Our Celebración!

PreS-Gr 1--A celebration that includes a parade and fireworks is taking place in town. The joyous occasion is described in rhyming couplets in Elya's trademark use of English punctuated with Spanish words: "Yes, today's a party día./Take a bite of pink sandía, /tacos, hot dogs, hamburguesas--/lots of laughter, fun sorpresas." One couplet misfires though, while "rincón" rhymes with "balcón," it is the wrong word for corner. The correct term in this case is "esquina." A light rain falls on the parade but does not dampen spirits and the festivities continue until the night sky sparkles with a fireworks display. Curious readers might wonder where, when, but more especially, why this celebration is happening. Aranda's watercolor, gouache, and ink-on-watercolor paper illustrations are lively and whimsical. The people in the town represent many ethnicities, ages, and family types, realistically portraying any town in the U.S. Observant readers may notice that the people introduced on the first spread continue to show up throughout. Lots of Mexican details--papel picado, dancers in the traditional Jalisco dress, musicians that appear to be dressed as mariachis, a marimba player, and a piñata--potentially indicate a Mexican holiday. But this is not necessarily so; and if so, which one? VERDICT A lack of specificity and forced rhymes mar this celebración. Consider for collections where Elya's other books are popular.--Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ

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