I AM RENÉ, THE BOY

Humorous illustrations, marked by oversized heads, mildly Cubist perspectives and rich pastels, combine with a wry narrative tone to fashion a marvelous look not simply at names shared by boys and girls, but also the transformation required of Spanish-speaking children as they remake themselves into English speakers. René the boy, a native El Salvadoran, is taken aback and then relieved to learn the name of the new girl in his class: taken aback that it’s pronounced the same as his, relieved that it’s spelled Renee. His discomfort leads him to research his name and write about it for a school essay contest, which he wins. The text moves swiftly forward in both English and Spanish, and René’s essay provides a convincing and pertinent way for the author to point out the strong benefits of being bilingual and bi-national. A winner all-around. (Picture book. 6-9)