Spanish Books
RSSChaired by Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
ALCALÁ SUÁREZ, Fernando. Ne obliviscaris. 224p. (Colección alandar Series). Edelvives. 2011. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7684-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–How much truth is there behind a rumor? What if by merely saying it aloud a rumor became reality? At Dumas Preparatory, a mysterious boarding school on an island in the middle of the ocean, it seems that rumors have a power all their own. A new boy arrives under the cover of night, in the midst of a storm; the most popular girl in school loses everything she holds dear; and a sudden outbreak of food poisoning leaves half the student body incapacitated. Only five kids are aware of what’s really going on, and they must find a way to stop the rumors before the entire school disappears. Alcalá Suárez has created a suspense-filled story that keeps readers guessing until the end. A fast-paced and intense read.–Erica Kindrick, Sacramento Public Library, CA
BERTRAND, Diane Gonzales. Adelita and the Veggie Cousins/Adelita y las primas verduritas. tr. by Gabriela Baeza Ventura. illus. by Christina Rodriguez. unpaged. CIP. Piñata. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-699-8. LC 2010054521.
Gr 1-4–Adelita begins her first day at a new school and is worried about making friends. The teacher, Miss Cantú, introduces the students to vegetables and allows each child to choose one. Adelita and Jasmine select a yellow and a green vegetable that look very similar, and Miss Cantú confirms that they are both squashes. More vegetables are introduced and Adelita notices that the brown vegetables look similar and asks if they are “veggie cousins.” She makes another new friend, and she and Lisa call themselves “veggie friends.” Throughout the day, the teacher tells her class about the importance of healthy eating. Spanish terms appear in the English text, such as “chayote,” “malanga,” and “cassava.” The last two pages have a recipe in both English and Spanish for the “1-2-3 Super Calabacita Soup.” The bold, colorful illustrations capture the action well.–Cindy Moreno, San Antonio Public Library, TX
BROWN, Monica. Clara and the Curandera/Clara y la curandera. tr. by Gabriela Baeza Ventura. illus. by Thelma Muraida. unpaged. CIP. Piñata. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-700-1. LC 2010054216.
PreS-Gr 3–Clara has a bad temper. She is irritated by the chores she’s expected to do, having to share with her siblings, and the amount of schoolwork she faces. Her mom decides to send her to a very wise curandera for help. The healer prescribes an unusual treatment; she wants Clara to help her neighbors with their trash, give her toys to her siblings, and read five books instead of one. The girl dutifully does all these deeds and discovers that her neighbors are grateful, her siblings are nicer, and reading is in fact interesting. She learns an important lesson about sharing and feels good about helping others. The pictures are vivid, expressive, and warm. A charming read-aloud.–Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, Jackson Hole, WY
CARRETERO, Mónica. La familia Bola. illus. by author. unpaged. (Artistas Mini-Animalistas Series). Cuento de Luz. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-84-938240-4-4; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-84-152412-4-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 4–The Bola family consists of small, chubby, gray creatures with 16 legs apiece. They live in the basement of a noisy theater-cabaret where they have plenty of space. Because they are unattractive, they use wigs, wear makeup, and dress in colorful clothes. But the most extraordinary thing about the Bolas is their ability to roll into a ball. Through the years, the little animals have learned to act and entertain. So in an empty theater box, the Bolas put on their own show, El Gran Teatro Varietiés, where they perform and are eventually discovered by a flea agent that takes them on a world tour. From the moment youngsters pick up this fun read, they will be captivated by it and by the colorful and detailed illustrations. A great selection for storytime.–Ana Rodriguez, Media Specialist, Tamarac, FL
CHISTES PARA NIÑOS Y NIÑAS. illus. by Florencia Cafferata. 30p. (Primera Biblioteca Infantil). Susaeta. 2011. Tr $9.95. ISBN 978-8499130811. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–This joke book includes several types of chistes. There are standard jokes posed as questions and a number of selections in rhyme that are the Spanish equivalent of the classic exchange: “He was so thin.” “How thin was he?” “He was so thin that....” Some jokes are based on double meanings of Spanish words: One little fish said to the other, “What does your father do?” The answer is “nada,” which means both nothing and “to swim.” The multimedia illustrations are reminiscent of Lane Smith’s work and do a lovely job of placing the jokes in context. A restaurant scene with two waiters at different tables is a clever way of handling two jokes at once: “Waiter, there’s a rat in my soup! (Don’t be nervous, Ma’am, don’t you see it’s dead?)” and “Waiter, the hair in my soup is not mine! (Let me have it, please. I’ll keep it in case its owner comes to reclaim it).” A couple of the selections concern obese individuals or drunks. Some of the jokes use the “os” form of formal address, which may not be familiar to Spanish-speaking children in the United States. If one is comfortable with the cultural and language issues presented here, then this is a good choice for joke-book collections.–Tim Wadham, Children’s Literature Consultant, Fenton, MO
COFER, Judith Ortiz. íA bailar! Let’s Dance! illus. by Christina Ann Rodriguez. unpaged. CIP. Piñata. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-698-1. LC 2010054522.
PreS-Gr 4–Cofer has crafted a delightful story, capturing the heart of the Latino community as it interweaves dance and life. A girl is excited to hear Papi play salsa music in the park. She and her mother don red dresses, dance through the streets, and collect friends and neighbors on their way. Realistic, full-color oil illustrations utilize captivating combinations of purples, reds, and pastels, portraying a barrio where people know and care about one another. A policeman stops traffic for the dancing neighbors to cross the street. An elderly vendor selling from a truck bed gives a rose to the girl. A yellow border with red speckles, square spirals, and roses frames the text and smaller illustrations. Musical staffs, notes, and clefs snake through the pages. The predominantly English presentation repeats a small block of Spanish/English text on each page. Overall, the illustrations are quite striking, but the perspectives are off at times. Although the text implies otherwise, the crowd doesn’t dance but only listens to the music. However, the strength of the story overshadows the inconsistent details in the art.–Cristi Jenkins, Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, WA
DE ACEVEDO, Annie & Mimi González. Alguien me está molestando: el bullying. illus. by Daniel Rabanal. 64p. Ediciones B. 2011. pap. $17.95. ISBN 978-958-8294-64-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–A practical approach to a pervasive problem. First, the authors define bullying and explain why the term doesn’t have a specific translation in Spanish. They also give a clear picture of what kinds of acts are not classified as bullying and the types of bullying that exist. In the second part, De Acevedo and González describe the instigator, the victim, and the witnesses. Using an analogy between bullying and bullfighting, they suggest ways to deal with a tormentor. Lastly, the text offers some tools to victims to repair the psychological damage that can occur. The illustrations clearly depict the feelings involved in a bullying event. This book can be used by teachers and parents to help children understand the issue. A great and much-needed addition to libraries serving Latino patrons.–Patricia Rua-Bashir, The Brentwood Library, TN
HINMAN, Bonnie. Christmas/Navidad. ISBN 978-1-58415-864-6. LC 2010008151.
–––– . Thanksgiving/Acción de Gracias. ISBN 978-1-58415-861-5. LC 2010006525.
ORR, Tamra. Memorial Day/Día de los Caídos. ISBN 978-1-58415-863-9. LC 2010006521.
SCHOLL, Elizabeth. Independence Day/Día de la Independencia. ISBN 978-1-58415-862-2. LC 2010008152.
ea vol: tr. by Eida de la Vega. 32p. (A Little Jamie Book: Celebrate with Me/Un libro “Little Jamie”: Celebra conmigo Series). maps. photos. further reading. index. Mitchell Lane. 2011. PLB $25.70.
PreS-Gr 3–In the first book, Hinman looks at Christmas celebrations around the globe. Thanksgiving mentions thanksgiving or harvest festivals in other countries, but focuses on the U. S., and includes football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade among the festivities. Independence Day devotes a spread to various countries in addition to our own that celebrate their own independence days. However the only Spanish-speaking country included is Mexico, whose Independence Day, Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores), is celebrated on September 16th.. In all of the volumes, short paragraphs give the basic facts but the information is simplified to the extreme. The titles are attractively designed with color photographs, and the Spanish translations are just as strictly functional as the English texts.–Tim Wadham, Children’s Literature Consultant, Fenton, MO
JARKINS, Sheila. The Adventures of Marco Flamingo in the Jungle/Las aventuras de Marco Flamenco en la jungla. illus. by author. 32p. glossary. Raven Tree. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-936299-20-1. LC 2010936675.
PreS-Gr 2–It’s Marco Flamingo’s birthday and Elephant gives him the best gift of all–an invitation to a jungle safari. Marco sets sail on his adventure but runs out of food and his boat capsizes; fortunately, he discovers that land is close enough for him to fly in safely. Many of the illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny. Marco plays ring toss with the giraffes, buries his head in the sand with an ostrich, and roars along with a lion, showing off his bird tongue and crooked beak. Although there are references to Marco Flamingo (2008), and Marco Flamingo Under the Sea (2009, both Raven Tree), this bilingual picture book works well as a stand-alone title. The Spanish text matches the English in tone and reading level. The short list of vocabulary words at the end of the book includes articles so that readers can tell whether the Spanish words are masculine or feminine.–Rebecca Hickman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
KALDOR, Connie. Un pato en Nueva York. tr. by Yanitzia Canetti. illus. by Fil and Julie. unpaged. w/CD. Secret Mountain. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-2-923163-76-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–An outstanding version of Kaldor’s award-winning storybook-music CD (2007). Canetti’s translation is not only accurate but also full of rhythm and humor. The funny illustrations, the same as those in the English version, create the ambience of an audacious duck in a big city. The CD contains the story beautifully narrated with a South American accent and 12 songs performed by acclaimed Uruguayan-born singer Inés Cánepa, accompanied by Kaldor. The book also includes the Spanish version of the lyrics. A whole package: a good story, beautiful music, and amusing lyrics to read aloud, sing, and dance to. A must-have for any Spanish collection.–Freda Mosquera, Broward County Library, FL
KRINGS, Antoon. Leonor Osa Menor. tr. from French by David Cáceres González. illus. by author. unpaged. (Bichitos Curiosos Series). Blume. 2011. Tr $5.95. ISBN 978-84-9801473-0. LC 690086632.
K-Gr 3–Each book in this series follows the story of a creature or insect that has some sort of problem. In this volume, Luci Luciérnaga attempts to bring down the Moon but inadvertently captures a pot. Inside it is Leonor la Osa Menor. Those familiar with constellations will recognize her as the Little Dipper. This is a sweet story about a constellation, turned into a bear cub, who has lost her way. The evocative illustrations are soft and complement the text on the opposite page. The translation from French is into Castilian Spanish, which does cause some confusion since some expressions are not widely known in Latin America and the United States. While the story is sweet, it is not linear. Readers are not told why Luci wants to bring down the Moon or what made Leonor come down to the garden. Recommended for libraries with broad Spanish-language picture-book collections for its illustrations.–Rebecca Alcalá, San Mateo County Library, CA
LAMADRID, Enrique R. Amadito and the Hero Children/Amadito y los niños héroes. tr. by author. illus. by Amy Córdova. 60p. (Pasó por aquí series on the Nuevomexicano Literary Heritage). glossary. Univ. of New Mexico. Nov. 2011. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-0-8263-4979-8. LC 2011009197.
Gr 2-5–Much more than a book about the history and culture of New Mexico, this story tackles the role of children in confronting a health scare, in this case smallpox in the 18th and 19th centuries and influenza during World War I. It is about a boy, José Amado “Amadito” Domínguez, who lives through this influenza era and is inspired to become the first New Mexican physician of Taos county. Intertwined as well, within the historical narrative surrounding these eras, is a discussion of culture as folk medicine and science converge. Bilingual text is presented side-by-side coupled with ample earth-toned, Southwestern folkloric paintings that complement the text. This tale wraps up with an epilogue discussing the relationship between global pandemics and New Mexican remedies, additional biographical data about Amadito, and an English-Spanish glossary of vocabulary contained throughout the text. A recommended addition to collections of Hispanic heritage and biography alike.–Rhonda Jeffers, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA
LIENAS, Gemma. El diario rojo de Carlota. unpaged. Ediciones Destino. 2011. pap. $25.95. ISBN 978-607-07-0604-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Carlota, a confident teen, decides to research the subject of sex, and then proceeds to detail her findings in her diary. Throughout the story, she discusses a variety of sex-related topics with friends, family, and teachers–from sexual organs to hormones, pregnancy to STDs–and records them all in her journal. Interspersed are narratives of her daily life, her own sexual experiences, and the high drama that ensues as she navigates the waters of young love. A plethora of statistics is included (primarily from Mexico, this edition having been published there), as is a particularly informative entry on the warning signs of an abusive relationship. Part teen romance, part sex-ed textbook, this engaging story also serves as an excellent resource for readers who may not know how or where else to find this information.–Erica Kindrick, Sacramento Public Library, CA
LUIS, Maria José. El enigma del Cid. 408p. (Grandes Lectores/Big Readers Series). Editorial Bambú. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-84-8343-097-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Pablo’s class takes a field trip to the Arco de Santa Maria in Burgos for a special exhibit about their local historical figure, El Cid. The next day, the boy hears that someone broke in and moved El Cid’s helmet but stole nothing and left no clues. Soon afterward, a similar break-in occurs at El Cid’s casket in the cathedral. Pablo and his friends, Jaime and María, cannot resist looking into these mysterious events, and they secretly investigate the exhibit and the cathedral. They notice small marks on both El Cid’s helmet and his casket, which lead them to wonder: Will more break-ins occur, and where? And what do all the marks mean? A series of coincidences leads the trio to make some keen connections and discover that the criminal is collecting clues involving the hidden marks. Suspense builds as the students–along with the hired criminal and his educated sponsor–anticipate a final break-in, which will complete the historical puzzle. Although aspects of the plot are unbelievable and the story rambles a bit, the author’s descriptions of student life and the details of old Burgos make for an interesting read.–Marjorie Lear, Palm Beach County Library, West Palm Beach, FL
MORILLO, Fernando. Las alas de Leonardo. 181p. (Colección alandar Series). glossary. Edelvives. 2011. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-84-263-7683-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–For Haritz, Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is also an opportunity to escape for the summer from his home in Donostia where no one understands him. He also longs to spend some much-anticipated time with his favorite uncle, a Lord Byron meets Heinrich Schliemann meets Indiana Jones sort of man. But when Haritz arrives in the great city, Uncle Carlos is nowhere to be found. Very quickly he learns that his uncle has been kidnapped by art thieves who demand that he hand over some valuable manuscripts, but Haritz knows very little about them. Together with Amalur, his beautiful ex-girlfriend, and his friend Oier guiding him from a distance, Haritz embarks on a journey to uncover the mystery surrounding his uncle’s disappearance and his connection to the manuscripts. Las alas de Leonardo engages readers in art and cultural events that have shaped our world and continue to fascinate people. It also includes a glossary of the names of legendary figures referenced throughout, which is helpful for understanding the rich historical context that inspires the characters. In the tradition of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, Morillo expands the universal fascination with the artist.–Jessica McClinton López, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
NEIRA CRUZ, Xosé A. El miedo de Mo. illus. by Sara Rojo Pérez. 48p. (Librosaurio Series). Macmillan Iberia. 2011. Tr $11.95. ISBN 978-84-7942-627-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–Mo is a tiny witch, only seven centimeters tall. Her problem is not being small, but rather that she is afraid of children. She has nightmares of being stomped on by them. Her full-grown witch friends, Gordinflona Ana Cerdana (Ana Cerdana the fatso) and Cacatúa Desdentada (toothless cockatoo) remind her that she’s the one who should be doing the scaring. However, Mo’s best friend, a girl named Violeta, is trying to teach her not to be afraid. When she hides the little witch in her backpack and carries her to school, Mo overhears one of the girl’s schoolmates talking about her nightmares about witches. Mo suddenly realizes how silly she is to be afraid, and the whole class chimes in on a singsong verse made up by Mo. This is an imaginative story about conquering one’s fears, but it has a rather anticlimactic ending. Pérez’s bright and colorful illustrations help the story along.–Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
PRIDDY, Roger. ¡A comer! ISBN 978-84-7942-339-1.
–––– . ¡A dormir! ISBN 978-84-7942-341-4.
–––– . ¡A jugar! ISBN 978-84-7942-340-7.
–––– . ¡Al baño! ISBN 978-84-7942-342-1.
ea vol: tr. from English by Consuelo Gallego. unpaged. (Bebé Ecológico Series). photos. Macmillan Iberia. 2011. BD $8.95. LC number unavailable.
PreS–These board books focus on typical baby experiences, like sleeping and eating; high-quality, color photographs capture the youngsters in action. A comer, for instance, depicts a child with a bowl, a bib, and a spoon and asks, “Do you like to sit in your high chair?” These dynamic books make it easy for parents to interact with their youngsters in a way that supports early literacy. Additionally, the bottom right corner of each page offers questions and asks babies to point to recognizable items. The books are sturdy and have an interesting added design, a cracker-size circle cut through the bottom corner large enough for babies’ grasping hands or a peek-a-boo game. These titles are higher in quality than most and have a place in all libraries serving a Spanish-speaking population.–Shannon Dye, Sno-Isle Libraries, Monroe, WA
SAMPERIO, Guillermo. Hidalgo: Aventurero astuto de corazón grande. 127p. (Histórica Zeta Series). Ediciones B. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-607-480-087-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–An introduction to the life of Mexican patriot Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. This controversial 19th-century figure was a man of many faces, a Catholic priest, a father of illegitimate children, and a hero in his fatherland. A fictional younger brother recounts his many virtues and flaws as if to set the record straight. He attempts to humanize a man whom generations of Mexicans idealize as the first to publicly call his countrymen to escape the yoke of Spanish colonialism. To capture Hidalgo’s bravery, the narrator depicts the power of the Inquisition, the religious engine that did much of the dirty work for the Spanish sovereigns abroad. Led into the intimacies of Father Hidalgo, readers are made his accomplice in the plot to rebel against Spanish rule. While a good read for history buffs, the narration is often bogged down in the minutia of conspiracies, associates, traitors, dates, and places of colonial Mexico. There are no illustrations to break up the tedious descriptions. Suitable for native readers but most appealing to those of Mexican ancestry, this challenging read both celebrates and debunks this national advocate for liberation.–Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
