Customer Reviews

Chato's Kitchen (Live Oak Readalong)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Any controversy surrounding this book is misplaced. It is a well-written story that entices children to want to to read it and other books. Rarely is there such a fine blending between the words of the author and the pictures of the illustrator. My students love this book and read it again and again.

The book put me in a good mood. It is in English, but there are some Spanish words that are hard to read sometimes. I really liked the part when the cat was sneaking up behind the bird. The cat then heard the five mice walking, and he started swinging his tail to the rhythm of their walking. The cat goes up to the gate and ends up scaring the mice. That was only one of the funny scenes. The book has one more funny part at the end that I don't want to give away. Anybody who reads this book will love it!

The grandparent's picked up this book for my 5-yr old and it instantly became a favorite..not just of her's, but of the whole family! The story-line is cute enough for kids and witty enough for adults and the detailed illustrations add to the genuineness of the characters and the setting. Gary Soto knows how to convey the Mexican American experience with style and humor.

I really think this book is great because there were so many things in the book that remind me of my life as I was growing up as a child. I really like the language that is used in the story because it entangles a little of the Bilingual language with English. I read this book to my students and it was a big hit with them. They read it over and over again every day. I asked some of them why they liked it so much and many of them responsded that they could relate to the story line in one way or another. The school that I teach at it predominantly Hispanic and so this book has really touched base with all of my students in one way or another. I hope that Gary Soto never quits writing these kinds of wonderful books!

What a great story! I have read this book to my 4th grade class and they love it. It's for children of all ages. The illustrations are outstanding and as usual Gary Soto is very entertaining.

Chato's Kitchen is without question one of the best children's books of all time. It has it all: an innovative story, style, rhythm, subtlety, twist, message, fantastic illustrations, and an introduction to foreign language and culture. Oh, and your kid will love it too.

Chato's Kitchen is a magnificent book that can really attract the attention of young readers. The language that is being used and the way it is expressed truly makes it a great book. As one reads the book, there is never any part that becomes boring, infact it is fun to read all the way through. The amusing plot and story helps us understand it well. Gary Soto knows exactly what great literature is all about. I would really recommend this book to any person young or old, both will enjoy it!

I cannot stand Chato's Kitchen, but more specifically I cannot stand the portrayal of a Hispanic gangster cat. This is a character that is in no way lovable or intriguing but to me rather disgusting, stereotypical, and violating. I like books that mix Spanish and English and do like that element in this book as well as the fact it has a glossary, but the way in which this book does this along with the illustrations of the characters comes across as nothing but sleazy.

Chato is a character in more than one Soto book. He is an urban cat who looks Hispanic and, frankly, a little sleazy (his cat friends likewise have mustaches and wear gold chains and wife beaters). When a family of ratoncitos (mice) moves into the neighborhood, Chato hatches a scheme to invite them to dinner. They will be dinner, of course.

The mouse family reluctantly accepts the invitation, thrilling Chato and his friend, who hasten to begin preparing side dishes to go with the mice. But when the mice arrive on the back of their dog friend, the cats are frightened into toeing the line for the rest of the evening.

This Pura Belpre award winner includes what appear to be acrylic illustrations featuring thick, black outlines and lots of purple morning glories. I suspect there is more in the illustrations than meets the unpracticed eye. For instance, a group of birds seen several times are celebrating a wedding. There is a religious-looking shrine set up in Chato's house. And when the cats first encounter the dog their skeletons are visible underneath their skin. One of the cats looks like Edvard Munch's The Scream.

There are also a glossary and a menu of Spanish terms. Anyone who frequents Mexican restaurants would be familiar with most of the menu terms.

I believe this book would be a favorite choice for read-aloud because there is a good deal of silly action you could act out.

Soto tells the story of a low-riding cat from the barrio, Chato and his pal Novio Boy as they attempt to have, errrr, invite the raticitos who have just moved in next door. My 5 year old loves it. It's a wonderful introduction to another culture without being didactic as well as just a fine story