Home Books in Spanish Published in the U S by Isabel Schon
Books in Spanish from Spanish-Speaking Countries
by Isabel Schon
Books for Older Readers
Cuentos de las 1001 noches (Stories from The Arabian Nights). Illus. by Javier Serrano and others. Tr. by Juan Tébar. 2001. 199p. Madrid: Grupo Anaya, $39.95 (84-667-0654-2).
Gr. 9–up. Six popular tales from India, Persia, and North Africa, known in English as “The Arabian Nights” and in the Spanish-speaking world as “Las 1001 noches,” are included in this large-format, illustrated edition. The quality of the illustrations is uneven, and Tébar maintains the sexual allusions and pejorative ethnic and racial descriptions of the original tales, which were intended for adults. Still, the telling is lively, and mature young adults will enjoy the stories.
Molina Llorente, María Isabel. Así van leyes donde quieren reyes (Laws as Wished by Kings). 2002. 115p. Madrid: Anaya, $10.95 (84-667-1646-7).
Gr. 7–10. Through Andrés, a 17-year-old Mozarab, readers are exposed to the controversies and struggles among monks during the Middle Ages in Spain. Mozarabs, a group of Spanish Christians who have adopted aspects of Arab culture, want to keep their traditions, but the king of Spain has other ideas. The engrossing narrative mixes elements of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian culture, believable characters, and an authentic picture of the times.
Nozière, Jean-Paul. La canción de Hannah (Hannah’s Song). Illus. by Jacques Ferrandez. Tr. by Ana Garralón. 2002. 148p. Madrid: Anaya, paper, $9.95 (84-667-1710-2).
Gr. 6–9. Set in 1940 in a small French village during the German occupation, this powerful novel explores how 10-year-old Louis and his parents are affected by anti-Semitism. Black-and-white illustrations complement the sinister tone of this Holocaust novel.
Books for Middle Readers
Dahl, Roald. Cuentos en verso para niños perversos (Revolting Rhymes). Illus. by Quentin Blake. Tr. by Miguel Azaola. 2001. 32p. Madrid: Alfaguara/Santillana, paper, $16.95 (84-204-4333-6).
Gr. 4–7. Azaola’s bantering Spanish rendition preserves the satire and easygoing rhythm of Dahl’s unconventional tellings of favorite fairy tales—among them, “La Cenicienta” (“Cinderella”) and “Juan y la habichuela mágica” (“Jack and the Beanstalk”). Blake’s pen-and-ink illustrations are as facetious as Dahl’s surprising interpretations. Mature, sophisticated youngsters will enjoy the spoofs and the parody. Azaola’s text includes occasional Peninsular Spanish conjugations.
Books for the Young
Carvajal, Víctor. Regalos de Viento (Viento’s Gifts). Illus. by Romina Carvajal. 2002. 36p. Santiago de Chile: Alfaguara, paper, $8.95 (956-239-212-0).
Gr. 2–4. This fresh story about Perro, an energetic dog, is pure fun. Perro is delighted with the many gifts he receives from his friend Viento (Wind), especially a delicious bone, a useful tree, and a frightened cat. But the best gift is his master’s smell, which always heralds the return of his young owner. Computer-generated, cartoonlike illustrations accompany the lighthearted text, which is filled with imagery, exaggeration, and wordplay.
Couto, Xoán. El sastrecillo valiente (Brave Little Tailor). Illus. by José Ignacio García. 2001. 34p. Pontevedra: Kalandraka, $15.95 (84-8464-067-1).
PreS–Gr. 2. In lively, easy-to-read text, Couto retells the classic Brothers Grimm story about the brave little tailor. Even more appealing than the story is the collage artwork, constructed from fabric, buttons, pins, thread, and lace; it adds a note of playfulness.
Larrondo, Valérie. Mamá fue pequeña antes de ser mayor (Mama Was Little before She Became an Adult). Illus. by Claudine Desmarteau. Tr. by Esther Rubio. 2001. 42p. Madrid: Editorial Kókinos, $14.95 (84-88342-30-6).
Gr. 1–3. As a child narrator talks about the absolutely wonderful things Mama did when she was little, a cartoon-style illustration depicts an obnoxious child doing the opposite. A description of Mama’s “good” behavior, “no se metía nunca el dedo en la nariz” (“She never picked her nose”), is paired with a cartoon depicting a girl doing just that with two fingers. Using “bad” words and playing with Mama’s makeup are among the other situations described, before the narrator sums things up with a big smile: “Siempre hay que creer lo que cuenta mamá” (“One has to always believe what Mama says”). Some adults may object to the double message, but children know that Mama is not always perfect.
Martínez, Rocío. Matías, pintor famoso (Matías, Famous Painter). 2002. illus. 22p. Caracas: Ediciones Ekaré, $15.95 (900-257-263-2).
PreS–Gr. 2. Matías, an enthusiastic young mole, paints a flock of birds. As he considers where to exhibit his work—a gallery, or a museum—the wind blows it into a mud puddle. Noticing Matías’ sadness, his friend Penelope suggests hanging the painting in her home. Matías agrees: “La casa de un amigo es mejor que mil museos” (“The house of a friend is better than a thousand museums”). The soft watercolor illustrations and the simple text combine to make a warmhearted story about friendship that little artists-to-be will especially appreciate.
Pennart, Geoffroy de. Sofía, la vaca que amaba la música (Sofía, the Music-Loving Cow). Tr. by Julia Vinent. 2001. illus. 34p. Barcelona: Editorial Corimbo, $19.95 (84-8470-027-5).
PreS–Gr. 2. Sofía, a friendly cow, loves to sing and play music. So when an important music contest is announced, she is eager to join an orchestra. But she is rejected by all: she is too thin, too short, too brown, too modest, or the wrong type. Fortunately, another musician suggests that they start their own orchestra, one in which talent is the only requirement. A delightful story about the joys of music and the absurdity of discrimination, with attractive illustrations and a refrain that will make the book wonderful for reading aloud.
Shannon, David. David se mete en líos (David Gets in Trouble). Tr. by Teresa Mlawer. 2002. illus. 32p. León: Editorial Everest, $13.95 (84-241-8661-3).
PreS–Gr. 2. Shannon’s new book about David, the snaggle-toothed, round-headed mischief-maker, is just as convincing as its predecessors, David va al colegio (David Goes to School) and ¡No, David! (No, David!). This time, David always has an excuse: “¡Fue un accidente!” (“It was an accident!”); “¡No fui yo!” (“No, it wasn’t me!”). When he finally accepts responsibility and apologizes, his loving mama is right there. Mlawer’s Spanish rendition, illustrated with vivacious pictures, will ring true to Spanish speakers.
Wells, Rosemary. Los 100 primeros días de escuela de Emilia (Emily’s First 100 Days of School). Tr. by Liwawai Alonso. 2001. illus. 54p. León: Editorial Everest, $19.95 (84-241-8019-4).
PreS–Gr. 2. Wells’ bright, large-format counting book maintains a joyful connection between school, numbers, and a child’s daily life. Beginning with number 1, Emilia, a charming bunny, tells about familiar situations she encounters. Whether adapting facts to the Spanish-speaking world, “El alfabeto español tiene veintisiete letras” (“The Spanish alphabet has 27 letters”) or presenting U.S. motifs, “La bandera de Estados Unidos tiene cincuenta estrellas” (“The flag of the United States has 50 stars”), this book provides wonderful counting, learning, and reading opportunities in both the text and the lively, tender ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Isabel Schon is director of the Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, California State University—San Marcos.
(Booklist/June 1 & 15, 2003)
|
