Big Bushy Mustache (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-For his class's Cinco de Mayo play, Ricky, about six years old, turns down swords, pistols, a cape, a sarape, a sombrero, and other accoutrements for a fake mustache so he can play the role of a victorious Mexican soldier. With the bigote, the boy feels that he looks just like his father. Disobeying his teacher, Ricky sneaks the prop out of school and loses it on the way home. After spending an anxious evening trying to make another one, he prepares to face the music. It is then that his father delivers a clever solution. Soto sprinkles a few Spanish words into the English text. While buenos dias and gracias aren't too tough and even the meaning of bigote can be inferred, other terms, such as the informal contraction mi'jo, may be a bit of a challenge for those unfamiliar with the language. Cepeda's brightly colored, expressive acrylics will appeal to children, who will laugh at the teacher sporting pointy-rimmed eyeglasses, as well as at the improbable, oh-so-happy ending.
John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

It's almost Cinco de Mayo, and Ricky's class is going to put on a play to

celebrate the festive Mexican holiday. When asked to choose his costume, Ricky

picks a big, bushy mustache, just like his dad's. He's tired of everyone

telling him he looks like his mother. After all, he's a boy--he wants to look

like his Papi. Although he's supposed to leave it in school, Ricky wears the

mustache home, reveling all the way in how grown-up it makes him feel. But by

the time he gets there, the mustache is gone, and Ricky dreads having to tell

his teacher what happened. Lucky for him, his Mama and Papi have a plan. Ricky

is delighted the next morning when his Mama hands him a new big, bushy

mustache--fresh from the smiling face of his clean-shaven Papi! With humor and

tenderness, Soto evokes a warm celebration of both the beloved tradition of

Cinco de Mayo and the strong bonds of love between father and son.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; illustrated edition edition (April 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679880305
• ISBN-13: 978-0679880301
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #837,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting hairy with Gary Soto, November 18, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Big Bushy Mustache" combines text by Gary Soto with illustrations by Joe Cepada. They tell the story of Ricky, a young Latino boy. His teacher is planning to have the class put on a play about Cinco de Mayo, and Ricky will get to wear a costume mustache. But Ricky gets into a jam when he disobeys the teacher's instructions.

This is a fun book with an effective Latino flavor. Ricky is an engaging young hero. However, there is a weird gender identity subtext surrounding Ricky's feelings about the mustache; in my opinion, this aspect of the story is handled awkwardly. Otherwise this is a good choice for a multicultural collection of children's books.