by Susan Middleton Elya (Author) Dan Santat (Illustrator)
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With more than 20 picture books to her name, Elya has built her career on stories that deftly incorporate Spanish vocabulary words into English verse. Her latest salutes a team of firefighters--among them, Juan, Jose, Carlota, and Hector--who race into action. " 'House fire!' says el capitan./ 'Fuego! Get your helmets on!'/ Down the pole they grab their gear./ 'Rapido! We're out of here!' " Elya's verse never falters, and it fuels the story's tension and drama. The text provides ample fodder for Santat's colored pencil illustrations, which incorporate digital elements, as well as the thematically appropriate use of fire and water. Certain pages are singed during the height of the fire, others are stained with water after the bomberos break out their hose. "Aim el agua, hear the sizzle--/ soon they make las flamas fizzle." The meanings of most of the Spanish words can be inferred from context, and a glossary is also included. The firefighters' determination, grit, and camaraderie--all fully evident in Santat's cinematically action-packed scenes--are sure to bolster childhood ambitions of joining their ranks. Ages 3-6. (Apr.)
Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Susan Middleton Elya is the author of 29 picture books, including the award-winning titles of Home at Last, Little Roja Riding Hood, La Princesa and the Pea, and La Madre Goose. She also wrote the Say Hola to Spanish series and the Eight Animals series, plus many more. She lives in Northern CA with her daughter, three dogs, and a bunch of books.
Melissa Sweet is a New York Times bestselling author and has illustrated nearly 100 children's books. Her work ranges from board books to picture books and nonfiction titles and her collages and paintings have appeared in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, and for eeBoo Toys. She has received numerous awards including the Sibert Medal, NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award, as well as two Caldecott Honor awards: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, and The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus, both by Jen Bryant. Her newest book is How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander. Melissa lives with her husband and dogs in Portland, Maine.