El piñatero/ The Piñata Maker (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Beto is taking old newspapers and brown paper cement bags to Don Ricardo, the village pinata maker..." (more)
Key Phrases: Don Ricardo

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Ancona has once again created a photo essay that brings his subject into lively and vibrant focus. A day in the life of Don Ricardo Nu?ez Gijon, or Tio Rico, a pi?ata maker, is a busy round of artistry blended with practicality. The step-by-step creation of a swan, a star, and a carrot is described. The balance between text and illustration is masterful, and both the English and Spanish narratives have an easy flow. Tio Rico is a matter-of-fact yet charming character; along with illuminating his craft, Ancona shows the man's place in his village. By the end of the book, children will understand more about Mexican culture and values. A loving introduction to Hispanic customs, lifestyles in Mexico, and the art of pi?ata production.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 7-9. Writer-photographer Ancona takes children to a Mexican village to meet Tío Rico, an old man who makes beautiful piñatas, puppets, and masks for parties and festivals. Exceptionally clear and well composed, the full-color photographs bring the village, the people, and the craft of piñata-making sharply into focus. On each page, the text appears in English, then in Spanish. Clearly written in both languages, the dual English/Spanish text provides a good bridge for children learning either as a second language, and also makes the book accessible to those who know one or the other. Not just a how-to manual, the book has a narrative strand, following Tío Rico as he buys the materials for his crafts, makes them, sells them, and finally, attends a party where the children break open a piñata. A delightful introduction to the subject and a memorable glimpse of one Mexican village and its people. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks; 1st edition (March 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152000607
• ISBN-13: 978-0152000608
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #557,298 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming and Interesting Bilingual Book, November 29, 2001

By	Linda Parrish (Tifton, GA United States) - See all my reviews

The Piñata Maker describes how a Mexican gentleman, Don Ricardo, became a piñata maker. It elaborates on how he makes his beautiful piñatas, while including a description of his way of life. The book is fantastic for individuals who are studying either English or Spanish. I'm using it both to become more familiar with Spanish and to teach English to a Spanish speaking person. It is written on an appropriate level for adults to use in this manner, but it is also an excellent book for children.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming and educational book, June 16, 2001

By	"margiep2" (Victoria, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Piñata Maker / El Piñatero (Bilingual Edition) (Hardcover)

Both my 5 & 3 year-old children LOVE this book. It is a nice combo of something fun (the pinatas, the design, & just the thought of candy...) and reality (photos of Don making pinatas). It is simple enough for them to understand, and captivating enough for even my younger child. We haven't delved much into the spanish text, but will eventually. For now, we're working on making the star for my daughter's sixth birthday party!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BILINGUAL DELIGHT !!, January 4, 2003

By	mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews

Tio Rico lives in a village in Oaxaca (wah-ha-kah), Mexico. He is a 77 year-old who became a pinata maker when rheumatism made it too difficult to continue his business of making sombreros.

A village boy collects newspapers and concrete sacks for Tio Rico. These he uses to fashion unusual and decorative pinatas. The process is explained by a delightful profusion of photographs which accompany the story. The author, George Ancona, also shows "puppets" which are child-size papier-mache forms worn by young folk dancers. He shows his own version of pinata formed over cardboard or balloons for those of us who cannot buy clay pots at a local market.

Children everywhere will enjoy this colorful book and be eager to try the craft. With luck, they will have patient teachers and learn some Spanish and/or English words, too! My favorite companion book is "Colors of Mexico" (isbn: #1575052164), illustrated by Janice Porter.

"THE PINATA MAKER" is a 5-star book for adults as well as children, and most appropriate for the 2003 church women's study of Mexico. Find a group of children to share this book with, and increase your enjoyment three-fold.