Children's books in Spanish.Bedtime Banks, Kate Si la luna pudiera hablar. (And If the Moon Could Talk.) Illus. by Georg Hallensleben. Trans. by Mireia Porta i Arnau. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 84-261-3131-X. Barcelona: Juventud, 2003. 34 pp. $18.95. In a simple, almost poetic Spanish rendition, an unseen narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. describes what the moon would say if it could talk: a child gets ready for bed, papa reads a story, a lion cares for her cubs, a toy rabbit listens to the radio, and mama comes in to say Buenas noches (Good night). Hallensleben's bold, double-page spreads add a dreamy quality to this quiet bedtime story bedtime story n. A story that is read or told to a child just before bedtime. . Ages 2-5. Family and Friends Cowan, Catherine (adapter) Mi vida con la ola. (My Life With the Wave.) Based on the story by Octavio Paz Octavio Paz Lozano (March 31, 1914 – April 19, 1998) was a Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat, and the winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Literature. Early life and writings Paz was born in 1914 in Mexico City during the Revolution. . Illus. by Mark Buehner. Trans. by Esther Rubio. ISBN 84-88342-45-4. Barcelona: Kokinos, 2003. 30 pp. $16.95. First adapted into English, Octavio Paz's short story by the same title is now available in this flowing version for young Spanish-speakers. Buehner's original powerful, humorous acrylic and oil paintings beautifully capture a young boy's special friendship with the wave as it progresses from a friendly, loving wave to a moody, monstrous wave that has to be carried back to the sea. To be sure, this is a delightful introduction for the young reader to the work of Octavio Paz, Mexico's only Nobel Prize Nobel Prize, award given for outstanding achievement in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, peace, or literature. The awards were established by the will of Alfred Nobel, who left a fund to provide annual prizes in the five areas listed above. laureate. Ages 5-9. Munson, Derek Pastel para enemigos. (Enemy Pie.) Illus. by Tara Calahan King. Trans. by Christiane Reyes. ISBN 82-261-3372-X. Barcelona: Juventud, 2004. 34 pp. $18.95. A young narrator tells about his perfect summer--perfect, that is, until Claudio Garcia moves to his neighborhood and becomes "enemy number one." His father proposes to make a pie that will get rid of the enemy, but he must first spend a day with Claudio and tienes que ser simpatico sim·pa·ti·co adj. 1. Of like mind or temperament; compatible. 2. Having attractive qualities; pleasing. [Italian simpatico (from simpatia, sympathy con el (be nice to him). After spending a fun day with Claudio and enjoying his father's delicious pie, the boy realizes that he has just lost mi mejor enemigo (my best enemy). King's large, stylized styl·ize tr.v. styl·ized, styl·iz·ing, styl·iz·es 1. To restrict or make conform to a particular style. 2. To represent conventionally; conventionalize. illustrations, full of humor and color, perfectly depict children's feelings about friends and "enemies." Ages 5-8. Ramirez, Antonio Napi. (Napi.) Illus. by Domi. ISBN 0-88899-611-X. Toronto: Groundwood, 2004. 40 pp. $15.95. In an informal, almost colloquial col·lo·qui·al adj. 1. Characteristic of or appropriate to the spoken language or to writing that seeks the effect of speech; informal. 2. Relating to conversation; conversational. , style, Napi, a Mazateca girl who lives in a village in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, describes her feelings about her family and surroundings. Despite the slight story and, at times, befuddling text (con un verde que se va oscureciendo poco a poco po·co a po·co adv. Music Little by little; gradually. Used chiefly as a direction. [Italian : poco, little + a, by + poco, little.] hasta verse como las partes mas profundas del rio Del Rio (rē`ō), city (1990 pop. 30,705), seat of Val Verde co., W Tex., on the Rio Grande opposite Ciudad Acuña, Mexico; founded 1868, inc. 1911. ), some children might appreciate the cultural references specific to the Mazatecas (e.g., pachota, huipiles). As in the English edition, the most appealing aspect of this book are Domi's vibrant double-page spreads, full of imagery and magical whimsy whim·sy also whim·sey n. pl. whim·sies also whim·seys 1. An odd or fanciful idea; a whim. 2. A quaint or fanciful quality: stories full of whimsy. , depicting the different colors of nature on the bank of the river. Ages 5-8. Wormell, Chris Dos ranas. (Two Frogs.) Trans. by Elodie Bourgeois. ISBN 84-261-3354-1. Barcelona: Juventud, 2004. 32 pp. $25.95. Exquisite double-page spreads of two frogs debating the value of a stick, which, one says, is to ward off the dog, are the perfect counterpart to this humorous cautionary tale. Maintaining the facetious tone of the original, first published by Jonathan Cape, London, this easy-to-read Spanish version will delight groups of young Spanish-speaking listeners / viewers, who will empathize em·pa·thize v. To feel empathy in relation to another person. with this surprised pair and their quick escapes. Ages 5-8. Music Aliki !Oh, musica! (Ah, Music!) Illus. by the author. Trans. by Graziella Bodmer. ISBN 82-261-3343-6. Barcelona: Editorial Juventud, 2004. 48 pp. $18.95. Aliki's always-expressive cartoonish illustrations, accompanied by well-placed word balloons, sidebars, captions, and a simple Spanish text, introduce readers / viewers to music--its origins, its history, and its ubiquitous role in all aspects of life. With such chapters as ?Que es la musica? (What Is Music?), Instrumentos de la orquesta (Instruments of the Orchestra), and Musica popular en un mundo pequeno (Popular Music in a Small World), this is indeed an enticing introduction to great music and great composers. Ages 7-9. For Older Children: Classical, Aztecs, and Computers Andersen, Hans Christian Andersen, Hans Christian, 1805–75, Danish poet, novelist, and writer of fairy tales. Reared in poverty, he left Odense at 14 for Copenhagen. He failed as an actor, but his poetry won him generous patrons including King Frederick VI. La sirenita y otros cuentos. (Cuentos Completos I) (The Little Mermaid and Other Stories I.) Illus. by Elena Odriozola. ISBN 84-667-4090-0. 317 pp. La pequena cerillera y otros cuentos. (Cuentos Completos II) (Little Match Girl and Other Stories II.) Illus. by Javier Saez Castan. ISBN 84-667-4010-4. 347 pp. Chiquilladas y otros cuentos. (Cuentos Completos III) (Childish Pranks and Other Stories.) Illus. by Carmen Carmen throws over lover for another. [Fr. Lit.: Carmen; Fr. Opera: Bizet, Carmen, Westerman, 189–190] See : Faithlessness Carmen the cards repeatedly spell her death. [Fr. Segovia. ISBN 84-6674011-2. 310 pp. Ea. vol.: Trans. by Enrique Bernardez. (Cuentos Completos) Madrid: Grupo Anaya, 2004. $15.95. Based on Andersen's original stories, first published in 1874, these smooth Spanish versions contain informative introductions by well-known Spanish authors and one or two color illustrations per story. La sirenita y otros cuentos includes 30 popular favorites, such as El traje nuevo del emperador (The Emperor's New Clothes Emperor’s New Clothes supposedly invisible to unworthy people; in reality, nonexistent. [Dan. Lit.: Andersen’s Fairy Tales] See : Illusion Emperor’s New Clothes ) and El patito feo (The Ugly Duckling). La pequena cerillera y otros cuentos includes 55 brief stories, some as well-known as Los zapatos rojos (The Red Shoes) and La rosa mas bella del mundo (The World's Fairest Rose), as well as lesser known stories. Chiquilladas y otros cuentos is a compilation of 33 stories, including such perennial favorites as Anne Lisbeth (Anne Lisbeth) and El titiritero (The Puppeteer). As an exhaustive compilation of Andersen's children's fiction, this series will be valued by the Danish author's numerous admirers in the Spanish-speaking world. Ages 9-12. Caneque, Carlos El pequeno Borges imagina el Quijote. (Young Borges Imagines Don Quixote.) Illus. by Ramon Moscardo. ISBN 84-89902-57-5. Barcelona: Sirpus, 2003. 30pp. $18.95. Intermingling reality with fiction, this story exposes readers to characters from great literature. Young Jorge Luis Borges Noun 1. Jorge Luis Borges - Argentinian writer remembered for his short stories (1899-1986) Borges, Jorge Borges , whose love of literature influenced his writing, imagines he is re-reading El Quijote. As he falls asleep, he dreams that he, his friend, Luisito (representing Don Quixote), and Sancho Panza battle the windmills. Moscardo's strong, bold illustrations, full of energy and color, recreate some of the most popular characters of literature in Spanish. Despite the ponderous pon·der·ous adj. 1. Having great weight. 2. Unwieldy from weight or bulk. 3. Lacking grace or fluency; labored and dull: a ponderous speech. See Synonyms at heavy. tone of this fantasy, devoted admirers of Borges and Cervantes will enjoy it. Others, however, should only read the one-page introduction to the life and work of each author. Ages 9-12. Isabel Schon is Director, Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, California State University San Marcos California State University San Marcos - (CSUSM) http://coyote.csusm.edu/. . Clare, John D. Los aztecas. (Aztec Life.) Trans. by Elizabeth Hahn Villagran. ISBN 968-24-7061-7. (Grandes Civilizaciones) Mexico: Trillas, 2004. 32 pp. $10.95 (paper). Originally published by Ticktock tick·tock n. The ticking sound made by a clock. [Imitative.] ticktock Noun a ticking sound made by a clock Noun 1. Publishing, London, this appealing introduction to Aztec life includes numerous color drawings and photos on every page, brief texts, and elucidative sidebars. In a simple two-page format, this engaging Spanish version describes such topics as Aztec food, games, jewelry, art and architecture, health and medicine, war, and religion. Ages 9-12. Isabel Schon is Director, Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, California State University San Marcos. Reiche, Dietlof Freddy, un hamster hamster, Old World rodent, related to the voles, lemmings, and New World mice. There are many hamster species, classified in several genera. All are solitary, burrowing, nocturnal animals, with chunky bodies, short tails, soft, thick fur, and large external cheek en peligro. (Freddy, a Hamster in Danger.) Trans. from the German by Maria FalcOn Quintana. ISBN 84-7888-825-X. Barcelona: Salamandra, 2003. 158 pp. $10.95 (paper). In a lively, first-person point of view, Freddy, a golden hamster with large cheek pouches and a short tail, narrates his experiences with evil profesor Dittrich. Although Freddy promises his master John that he would never reveal his extraordinary abilities--he learned how to read and write by sitting alongside his previous master--he posts his autobiography on the Web with almost terrible consequences. With the help of his friends, however, he manages to elude the danger. The simple, fluid Spanish text maintains the humor and fast pace of the highly successful original German edition. Ages 9-11. Isabel Schon is Director, Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, California State University San Marcos. United States dealers of books in Spanish for children and young adults Brodart Company 500 Arch Street Williamsport, PA 17705 www.brodart.com support@brodart.com Continental Book Company 625 East 70th Ave. #5 Denver, CO 80229 www.continentalbook.com Lectorum Publications 524 Broadway New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10012 800-345-5946 212-929-2833 Fax: 877-532-8676 lectorum@scholastic.com www.lectorum.com Isabel Schon is Director, Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, California State University San Marcos. |
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