Book To Reality

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale by Duncan Tonatiuh

Summary: Pancho Rabbit’s father had gone way to the US for work so that he could make enough money to take of the family. His family missed him very much, and soon he would be home. Pancho’s mom made all Pancho’s dad favorite foods, mole, rice, beans, and tortillas. His mom even made Aguamiel, which was Pancho’s dad’s favorite drink. The party was ready for when his father finally arrived. However, Pancho’s father didn’t come that night, as everyone left the party, they all assured Pancho and his family that his father would be home soon enough. That night, Pancho could not take it anymore, he was going to search for his father. He took some his father’s favorite food and his favorite drink, and while his mother and siblings were fast asleep, Pancho snuck off into the night. Not soon after leaving, Pancho met Coyote who said he would help, but only if Pancho gave him the mole he had in his bag. So, Pancho gave it to home, just so he be closer to his father. When they were about to cross the river, Coyote said that he would need some rice and beans to give him strength, and because Pancho could not swim, he gave him the food, and they crossed the river. They they were caught by some snakes, but they were able to get away by distracting them with the toritalls Pancho had. Next, they were crossing the desert, and it was so hot that both the Coyote and Pancho drank all of the aguamiel. When the day was over, they stopped in a shack and Coyote built a fire to keep them warm. Then Coyote asked if Pancho had any more food and drink, when he said not, Coyote said that that means he’ll just have to eat Pancho. However, before Coyote could make a move on home, in burst in Pancho’s father and his friends Senor Ram and Senor Rooster. They scared off the coyote and father and san were reunited. Pancho’s father and revealed to Pancho they they had been attacked and robbed by crows, and this is why they were late. When they arrived home. Their family was so happy to see them all. Pancho’s siblings told him to never do that again, because they were so worried, but also that they were happy to see him. Now all the town gathered again to celebrate their homecoming. During the party, Papa Rabbit told everyone about the robbery. His family begged him not to leave again, but Papa Rabbit said that if they have a good harvest this year, then he won’t have to. Pancho and his siblings all announced that they would go with their father if they he had to leave again. Papa Rabbit, just chuckled and said to hope that they had a good harvest.

Review: This book is a bilingual book, and it even has a glossary in the back. It’s important threaders can identify with characters in the books they read. At ages 5 -9, students are beginning to see the differences in their peers from themselves, and it is important they they know they are not alone in whatever situation they are in. I would love to have this book in my classroom, especially during Hispanic Heritage month we talk to our students about the culture and way of life people live right next door.

Chato and the Party Animals by Gary Soto, Illustrated by Susan Guevara

Summary: Chato and his friend Noio boy were at a birthday party for their friend, Chorizo, when Chaot noticed that Novio wasn’t having a good time. When Chato asked about it, Novio Boy revealed he had never had a birthday party before. Chato then got an idea, he would throw a birthday party for him! Chato bought everything he needed and all of Novio Boy’s friends. However, the day of the party when everyone arrived, Novio Boy was no here to be seen, that’s when Chato realized he had forgotten to invite Novio Boy! So everyone went on a search for Novio boy. The more they searched for them the more worried everyone got. They all thought the worst. Everyone went back to Chato’s house and they began talking about the good things about Novio Boy, when suddenly Novio Boy jumped over the fence with two of his friends. Everyone was so happy to see him. Novio Boy had been hanging out with his friends all day and wasn’t in any danger at all. Novio Boy was so excited about the his first birthday party, he even said it was the best one he has ever been to.

Review: This book was very colorful and even provided a glossary for the spanish works that were in the text. The story is would be great for a lesson about caring for other people and friendships. While this book, is intended for the 5-8 year old. I don’t think that the younger readers would understand the art, however the story is on they would really enjoy.

Nino Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales

Summary: Nino is a Luchador, and he is ready for anybody who challenges him. He fights off The Guanajuato Mummy, the Olmec Head, La Llorona, El Extraterrestre, and El Chamuco. However, there is one opponent will be a challenge; Las Hermanitas. Just when it looks like they girls are about to win, Nino does his best move ever, he joins in their fu, and they become Los Tres Hermanos. They are ready for anybody who challenges them.

Review: This book is such a fun book to read aloud, and not only 4 to 8 year olds, but the younger ones, too. This would be another great book to read for fun, when learning about he different cultures in Texas, and even during Hispanic Heritage Month. I would love to have this fun book in my classroom.

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena, Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Summary: CJ and his Nana are leaving church and heading to the bus when it begins to rain. And on their way to wherever they are going CJ asks a lot of questions, and Nana has all the answers, just not in the way CJ expects. Under his Nana’s umbrella, CJ asks why it’s raining, and Nana says, because trees need to drink, too. At the bus stop CJ asks why they don’t have a car, and Nana says it’s because then they wouldn’t know Mr. Dennis, the bus driver. On the bus CJ ask why they go to the place they are going to, and Nana says, if they didn’t then they wouldn’t know Bob, or the Sunglass Man, or get to see Trixie’s new hat. Later on, CJ ask why a man is blind, and Nana says that some people see differently. Next, CJ says he wishes he had a music player like two other boys on the bus, but then Nana says if he did he wouldn’t get to her the guitar player sitting across from them. When the man started to play, CJ felt free and like he could fly. Finally it was their stop, and when they got off CJ looked around and asked why the neighborhood was so dirty, and Nana said it so they can see beauty better. And when they finally arrived at the Soup Kitchen, CJ was glad he came.

Review: This book is written just like it was CJ’s head and I think that kids would get a kick out of reading a book that sounds just like them. This story is also on they could relate to, because the character ask questions about everything and they’re questions any kid would have, and he’s spending time with his grandma.At the ages of 3-6 these are things that they notice in their lives. I am very eager to put this in my future classroom.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

Summary: Clover’s mother told her that she could not play on the other side of the fence because it was not safe. One day a girl in a pink sweater asked Clover and her friends if she could jump rope with them, but before Clover could say anything, her friend Sandra said no. Clover asked her mom why she couldn’t go on the other side, but she still didn’t quite understand. When it rain, and it did a lot, Clover had to stay inside, but when she looked out the window, she would always see that girl playing around in the puddles. One day, when Clover was finally able to go outside she got to meet the little girl. Her name was Annie. Annie got up on the fence and sat on it, then invited Clover to do the same. Clover said her mom told her about not going to the other side, and Annie said her mom told her the same thing, but her mom never told her she couldn’t sit on it. Clover decided it was okay to sit up there with Annie. And the sat together a lot for the rest of the summer. Clover’s friends, even Sandra, didn’t understand what she was doing up on the fence talking to Annie. Her mom even noticed, but didn’t tell her she had to stop. One day Clover’s friends were playing, so Clover asked if her and Annie could play, and they did. Now, they all sit on the fence. Annie says that one day the fence will come down, and Clover agrees.

Review: It can be hard for 5 to 8 year olds to understand why the country was segregated for a long time, a story like this one may help them understand what it looked like for children their age at the time. It would fit in perfectly with a lesson over the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. I would put this in my classroom in a heartbeat.

Book Fiesta by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Summary: Children’s Day is here and so is Book Day! Children read in many languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, and Navajo. They read everywhere they can: with their families, at the library, in a car, a plane, with puppies, on an elephant, on a whale, a submarine, in a hot aire balloon, even in our beds.

Review: There is a Mother’s Day, a Father’s day, and a Grandparents day. However, April 30 is Children’s and Book’s Day! Children should know that they are important and celebrated. This book, a Bilingual book, shows a diverse group of children ready a diverse collection of books is various places and it is wonderful. Ages 5-8 would would love this book yes, and so would the youngers ones!. I would love to have this book in my classroom!

Going to the Doctor by Kira Freed

Summary: What should you know about going to see the doctor? This book has the answers. There will be nice nurses who get all kind of information, your height, weight, even blood pressure. Next, you will see the doctor. The doctor will check on how you are doing, if you sick, if you are in pain, and what he can do to make you feel better. They will check on things like your heart, eyes ears, reflexes, even your stomach. Also, there are some tips on how to stay healthy, like eating right, exercising, and enjoying life.

Review: Sometimes going to the doctor can be scary, especially for preschoolers and kindergarteners. This book would help them to know exactly what the doctor do and they it is important to go. This would be helpful in a lesson about helpers in our local communities. I would have this in my library, no doubt about it.