Summary: Grandma Beetle is working away cleaning, cooking, and stuffing piñatas while Señor Calavera waits patiently to take her away, but not before Grandma sits down to celebrate another year in her life with her grandchildren and all the yummy food.
Analysis: Señor Calavera seems to represent death knocking on Grandma Beetle's door, but Grandma has other important things on her mind... Family. This beautiful picture book is a great representation of the Mexican culture. Grandma does all she can to thwart the skeleton always asking for "Just a minute..." as she cleans and cooks for her upcoming birthday celebration. Done in acrylic and media paper, the vibrant colors lure the eyes in to all the little details on each page and give the feel of motion almost as if they were dancing through the day. The little kitten follows Grandma throughout the story always by her side. This is a story about the celebration of life and family all the while teaching children how to count in both English and Spanish. Each new number is broadcast in big black bold letters. Those and the repeated phrases will have children reading them out loud along with you.
Accolades/Scholarly Reviews: Pura Belpre Awards and Honors 1996; School Selection Guide: Nonfiction Titles To Order K-8; Best Books For Children: Preschool-Grade 6; Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Book Award Winners 2004 and many more.
From Publisher's Weekly 12/01/2003: "Like the best folktales, the darker motivation for the skeleton's visit remains elusive for youngest readers, and the sly interplay between hostess and visitor makes light of his role. Morales whips up a visually striking book, and funny to boot. Her deep, glowing pastels and stylized human characterizations beautifully conjure the traditions of Latin American muralists, while Señor Calavera's ghoulish, goofy gallantry would make him the comic lead of any Day of the Dead festivity."
From Publisher's Weekly 12/01/2003: "Like the best folktales, the darker motivation for the skeleton's visit remains elusive for youngest readers, and the sly interplay between hostess and visitor makes light of his role. Morales whips up a visually striking book, and funny to boot. Her deep, glowing pastels and stylized human characterizations beautifully conjure the traditions of Latin American muralists, while Señor Calavera's ghoulish, goofy gallantry would make him the comic lead of any Day of the Dead festivity."
From Booklist 12/01/2003: "Like the text, the rich, lively artwork draws strongly upon Mexican culture, with hints of Diego Rivera in Grandma's robust form, and the skeleton resembling the whimsical figurines often seen in Day of the Dead folk art. The splendid paintings and spirited storytelling--along with useful math and multicultural elements--augur a long, full life for this original folktale."
Connections: This counting book would be a good companion when teaching children to count in English and in Spanish. Pair up with other picture books that teach English and Spanish: My Colors, My World/Mis Colores, Mi Mundo by Maya Christina Gonzalez and/or The Moon is La Luna: Silly Rhymes in English and Spanish by Jay M. Harris, Matthew Cordell.
Connections: This counting book would be a good companion when teaching children to count in English and in Spanish. Pair up with other picture books that teach English and Spanish: My Colors, My World/Mis Colores, Mi Mundo by Maya Christina Gonzalez and/or The Moon is La Luna: Silly Rhymes in English and Spanish by Jay M. Harris, Matthew Cordell.
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