Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Esperanza renace (Esperanza Rising). Tr. by Nuria Molinero. 2002. 266p. Scholastic, paper, $4.99 (0-439-39885-1).
Gr. 6–9. Ryan’s clear, poetic language is, unfortunately, lost in Molinero’s formal Spanish rendition that lacks the lyricism of the original. Nonetheless, Spanish-speaking readers will be touched by the poignancy in the lives of 13-year-old Esperanza and her mother, who are forced to leave their wealthy ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and move to a life of poverty and hard work in a farm labor camp in Southern California.
Pérez, Amada Irma. My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aquí hasta allá. Illus by Maya Christina González. Tr. by Consuelo Hernández. 2002. 32p. Children’s Book Press, $16.95 (0-89239-175-8).
Gr. 2–4. When young Amada overhears her parents talk about leaving their home in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to find work in Los Angeles, she confides her fears, hopes, and apprehensions to her diary. In a parallel format, this bilingual edition touchingly describes Amada’s concerns, which will resonate with immigrant children who have left their own family, friends, and belongings behind. Papá’s reassuring tone and Amada’s newly found strength in her new home are beautifully depicted in González’s imaginative, colorful double-page spreads, which show a Mexican family in busy transition. Unfortunately, in contrast to the sensitive, well-written English version, the Spanish rendition includes several colloquial or nonstandard forms and usages that some parents (and teachers) may consider unacceptable.
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. La bandera que amamos (The Flag We Love). Illus. by Ralph Masiello. Tr. by Yanitzia Canetti. 2002. 32p. Charlesbridge, paper, $7.95 (1-57091-519-9).
Gr. 2–4. Maintaining the sentimental tone of the original English version, Canetti’s easy-to-read Spanish rendition celebrates the American flag in sometimes awkward verses accompanied by boxed historical information. The full-page oil paintings on the right-hand pages illustrate numerous situations in which the flag is used—from school ceremonies to Fourth of July picnics to sporting events. As a post-9/11 symbol of solidarity, this call to flag waving may appeal to some Spanish speakers.
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Un caballo llamado Libertad (Riding Freedom). Illus. by Brian Selznick. Tr. by Nuria Molinero. 2001. 140p. Scholastic, paper, $4.50 (0-439-23761-0).
Gr. 4–7. Ryan’s spirited, fictionalized account of nineteenth-century individualist Charlotte (Charley) Parkhurst, equestrian, stagecoach driver, and business entrepreneur, is now available in a somewhat stiff Spanish rendition. Despite the awkwardness, the book will still draw children who relish tales of adventure and courage during the days when women had less personal freedom. Selznick’s original black-and-white art has been faithfully reproduced.
Schami, Rafik. Alberto y Lila (Albert & Lila). Illus. by Els Cools and Oliver Streich. Tr. by Gerardo Gambolini. 2002. 26p. North-South, paper, $6.95 (0-7358-1695-6).
Gr. 2–4. Alberto is rejected by his pig friends because he is white. Lila, an old hen who cannot lay eggs, is scorned by her friends in the hen house. Despite being outcasts, they rejoice in their friendship and devise a plan to outsmart a sly fox. Gambolini’s straightforward Spanish text and the frolicsome watercolor illustrations add a mirthful tone to a story about age and color discrimination, which was first published in Switzerland.
Brown, Margaret Wise. El conejito andarín (The Runaway Bunny). Illus. by Clement Hurd. Tr. by Aida E. Marcuse. 2002. 32p. Harper Arco Iris, $7.95 (0-694-01650-0).
PreS. Brown’s classic story about a little rabbit who wants to run away is now available in a cheerful Spanish version that maintains the soothing rhythm of the original English. Both Spanish-speaking listeners and their parents will be touched by the color and black-and-white illustrations that show the mischievous rabbit and his reassuring mother.
Dominguez, Kelli Kyle. The Perfect Piñata / La piñata perfecta. Illus. by Diane Patterson. Tr. by Teresa Mlawer. 2002. 32p. Albert Whitman, $14.95 (0-8075-6495-8).
PreS–Gr. 2. Marisa, whose sixth birthday is just one week away, is happily making plans with her mother for her birthday party. She is especially delighted with the bright yellow piñata she selected; but the day of the party, she can’t bear to hit it. Fortunately, her parents solve her dilemma: a garbage bag takes the place of her piñata, and Marisa gets to keep her beautiful butterfly. The layout of the bilingual text may confuse some children (Spanish and English appear in the same font, sometimes, but not always, on opposite pages), but the watercolor illustrations have a strong Mexican American flavor, the English text is peppered with Spanish words, and Mlawer’s Spanish is both fluid and lively. A book that will appeal across language boundaries.
Falda, Dominique. El cofre del tesoro (The Treasure Chest). Tr. by Gerardo Gambolini. 2002. 26p. illus. North-South, paper, $6.95 (0-7358-1698-0).
PreS–Gr. 2. When Ardilla finds a treasure chest, all her animal friends imagine what’s inside. Conejo believes the chest holds carrots; Tejón imagines balloons to play with; Oso is sure it is full of honey; and Topo anticipates a pair of sunglasses. Although Búho is sure that he will drive everyone out with her new treasure, Ardilla is delighted to bake a cake for her friends with her findings. Falda’s whimsical, brightly colored illustrations and Gambolini’s simple Spanish rendition make for a playful book about friendship.
James, Diane and Sara Lynn. Bajo el agua (Underwater). Illus. by Siobhan Dodds. (1-58728-384-0).
James, Diane and Sara Lynn. Casas de animals (Animal Homes). Illus. by Sue Cony. (1-58728-385-9).
James, Diane and Sara Lynn. En la granja (On the Farm). Illus. by Siobhan Dodds. (1-58728-489-8).
James, Diane and Sara Lynn. Pájaros (Birds). Illus. by Sue Cony. (1-58728-387-5).
Watts, Claire. En safari (On Safari). Illus. by Louise Voce. (1-58728-399-9).
Watts, Claire. Mascotas (Pets). Illus. by Louise Voce. (1-58728-488-X).
Ea. v.: Tr. by Susana Pasternac. 2001. 24p. Two Can, $9.95.
K–Gr. 2. Books in the Descubre los Animales series feature striking close-up photos in full color and amusing drawings and a simple text that explains basic facts about animals. Bajo el agua describes popular aquatic animals such as dolphins, whales, and octopuses. Casas de animals shows how different animals make their nests, caves, or homes. Farm animals are shown in En la granja. Popular birds such as eagles, owls, penguins, and parrots are featured in Pájaros. Well-known animals from the African plains, such as elephants, hippos, lions, and zebras, appear in En safari. Mascotas depicts various pets, such as dogs, hamsters, parakeets, and fish.
Perrault, Charles. Cenicienta (Cinderella). Illus. by Loek Koopmans. Tr. from the German by Gerardo Gambolini. 2002. 28p. North-South, paper, $6.95 (0-7358-1572-0).
PreS–Gr. 3. Based on Perrault’s traditional tale, which was first published in 1697, this accessible Spanish rendition has all the well-known characters—from the mean-spirited stepmother to the kindhearted godmother—and maintains the story’s charm. Koopmans’ detailed, full-page illustrations, in misty pinks, blues, and yellows, convey the gentle mood that young Spanish speakers (and their parents) expect.
Pfister, Marcus. Somos como somos (Just the Way You Are). Tr. by Ariel Almohar. 2002. 28p. illus. North-South, $15.88 (0-7358-1654-9).
PreS–Gr. 2. Various animals complain about their appearance as they discuss an upcoming party. León (Lion) wishes to have Tucán’s (Toucan’s) wings and bright beak; Elefante (Elephant) wishes he could hop like Canguro (Kangaroo); Cigüeña (Stork) wishes she had León’s mane, and so forth. In spite of their complaints, they all go to the party and have a wonderful time. Pfister’s imaginative, rough-textured, brightly colored illustrations with die-cut holes revealing the fancied animals and Almohar’s simple, repetitive Spanish text make this an enjoyable story despite the not-so-subtle message about self-acceptance.
Rey, H. A. Jorge el curioso monta en bicicleta (Curious George Rides the Bike). Tr. by Yanitzia Canetti. 2002. 48p. illus. Houghton, $14.95 (0-618-21615-4); paper, $5.95 (0-618-19677-3).
PreS–Gr. 3. When Jorge gets a new bicycle for his birthday, his curiosity gets him in trouble. Fortunately, the always mischievous little monkey finds a way to save the day by courageously rescuing a scared baby bear and riding his bicycle in a circus parade. Canetti’s lively Spanish rendition is as appealing as the original English version, which was first published in 1952.
Walsh, Melanie. ¿Tienen rayas los cerditos? (Do Pigs Have Stripes?). Tr. by Yanitzia Canetti. 2002. 28p. illus. Houghton, $5.95 (0-618-20319-2).
Walsh, Melanie. ¿Trinan los monos? (Do Monkeys Tweet?). Tr. by Yanizia Canetti. 2002. 28p. illus. Houghton, $5.95 (0-618-20318-4).
PreS. Just as enticing as the original English editions, Canetti’s Spanish renditions have maintained Walsh’s simple, off-the-wall inquiries that will prompt young Spanish-speaking children to participate as each page reveals an animal sound or characteristic. These well-constructed board books with large, black letters and brightly colored, witty illustrations will charm young children and their parents.
—Isabel Schon
(Booklist/November 1, 2002)