by Carmen Tafolla
Illustrated by Magaly Morales
Tricycle Press, 2009. 32 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 3-8
Hardcover: $14.99
Annotation: When the warmth of summertime shines down, just what can you do with a paleta?
Summary: In a Mexican barrio a little girl shares all the ways she can make magic with a paleta. This charming tale explores the many uses little ones can find for a traditional Mexican popsicle treat. From painting your tongue different colors to scare your little brother to drawing colorful, sugary masterpieces on the sidewalk, a paleta is a wonderful pleasure.
Evaluation: With gorgeous, brightly colored illustrations, Morales shares the warmth of Mexico and coolness of a summertime treat. She effectively captures the essence of youth and the vibrancy of her work makes you thirst for your own paleta. With a lovely, poetic prose Tafolla recounts the joys of her own little village (barrio) and the marraige between text and image is a seemless masterpiece.
Significance: The work highlights a large sub-culture within the United States that is growing at tremendous rates. This is a dual language book, with each page written in both English and Spanish. It's a perfect introduction to either a Spanish-speaking or English-speaking child who wants to learn the other language and is a delightful work in both languages.
Personal Choice: I wanted to read this book because I'm trying to learn Spanish and I couldn't wait to find out just what a paleta was!
Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment