Hooray, a Pinata! [Hardcover]

Elisa Kleven (Author), Lidia Diaz (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up

Clara chooses a little dog pin+a1ata for her birthday party and begins to like it so much that she takes it on walks, feeds it, and makes it her very special friend, deciding to keep it as a pet rather than use it as a pin+a1ata on her birthday.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The best-laid party plans almost fall apart in this chipper outing. Clara wants to celebrate her birthday with her friends and the festivities are set to include a pi?ata. But Clara becomes so taken with the dog pi?ata she has chosen that she names the papier-mache pooch and takes him everywhere; she can't bear the thought that he will be broken. On the big day, Clara's friend Samson surprises her with a gift that saves the party as well as Clara's pi?ata pet. Kleven's (The Paper Princess; Abuela) perky writing speaks confidently to the everyday emotional ups and downs in the lives of children. The tolerance shown Clara's seemingly quirky ideas is positive and reassuring. Kleven's forceful paint-and-collage compositions remain kinetic fiestas of color and texture, spiced with the kind of Latin American flavor and visual detail that have helped make her work so recognizable. An endnote offers an informative history on the custom of smashing pi?atas at parties. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-For her upcoming birthday party, Clara selects a dog-shaped pi?ata. But as the big day approaches, she becomes increasingly attached to the dog, which she names Lucky and treats like a pet. Her friend Samson realizes that she will not want Lucky to be smashed into pieces. Happily, he saves the day with a simple gesture of friendship and thoughtfulness. The bright watercolor and cut-paper illustrations are a visual fiesta. Tiny details abound in the full- and double-page scenes, such as the fruits and vegetables lining the shelves of the outdoor market, and the tiny bicycles and birds in the streets. Although many of these details are best suited to close inspection, the overall scenes are large enough to captivate group audiences. An interesting "Note About Pi?atas" follows the text. Both the affectionate story and vibrant artwork are sure to please children.
Denise E. Agosto, Midland County Public Library, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525456058
• ISBN-13: 978-0525456056
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,055,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hooray A Pinata, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hooray, a Pinata! (Hardcover)

My 4-year-old daughter and I both loved this story. Theillustrations are colorful and lively and the dialogue is easy for ayoung child to follow. Hooray A Pinata is a great book to read when you're planning a child's birthday party. The story is about a little girl who chooses a little dog pinata to be used as a game for her birthday party. She ends up becoming friends with it and decides that she doesn't want to stuff it with candy and break it open. Her friend is disspointed because he loves playing pinata so he buys her a new huge pinata that they can use instead. A note of interest: the book explains that pinatas orginated in Italy. I didn't know that!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Elisa Kleven's Best!, December 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hooray, a Pinata! (Hardcover)

This book is a joy to read and examine. Elisa Kleven knows just how to combine words to make them seem magical. And the illustrations -- the art work is fabulous! She uses mixed media collage in a way that makes the characters seems real.
A great book for ages 4 - 104! I love it!