¡FIESTA!

Using the months of the year in Spanish and English as a structure, this engaging survey introduces holidays from all over Latin America, many of which are not found in other books. Some may rightly quibble with the designation “Latino” for the Haitian holiday described in July, but the book’s strengths compensate. Each double-page spread features Barragán’s stunning cut-paper illustrations, which dance across the pages in different ways, sometimes just at the top half, bisecting each page, sometimes cascading down across the text. A brief poem is on the left, short explanations of such festivals as Cinco de Mayo, Día de Los Santos Innocentes and the pre-Columbian Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) in Peru are on the right. A longer and more meaningful description of each holiday with its country of celebration is at the back and must be read to fully understand the significance of the customs alluded to in the main part of the text. Although there is a Spanish pronunciation guide for the months, there is no bibliography or resources for further reading. (Nonfiction. 6-10)