From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—Going to visit Grandma is always fun. In this book, it is doubly fun-in English and Spanish. The day begins with "Buenos días/Good morning." Suitcases in a corner of the bedroom and an airplane on a nightstand indicate a trip in the works. A brother and sister and their father leave their New York City apartment in a taxi, board an airplane, and fly over clouds and fields. They take a bus past pastel houses nestled among tropical trees until they reach Abuelita's casa. The soft, pastel shades of the realistic illustrations on full-bleed, full spreads create a warm, cheerful atmosphere. The art tells the story; the one or two words per page are more labels than narrative.—
Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Similar in concept to Guy and Escriva's bilingual
My School / Mi Escuela (2006), this simple picture book follows a father and his son and daughter as they get up one morning ("Buenos dias. Good morning") and take a taxi from their city apartment to the airport. They board a plane ("Avion. Airplane. / Boleto. Ticket") and fly away to visit the children's grandmother, who plays with them and tucks them into bed ("Buenas noches. Good night"). Each double-page spread offers a well-composed and nicely detailed scene for children to absorb, while the brief text introduces a couple of words or phrases in both Spanish and English. The more rural, tropical setting at the grandmother's home contrasts with the children's urban neighborhood; each has its own charms in the engaging pencil-and-watercolor illustrations. A natural for reading aloud in homes and classrooms where both English and Spanish are spoken. Pair this with Susan Middleton Elya's
Bebe Goes Shopping (2006).
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
