¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market (World of ¡Vamos!)

A culturally intricate slice of a lupine courier's life.

Excellent for English and Spanish language learners alike....This lively, inviting picture book offers readers a playful glimpse into a desert world surrounded by mountains and cactuses.

[T]this simple morning walk turns into a scavenger hunt of Spanish words and Mexican cultural elements. 

K-Gr 2--It is an exciting day for Little Lobo. Today, he is going to the market with his dog, Bernabé. The desert town is vibrant with commerce, street vendors, and an array of animal inhabitants. For Little Lobo there is no stopping; he absolutely enjoys greeting acquaintances, delighting in street performances, and fulfilling his job of delivering supplies at the market. Gonzalez has created a simple narrative that includes Spanish vocabulary, which is playfully positioned surrounding the many streets, food stores, and buildings, encouraging readers to say the Spanish words as they turn the pages. The cartoon images set a festive tone, inspired by El Mercado Cuauhtémoc in Juárez, Mexico, with a soft- toned autumnal palette. The book contains a glossary with the vocabulary words and their respective pronouns. VERDICT This picture book entertains and informs readers through fresh and engaging art, advancing Spanish vocabulary and cultural references. A winner.--Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This picture book graphic novel by Raúl the Third (Low Riders to the Center of the Earth) celebrates the richness of border-town culture. The artist shows Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé as they make deliveries to Mercado de Chauhtémoc la Curiosidad, "a maze of pathways, shops, and booths." Spanish and English words intermingle on the page as Little Lobo goes first to a warehouse to pick up items merchants have asked for ("clothes pins--pinzas para la ropa"), then heads for the market. Witty, stylish panel artwork crackles with funky comic energy, and the market churns with activity as merchants sell sweets (Little Lobo buys a churro), make piñatas, and paint on velvet. Little Lobo brings the clothespins to Señor Duende, who gives him a comic book about his favorite luchador, El Toro. "It would be great if we could meet El Toro one day," Little Lobo sighs. Miraculously, as if the pleasures of churros and comics were not enough, he gets to give his hero a ride home. Most pleasing is the market's atmosphere of warmth and affection: "Siempre tiene prisa!" the jarmaker clucks fondly after Little Lobo: "Always in a hurry!" Spanish words define background objects throughout (fuego describes a fire breather's warm emanation) and a Spanish-to-English glossary concludes this inventive picture book. Ages 4-7. (Apr.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

[T]he grab bag of bilingual terms embedded in dialogue, signage, and stray scraps of text invite all readers to have a grand time latching onto what they know and figuring out what they don't. -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED review 

The Book of the Year is now out - Tom Angleberger, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Origami Yoda Series. 

Hats off to Raul the Third for this BRILLIANT and BEAUTIFUL new picture book. You can read it a hundred times and see something new and extraordinary every time. -  Dav Pilkey, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Dog Man Series

The comics-style illustrations of anthropomorphic creatures, objects, and places are full of detail and very enjoyable to explore....[T]this simple morning walk turns into a scavenger hunt of Spanish words and Mexican cultural elements. -The Horn Book, STARRED review