Me Gustan Los Bichos (Leyendo a Pasos: Paso 1 Listos Para Leer Spanish Edition)

PreS-K--This lovely title dedicated to insects is a perfect choice for children who are beginning their journey with early readers and whose dominant language is Spanish. Short, three-to-five word Spanish sentences are presented in large text, often with a white or light background that makes them easier to read. A diverse cast of children and adults are shown in locations like the park and a café, sharing their environment with a wide variety of insects such as ants, caterpillars, and bees. Insects are shown in natural habitats, in the grass or among flowers, as well as in humorous and familiar situations, including ants taking some potato chips and a child being chased by bees. Words used will spark conversations on colors as well; terms like brillantes, redondos, and terribles will help emerging readers build their vocabularies. The lovely color pencil illustrations present a beautiful world full of insects and curious children. However, bicho is a vulgar word in some Latin American countries, such as Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. VERDICT An excellent addition to Spanish early reader collections for children. But, readers from some Spanish-speaking countries might have a hard time looking past the offensive word in the title.--Selenia Paz