Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Fun and vibrant festivities fill the pages of this bilingual, rhyming picture book. As the fiesta begins, families gather together, surrounded by bright balloons and flags, and take a seat, waiting for a parade to begin. Dancers in colorful traditional dresses and gymnasts in bright suits follow decorated cars, while the crowd enjoys watermelon, hamburgers, and lots of laughter. Fire trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, large wildlife floats, horses, and lovely costumed dogs entertain the diverse crowds, who dance along to the music. As clouds begin to gather and drops to fall, it is clear that there is no way it will rain on this parade. The showers cool off the crowds, who are treated to a beautiful rainbow and stay to watch the evening fireworks. Lilting, bilingual stanzas match each vibrantly illustrated spread, and the expertly rhyming lines help reinforce pronunciation of the Spanish words. People of all backgrounds are portrayed enjoying the festivities together, filling the scenes with happiness and friendship that are sure to make young readers wish to be a part of this colorful world. Details included in each illustration, such as the different types of costumes the dogs are wearing, are sure to have children returning to this title again and again. A perfect addition to children's picture-book collections.--Selenia Paz Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-A celebration that includes a parade and fireworks is taking place in town. The joyous occasion is described in rhyming couplets in Elya's trademark use of English punctuated with Spanish words: "Yes, today's a party día./Take a bite of pink sandía,/tacos, hot dogs, hamburguesas-/lots of laughter, fun sorpresas." One couplet misfires though, while "rincón" rhymes with "balcón," it is the wrong word for corner. The correct term in this case is "esquina." A light rain falls on the parade but does not dampen spirits and the festivities continue until the night sky sparkles with a fireworks display. Curious readers might wonder where, when, but more especially, why this celebration is happening. Aranda's watercolor, gouache, and ink-on-watercolor paper illustrations are lively and whimsical. The people in the town represent many ethnicities, ages, and family types, realistically portraying any town in the U.S. Observant readers may notice that the people introduced on the first spread continue to show up throughout. Lots of Mexican details-papel picado, dancers in the traditional Jalisco dress, musicians that appear to be dressed as mariachis, a marimba player, and a piñata-potentially indicate a Mexican holiday. But this is not necessarily so; and if so, which one? VERDICT A lack of specificity and forced rhymes mar this celebración. Consider for collections where Elya's other books are popular.-Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Get your family--one, two, three! / Are you ready? !Claro! !Si!" A small-town summer celebration is the thread that weaves fourteen brightly illustrated spreads together. The rhymes on each page, which include Spanish words in bold text, flow well and will inspire young readers to carefully inspect the detailed watercolor and ink scenes. Rain or shine, la celebracisn continues! Glos. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Rhyming couplets in English and Spanish offer a language lesson to readers who join multicultural friends at a vibrant neighborhood celebration with music, fireworks, and a fabulous parade. The day begins with sunshine as the text invites readers to follow a happy, interracial group that includes children and adults of varying skin tones to a celebration of Latinx culture on the town plaza. Watch the festivalgoers hold hands as they wander amid balloons and banderas. Enjoy the crowd as they eat hot dogs and hamburguesas while enjoying a parade that includes a big red fire engine, a line of fast blue motocicletas, gymnasts, flamenco dancers, musicians, antique cars, and floats. See young children celebrate with parents, caregivers, and grandparents in vibrant double-page spreads that feature approximately 50 diverse characters who reappear. Young readers will enjoy studying the illustrations to find the familiar faces with whom they started the day. Even as the party is briefly interrupted by a storm, the joy isn't dampenedonly improved by a rainbow with its colors labeled in Spanish. The book is a triumph for Elya and Aranda, whose rollicking rhymes and engaging pictures, respectively, portray different cultures sharing fun activities. Cognates are used in the Spanish text, making the language lesson easy for English-only readers. There is a glossary at the back of the book to clarify if needed. A splendor for the senses even as it promotes togetherness and teaches a second language. A great addition to any library! (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
