An attractive alphabet book that effectively explores horses and cowboys in two languages.
A bilingual children’s book that explores the alphabet through the Spanish-influenced traditions of the rodeo.
Pérez’s previous volume, ¡Todos a Celebrar! (2019), touched on various aspects of Hispanic culture in an alphabet book in the English and Spanish languages. In this latest addition to her series, she turns to the rodeo and its origins in the world of cowboys. Once again, the book aims to teach children new words while also emphasizing their connection to the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Americas. Each page presents a different rodeo-related concept, from “arena” to “the zillion cattle brands,” with a short description and a question designed to encourage a response, such as “Have you seen a horse with horseshoes?” The full text appears in both English and Spanish, and it’s clear and readable in both languages. Full-color photographs, including stock images, feature rodeo cowboys as well as children on horseback in traditional costume or working with animals. Although some words (“gallop,” “bronco,” “mustang”) are drawn from the world of horses in general, others, such as “escaramuza” (a choreographed routine performed by women on horseback), are specific to Latino culture and Mexico’s in particular. The book takes a few liberties in order to find a word for every letter (such as “Xx is for the shape of barbed wire”), but on the whole, it does a good job of matching the format to the theme. Pérez is also skilled at connecting well-known elements of cowboy culture to their Hispanic origins, making the book useful as more than just an alphabet primer. The images and text are engaging and dynamic throughout, and adults and children will find it enjoyable to read and discuss together.
An attractive alphabet book that effectively explores horses and cowboys in two languages.Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-9822422-7-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Del Alma Publications, LLC
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties.
What is being a Swiftie all about? Finding joy in the things you love!
For Taylor Swift and her fans, love comes from baking tasty desserts, snuggling with pets, enjoying fireworks with friends, and attending concerts. Vibrant illustrations that evoke bright pop music are scattered with references to Taylor’s life, such as a red sports jersey (a nod to her high-profile relationship with a certain Kansas City Chiefs tight end) or a stack of friendship bracelets (which devotees know are commonly made by hand and traded at Swift’s concerts). Without this prior knowledge of Swift lore, this peppy picture book may feel like a somewhat superficial, though positive, list of ways to find happiness; some readers may wish the author had included messages about acceptance and self-love, commonly found in Swift’s lyrics. Still, the intended audience will welcome it as a joyful love letter to her fans. Pops of color splash across scenes of Taylor and a racially diverse set of friends doing their favorite things atop a stark white background. The star’s recognizable fashion style and facial features are spot-on, while most other featured characters feel more generic.
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781665973519
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer.
Rotner follows up her celebrations of spring and autumn with this look at all things winter.
Beginning with the signs that winter is coming—bare trees, shorter days, colder temperatures—Rotner eases readers into the season. People light fires and sing songs on the solstice, trees and plants stop growing, and shadows grow long. Ice starts to form on bodies of water and windows. When the snow flies, the fun begins—bundle up and then build forts, make snowballs and snowmen (with eyebrows!), sled, ski (nordic is pictured), skate, snowshoe, snowboard, drink hot chocolate. Animals adapt to the cold as well. “Birds grow more feathers” (there’s nothing about fluffing and air insulation) and mammals, more hair. They have to search for food, and Rotner discusses how many make or find shelter, slow down, hibernate, or go underground or underwater to stay warm. One page talks about celebrating holidays with lights and decorations. The photos show a lit menorah, an outdoor deciduous tree covered in huge Christmas bulbs, a girl next to a Chinese dragon head, a boy with lit luminarias, and some fireworks. The final spread shows signs of the season’s shift to spring. Rotner’s photos, as always, are a big draw. The children are a marvelous mix of cultures and races, and all show their clear delight with winter.
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer. (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3976-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
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