning characters an authentic, colorful and attention-getting voice. Susan Guevara’s bright, intricate images give the flowing text even more life, and will have readers thoroughly engaged. This audio kit is a great addition to any collection. Highly Recommended     

Tomás and the Library Lady

Tomás and the Library Lady.  Pat Mora. Illus. by Raul Colón. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1997. 32 pages. $17.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-679-90401-8.  Grades K-3. English with some Spanish.

 “En un tiempo pasado,” are words of magic that Tomás looks forward to hearing Papá Grande say to help pass the hot afternoons on the Iowa farm where his parents are field workers. When Tomás has learned all Papá’s stories his grandfather tells him of a special place where he can read and learn his own stories to share: the library. At the library Tomás meets a lady who introduces him to the fantastic worlds of dinosaurs, cowboys, and animals found in books. The Pura Belpré and Tomás Rivera Award winning Mora appeals to children's curiosity in order to incite a passion for the library and reading. The wonderfully unique illustrations of Raul Colón bring the stories Tomás reads to life and capture a child’s imagination. This story sheds light on the life of immigrant workers and encourages a lifelong love of reading. Recommended.

Becoming Naomi León

Becoming Naomi León. Pam Muñoz Ryan. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2004. 246 pages. $5.99. ISBN 0-439-26997-0. Grades 4-8. English with some Spanish.

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has always been more of a mouse then either the lion or outlaw her surnames imply. Despite her struggles speaking up and her self-identification as “nobody special,” she feels love and happiness at home in Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho with her Gram and brother Owen. When her mother returns after seven years to take her away Naomi’s life begins to unravel. In order to preserve their family the Outlaws head to Mexico to find Naomi’s father. While searching for her father Naomi strengthens her voice and finds herself. Pura Belpré and Tomás Rivera Award winner Pam Muñoz Ryan uses acute detail and poignant emotion to turn the unique struggles of the characters in to the reader’s own. She also distinguishes Naomi’s journey from other stories of self realization by incorporating hints of Spanish and rich Mexican culture that readers become immersed in as the novel progresses. Highly Recommended