El nuevo hogar de Tía Fortuna by Ruth Behar and Devon Holzwarth, translated by Yanitzia Canetti - ADVISABLE

El nuevo hogar de Tía Fortuna: Una historia judía-cubana by Ruth Behar, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth, translated by Yanitzia Canetti. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House). 2022. $18. 9780593381069 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It's time for Tia Fortuna to move again. As a young girl, she lived in Havana, then moved to Miami. She only brought her memories (and a few special items - the mezuza off the door and a small suitcase.) When her niece Estrella visits they play on the beach and make cookies. Tia shows Estrella her small suitcase - the one she will take with her when she moves the next day. 

This edition was published at the same time as the English version. The translation is well done, making both stories exactly the same. I really like the illustrations, colorful and bold - just like Tia Fortuna. The author's note is essential.  Tia is of Sephardic heritage. 

Lisa Librarian

El Campo by Baptiste Paul, illustrations by Jacqueline Alcantara - ADVISABLE

El Campo by Baptiste Paul, illustrations by Jacqueline Alcantara, Translated from English by Lawrence Schimel, PICTURE BOOK North South, 2021. $9. 9780735844605 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The children gather to play in a field, first they shoo away the cows and set up bamboo goals. But, when it starts to rain the game doesn't stop, it just gets wetter - slipping and sliding and splashing in the puddles until it stops. The game continues until Mama's call eventually ends the game, and the children return home dirty and tired. 

Alcantara's illustrations are great - so much action with the children running and having so much fun - even the spectators are animated. I loved the author's note at the end, and the message that you don't let set backs stop you. In Spanish and Creole, includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

Lisa Librarian

Lucero by Yuyi Morales - HIGH

Lucero by Yuyi Morales. PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter books (Holiday House), 2021. $19. 9780823447848 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A fawn is born in the desert and its loving mother wants it to see the world around her, to look and listen, stay safe and know she is loved. She teaches the fawn to speak up when something is unjust, to know she is not alone and to imagine her most beautiful world. 

This edition, written in Spanish, is just as beautiful and well-told. Yuyi Morales is fluent in both languages, and we loved that each book seems to have been written in English or Spanish, rather than translated from one to the other. 

 Lisa Librarian (with Oscar 8th grade bilingual student)

First 100 Words: English & Spanish by Susie Jaramillo - ADVISABLE

First 100 Words: English & Spanish by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos, 2020 $13 9781945635298 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Fun and colorful "First Words" board book in both English and Spanish. Sorted by topic, baby learns about nature words like "Frog/Rana"; school words like "Clock/Reloj"; and music words like "Singer/Cantante". 12 different topics cover so many things baby will experience. 

 Part of the "Cantico" series, Jaramillo's illustrations are so cute. The characters from the other board books are identified in the first group, and then baby can find them throughout the book. A delightful word book - love it. 

Lisa Librarian

Un Trineo Para Gabo (A Sled for Gabo) by Emma Otheguy, Ana Ramírez and Alexis Romay - ADVISABLE

Un Trineo Para Gabo (A Sled for Gabo) by Emma Otheguy illustrated by Ana Ramírez González and translated from English by Alexis Romay. PICTURE BOOK Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2021. $18. 9781534445833 

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It snowed where Gabo lives, but he doesn't have the right clothes or a sled to go out and play, so Mami helps him put plastic bags over his sneakers, and he wears his Papi's hat. Now, to find a sled! But he's too shy to join in the fun with the other kids, so thank goodness a neighbor's granddaughter reaches out with some good ideas. Maybe Gabo gets to sled after all! 

I also reviewed the English edition and found the Spanish edition to be just as well done. The translation is spot on - I showed this to a native speaker at my school and she said it would be a great side-by-side read for either the Spanish or English learners. The English version has Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout, but the Spanish version is entirely in Spanish.

Lisa Librarian

All the Colors / De Colores by Susan Jaramillo - ADVISABLE

All the Colors / De Colores by Susan Jaramillo.  BOARD BOOK. Encantos Media.

$11. 9781945635366

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Emmy-nominated and award winning series Canticos bring us this beloved Nursery Rhymes collection.  All the Colors/ De Colores is written in both English and Spanish and teaches little ones about the world of colors.  Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple are explored with little fingers lifting the flap to switch between English and Spanish. Each page is brightly colored and lends to hours of reading and learning together. 

With an adorable bunny, chick and elephant little ones will delight in reading All the Colors/ De Colores. Because it is written in both Spanish and English the board book can be used not only in reading children, but also helps in teaching bilingual words and phrases.  We loved the characters, the lift-the-flap design and the simplicity of the book. 

Reviewer: SL

Letters A to Z by Susie Jaramillo - ADVISABLE

Letters A to Z by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos Media.. $14. 9781945635335

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

With bold and bright colors, Jaramillo brings us the perfect bilingual A to Z board book! Each letter explores and introduces two words- one in English the other in Spanish.  Three adorable baby chicks bring to light the letter J as they play with a Jack-in-the-box (caja de sorpresas) and de juguetes (toys). These chicks are tucked in safe and warm in their Nest (Nido) each deche (night). Other friends in previous books such as Elephant and Bunny also make an appearance as new letters are introduced.   

Because it is written in both Spanish and English Letters A to Z can be used not only in reading children, but also helps in teaching bilingual words and phrases.  We loved the bold colors, the adorable characters and the simplicity of the book. 

Reviewer: SL

Pin Pon : Learn about manners in English and Spanish by Susie Jaramillo - OPTIONAL

Pin Pon : Learn about manners in English and Spanish by Susie Jaramillo BOARD BOOK, ACTIVITY BOOK Encantos Media 2020 $15 9781945635281 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Pin Pon is a paper doll (well, cardboard cut out), who knows all the best manners, like holding his milk with both hands so he doesn't spill, doing all his homework before bed and going right to sleep. 

Uniquely designed with English on one side and Spanish on the other, this cute lift the flap story is fun for little hands. Because of the nature of the two-sided book, it actually can fold out all the way, which makes it rather ungainly as a library book.

Lisa Librarian

Todos Iguales : All Equal by Christy Hale - ADVISABLE

Todos Iguales : All Equal by Christy Hale PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Lee and Low, 2019, $20. 9780892394272

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Anglo and Mexican children always attended the Lemon Grove School together. But, during the summer of 1930, parents in the community near San Diego learned of the school district's plan to segregate the Mexican American children and send them to a different, inferior school. They organized, hired lawyers and filed a lawsuit against the school board. One student, Roberto Alvarez, represented all the students - he spoke excellent English and did well in school, convincing the judge that the school board's efforts to isolate the Mexican American students in order to teach them better language skills were unfounded. The judge ruled in favor of the parents and children were once again allowed to learn together.

Christy Hale's non-fiction account of the Lemon Grove school is told in both Spanish and English. I loved that Spanish is first - the primary language of the book and that English is the translation. The illustrations are large and expressive and mirror the time period nicely. An important book for the Civil Rights section of your library.

Lisa Librarian
 

¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market by Raúl the Third - ESSENTIAL

¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market by Raúl the Third PICTURE BOOK Versify, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019 $15.00 9781328557261

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Little Lobo has a very busy day planned. He and his dog Bernabé have lots of deliveries to make all over the Mercado, so they fill their wagon and head to market. Such a busy place! Shoe polish to Chiva's Zonkey, paintbrushes to the portrait studio with lots of stops inbetween - but the best delivery of all . . . a delivery to his favorite wrestler. 

 Raúl the Third is the author of the Lowriders in Space graphic novel series, and I love his picture book. It reminds me of Richard Scarry's books - took me right back - such a nostalgic feel, but new, for this generation. Every scene is full of busy busy townsfolk, lots of details on every page with words in both Spanish and English. I loved the names of the friends - Kooky Dooky is the rooster - the funny things happening at each stop, and the way Spanish is mixed with English. Read and re-read, spend lots of time looking at the illustrations, and enjoy your trip to the Mercado.

Lisa Librarian

Lejos Far/Cerca Close by Juan Felipe Herrara - ADVISABLE

Lejos Far/Cerca Close by Juan Felipe Herrara, illustrated by Blanca Gómez, BOARD BOOK Candlewick, 2019 $8 9780763690632/9780763690625

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

What is far - my house is far from the city, and the city is far from the ocean, the ocean is far from the clouds etc. / What is close -my bedroom is close to the kitchen, the kitchen is close to the door, the door is close to the daisies etc. 

Juan Felipe Herrera is teaching the child about Far and Close in these two bilingual picture books. The narration is in both English and Spanish, and Blanca Gómez's illustrations are colorful and happy. A lovely primer for the preschooler - easy to read and a fun way to introduce another language.
Lisa Librarian

The Enchanted Castle by Samantha Chagollan - ESSENTIAL

The Enchanted Castle by Samantha Chagollan, illustrated by Eugenia Golubeva. An English/Spanish Lift-a-Flap Fairy Tale Adventure!  BOARD BOOK. Walter Foster Jr., 2017. $16.95 9781633224131

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Learn over 40 Spanish vocabulary words as you follow along with Belle while she makes her way through the enchanted castle. Running into many of Belle’s fairy tale friends as she goes along, Belle tries to find out as many of the castle’s secrets as she can. 

Adorable, colorful pictures and a lot to explore on each page will be a hit for readers. Children will love running into their favorite fairytale characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and more as Belle explores her territory. Each page includes flaps that you lift up to learn Spanish vocabulary. What’s great about these is they include the words in Spanish and how to pronounce them, which will be very appreciated by parents, teachers, and kids learning a language and isn’t always added along with the vocabulary. 

Jessica, Librarian

Amor by Matt De La Pena - ESSENTIAL

Amor by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Loren Long, translated by Teresa Mlawer. PICTURE BOOK. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin), 2018. $18. 9780525518808

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is the Spanish language version of the popular book, Love. It reads like a poem on the all the ways someone call feel and experience love in the city. Each spread has one detailed painting-like illustration capturing the tough moments and the beautiful ones. It leaves the reader with the final message that wherever you go on your path, you will be buoyed up by love. 

This is a great choice for Spanish speaking readers, since the poetic nature of the book would best be experienced and most accessible in a native language. The gorgeous illustrations depict a variety of ethnicities and abilities in a way that does’t feel like it is trying too hard to be inclusive, it just naturally is. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher