PIÑATA!

Emberley’s mixed-media look at the piñata features a vibrant red background on which she has displayed the objects, mostly formed of cut paper, which form her illustrations. The story itself—written in both English and Spanish—primarily focuses on the objects contained within the piñata—bubble gum, rubber balls, hair ribbons, paper umbrellas—all of which Emberley lays out across the pages, either in cut-paper versions or with the objects themselves. The story’s brief; opening and closing sentences explain that the piñata is used for parties and that it’s broken to allow the gifts inside to spill out. In addition she has provided a historical comment on the origins of the piñata, an appendix of directions for making one’s own, and a “naming” page that encourages the young reader or listener to identify the various toys in both languages. Attractive, jaunty, and perfectly pitched both for preschoolers and the youngest students and for their parents and teachers. (Picture book/crafts. 3-6)