Sana, sana, colita de rana

PreS-Gr 2–A little girl is empowered by a traditional chant to follow her dreams despite some setbacks. Tina, her brother Paco, and her stuffed toy frog like to dress up as lucha libre wrestlers. When she hurts herself and starts crying, her brother teases her, saying that girls shouldn’t be wrestlers. Even though her mother soothes her physical pain away with the title song, “Sana, sana, colita de rana,” or “Heal, heal, frog’s little tale,” Tina is still smarting from Paco’s hurtful words. The little girl starts doubting whether she’s got what it takes to be a wrestler. With a heartfelt apology, the healing chant, and the help of their mother’s masterly sewing skills, Paco is able to make amends to Tina. In Reyes’s debut, she honors culturally specific customs, while thoughtfully presenting universal themes such as sibling teasing, dashed dreams, and small scrapes lovingly tended to by a caring adult. The bilingual narrative is straightforward, and the digital art is bright and inviting. Festive oranges, reds, and teals add warmth and joy to the work. Tina’s stuffed toy has a personality of his own, and kids will delight in him and in the family’s resolution. Reyes makes great use of each page; every spot is used to further the narrative. The family members are brown and most likely of Mexican descent.