Pedagogy: Elementary Schools

Outstanding Children's Books in Spanish

California State University-San Marcos

Despite the ever-increasing number of children's books now being published in Spanish, teachers, librarians and other interested adults must still be reminded of the great number of dull, moralistic books that do not entice youngsters into the world of reading (Isabel Schon, Books in Spanish for Children and Young Adults. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1989). The following, however, are outstanding-fiction and nonfiction books recently published in Spain, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Great Britain, and the United States that will appeal to Spanish-speaking readers everywhere as well as readers on the FLES* level:

Ur... y Alejandra. (Ur... and Alejandra). Illus. Cuca Burchard. 46p. ISBN; 956-11-0219-5. Gr. 6-8.

A ver, a ver. ¿vamos a leer? (Let's See, Let's See, Shall We Read?). Illus: Susana Campillo. 64p. ISBN: 956-11-0717-0. Gr. 3-6.

Ea. vol.: (El Jardín de los Sueños) Santiago: Editorial Universitaria, 1989. pap. $5.80.

Long descriptions and dull moralistic messages about love and life make Ur... y Alejandra a sure bore. On the other hand, ¿A ver, a ver, vamos a leer? is a wonderful collection of six well-known tales: El nabo (The Turnip) (Russia), El pastor y el lobo (The Shepherd and the Wolf) [Greece], Los tres cabritos Gruff (Three Billy Goats Gruff) [Norway], La tenquita, («La tenquita», a little bird from Chile) [Chile], La tortilla corredora (The Runaway Paneake) [traditional tale], and La gallinita amiga (The Friendly Hen) [Hungary]. Despite the unappealing presentation, uninteresting title, textbook-like cover, black-and-white line illustrations and cheap paper of this paperback publication, all children will delight in these long-time favorites. The tales are definitely well-told and easy to read or to listen to.

The First Hundred Words in Spanish. Illus: Stephen Cartwright. Translated by Jane Straker. London: Usbome Publishing, Ltd, 1988. 34p. ISBN; 0-7460-0366-8. $6.35. Gr. Pk-2.

Children are introduced to their first one hundred words in Spanish through appropriate watercolor illustrations and their English translations. It includes such scenes as in the living room, getting dressed, in the kitchen, doing the dishes, play time, in the bathroom and others.

Un diente se mueve. (A Loose Tooth). Illus: Gian Calvi. Caracas: Ediciones Ekaré - Banco del Libro, 1990. [24p.] ISBN: 980-257-066-4. pap. $4.25. Gr. 1-3.

This is the third edition of the amusing story about Clarisse, a little girl, who is worried about losing her first tooth. She has heard that a mouse comes to take her tooth. So, the night she loses her tooth, she puts it under her pillow and when she wakes up the next morning she finds a coin instead of her tooth. Clarisse then realizes she is not dreaming at all. Colorful illustrations supplement the simple text.

Rosaura en bicicleta. (Rosaura on a Bicycle). Illus: Morella Fuenmayor. Caracas: Ediciones Ekaré - Banco del Libro, 1990. [24p.] ISBN: 980-257-055-9. pap. $4.25. Gr. 2-4.

Rosaura, a hen, wants a bicycle for her birthday.

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So, Amelia goes all over town looking for a bicycle for her special hen. Finally, she asks an unusual man to make one. And Rosaura celebrates her birthday with a beautiful cake and a new bicycle. Lively, pencil pastel illustrations make this original story a joy to read or to listen to.

La bella durmiente. (Sleeping Beauty).
Blancanieves. (Snow White).
Caperucita roja. (Little Red Riding Hood).
El gato con botas. (Puss in Boots).
El patito feo. (The Ugly Duckling).
Pulgarcito. (Tom Thumb).

Ea. vol.: [20p.] Illus: Marina Sevane. Adapted by: José Morán. Madrid: Susaeta Ediciones, 1988. ISBN: 84-305-1702-2 (for the series). $4.25. Gr. K-3.

These longtime favorites are simply retold for young children. The bright colorful illustrations make them most appropriate for telling to a group of eager listeners. Highlights of the text is printed both in cursive and in bold so that youngsters can practice their reading skills.

My House/Mi Casa. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1990. [26p.] ISBN: 0-316-23637-3. $14.95. Gr. PK-2.

Basic words in English and Spanish introduce young readers to things found in a house. Simple bilingual phrases of things well known to children and bold watercolor illustrations make this book an excellent introduction to both languages. Regrettably, the following word in Spanish is misspelled: «fotographía» [sic] (unnumbered).

Los animales insólitos. (Unusual Animals). ISBN: 84-321-2593-8.

_____. Los pájaros. (Birds). ISBN: 84-321-2591-1.

_____. Las plantas. (Plants). ISBN: 84-321-2592-X.

_____. El tiempo. (Weather). ISBN: 84-321-2598-9.

Ea. vol.: 24p. Illus: Luis Camps, Translated by: Juan Blanch. (La Naturaleza en 101 Preguntas). Madrid: Ediciones Rialp,1990. $7.50. Gr. 3-5.

Children are introduced to unusual animals, birds, plants and the weather through simple questions and explanations as well as easy-to-make projects and unaffected watercolor illustrations. Los animales insólitos includes answers to the following questions: What is metamorphosis? Which animal is the fastest? Which lives the longest? Los pájaros includes: How do birds fly? Where do birds go in the winter? Who sings in the forest? Las plantas includes: How do seeds travel? Where does wine come from? How does a tree grow? El tiempo includes: Where does wind come from? Why is it day or night? These are a few of the many questions about nature that children will be able to answer through this well-done series, originally published in Belgium in 1990.

Cuentos de los hermanos Grimm. Stories by the Grimm Brothers. Illus. A. Archipowa, ISBN: 84-241-5767-2.

Mück, Heike, adapter. La ilustre fregona y otros cuentos clásicos. (The Illustrious Dishwasher and Other Classical Stories). Illus: Guennadij Spirin. ISBN: 84-241-5785-0.

Ea. vol.: 102p. Translated by María Victoria Martínez Vega. Madrid: Editorial Everest, 1988, 1989. $11.50. Gr. 5-8.

Some of the world's best-loved stories are included in these gorgeous publications with beautiful full color illustrations. Cuentos de los hermanos Grimm includes the following: «La pastora de los gansos» («The Shepherdess and the Geese»), «El ganso de oro» («The Golden Goose»), «Los doce cazadores» («The Twelve Hunters»), «Los seis criados» («The Six Servants»), «Los músicos de Bremen» («The Bremen Town Musicians»), «La casa del bosque» («The House of the Forest»), «Juan con suerte» («Faithful John»). La ilustre fregona y otros cuentos clásicos are well-done adaptations of some of the world's best authors. It includes E.T.A. Hoffman's «El cascanueces y el rey de los ratones» («The Nutcracker»), Alexander Puschkin's «La zarina y los siete guerreros» («The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Knights»), Miguel de Cervantes' «La ilustre fregona» («The Illustrious Chambermaid»), Guy de Maupassant's «La aventura de Walter Schnaffs» («Walter Schnaffs' Adventure») and George MacDonald's «Lucecita» («Little Daylight»).

Mi diccionario en color, (My Dictionary in Color). Illus: Marianne Gaunt, Mexico: Ediciones Larousse, 1988. [203p.] ISBN: 986-6147-47-0. $22.95. Gr. 3-6.

Approximately one thousand words are included in this attractive, large-format Spanish dictionary. Some definitions include watercolor illustrations; others use sentences demonstrating the meaning of each word. This is an appealing way to introduce children to Spanish dictionaries.

La bruja aburrida viaja a Gran Bretaña. (The Bored Witch Travels to Great Britain). ISBN: 84-320-9562-1.

_____. La bruja aburrida viaja a París. (The Bored Witch Travels to Paris). ISBN: 84-3209560-5.

_____. La bruja aburrida viaja a Venecia. (The Bored Witch Travels to Venice). ISBN: 84320-9569-9.

Ea. vol.: [32p.] Illus: Roser Capdevila. (Las memorias de la bruja aburrida). Barcelona: Editorial Planeta, 1989, 1990. pap. $4.95. Gr. 2-4.

Like previous titles in this series, the delightfully witty, pastel illustrations of a bored witch in search of adventure will appeal to all children. The bored witch meets her old friend Jonathan, a ghost, in Great Britain; relates her experiences at the Louvre Museum and at a fashion contest in Paris; and catches the flu in the canals in Venice.

El nuevo Pinocho. (The New Pinocchio). Illus: Nikolaus Heidelbach. Translated from the German: Manuel Ramírez Giménez. Valencia: Mestral Libros, 1988. 216p. ISBN: 84-7575-329-9. $17.55. Gr. 5-7.

This excellent modern adaptation of Pinnochio is a refreshing retelling of the classic story with contemporary watercolor illustrations and a lively text. Young readers will certainly prefer reading or listening to this updated version which has maintained all the excitement of the original.

Fernando furioso. (Furious Fernando). Illus: Satoshi Kitamura. Caracas: Ediciones Ekaré-Banco del Libro, 1989. [30p.] ISBN: 980-257-061-3. pap. $5.95. Gr. K-2.

One evening, Fernando, a little boy, wants to stay up late watching TV. But mother sends him to bed even though Fernando insists that he will become furious. He gets so furious that his anger explodes into thunder, lightening, and later into a hurricane, a typhoon, and an earthquake. As he sits on the planet Mars, he thinks and thinks but he can't remember why he got so furious. Spectacular watercolor illustrations of furious Fernando as he thinks about his anger make this story ideal for all children as they sympathize with Fernando's feelings.

Paparruchas. (Trifles). Illus: Jesús Gabon. ISBN: 84-87430-23-6.

El piojo y la pulga se quieren casar. (The Louse and the Flea Wish to Get Married). Illus: Alberto Urdiales. ISBN: 84-87430-22-8.

Por Navidad. (At Christmastime). Illus: Margarita Menéndez. ISBN: 84-874-30-24-4. Ea. vol.: [28p.] (Cinco Lobitos). Madrid: Ciclo Editorial, 1989. $9.75. Gr. 2-5.

Traditional tales, rhymes and riddles from the Spanish-speaking world are included in these attractive publications with charming watercolor illustrations. Especially appealing is El piojo y la pulga se quieren casar, which contains all the ingredients for an outstanding book for children: ingenious story and enchanting pastel illustrations. Previous titles in this series: Yo tenía diez perritos (I had Ten Little Dogs), and A la señora gallina se le cae el cielo encima (Mrs. Hen Feels that the Sky is Falling Down).

El carnaval. (Carnival). ISBN: 84-342-1095-9.

_____. El cumpleaños. (Birthday). ISBN: 84342-1093-2.

_____. La navidad. (Christmas). ISBN: 84342-1094-0.

_____. La pascua. (Easter). ISBN: 84-342

1092-4.

Ea. vol.: 31 p. (Hoy es Fiesta). Illus: María Ríus. Barcelona: Parramón Ediciones, 1989. pap. $5.25. Gr. K-3.

Children are introduced to holidays that originated from popular traditions in this delightful series with joyful illustrations in color and a simple text. It is important to note that none of these titles mentions the religious significance of these holidays. Rather, they explain the personal, social and/or familial meaning of carnivals, birthdays, Christmas and Easter. Even though this series describes these holidays as celebrated in Spain, they can still be understood and enjoyed by children everywhere.

Cuando como. (When I Eat). ISBN: 84-342-111-4.

_____. Cuando estoy enfermo. (When I am Sick). ISBN: 84-342-114-9.

_____. Cuando me lavo. (When I take a Bath). ISBN: 84-342-1112-2.

_____. Cuando me visto. (When I Get Dressed). ISBN: 84-342-1113-0.

Ea. vol.: 31 p. illus: Irene Bordoy. (Cuando) Barcelona: Parramón Ediciones, 1990. pap. $5.25. Gr. 1-3.

The purpose of this series is to expose children to common situations and activities and how these influence the daily life of children and their families. The realistic watercolor illustrations

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of middle-class Spanish families involved in numerous activities are both informative and entertaining. The easy-to-understand text, written in cursive, is just right to learn about dinnertime, taking a bath, getting dressed and being sick. Some adults may be bothered by some of the illustrations that depict nude children. But, there are most appropriate, in excellent taste and there is no better way to discuss taking a bath or being sick than in normal conditions.

1-2-3 Un cuento para contar. (1-2-3 A Story to Count). Illus: by the author. Caracas: Ediciones Ekaré-Banco del Libro, 1990. [24p.] ISBN: 980-257-062-1. $8.50. Gr. PK-2.

Young children will delight in this simple animal counting book with charming pastel illustrations of animals celebrating a birthday party in most amusing situations. Young readers will need to be told that this counting book uses the names of three animals as they are known in Venezuela: chigüires for beavers, corocoros for ibis, bachacos for ants.

Encuéntrame, fiestas populares de América Latina. (Find Me: Popular Holidays from Latin America). Illus: Ricardo Azevedo and others. Caracas: Ediciones Ikaré - Banco del Libro, 1989 [24p.] ISBN: 980-257059-1. pap. $4. 25. Gr. 3-6.

Popular holidays of ten Latin American countries -Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela- are included in this attractive paperback publication. In addition to the illustration and brief description of each holiday, each illustration includes a child that is hidden within the illustration and that young readers are encouraged to search for. Further information about each holiday is included at the end of the book. The vivacious watercolor illustrations wonderfully depict the joy and festivities of Latin American holidays.

La nube traicionera. (The Treacherous Cloud). Illus: Daniel Rabanal. Buenos Aires: Editorial Sudamericana, 1989. [86p.] ISBN: 950-07-0561-3. pap. $10.00. Gr. 68.

This is a free version of George Sand's «Le Nuage Rose», who dedicated this story to her granddaughter. In it, she tells how nothing in life is obtained by magic or through the intervention of fairies, but through study, work and perseverance. Simple, black-and-white line illustrations add a touching tone to this moving fantasy about a bright girl, who learns how to spin clouds from a wise and understanding aunt.

Mi primer libro de cocina. (My First Cooking Book). Barcelona: Editorial Molino, 1989. [48p.] ISBN: 84-272-1700-5. $15.50. Gr. 4-8.

Through excellent photographs in color and simple, easy-to-follow directions, this attractive large-format publication provides step-by-step instructions for the preparation of cookies, ice creams, fancy baked potatoes, pizzas, breads, cakes, tarts and other goodies that all children will relish. This is one of the best cook books for children in the Spanish language. And the appealing recipes with appropriate photographs of «Mickey Mouse Pizza», «Oso» (Bear), «Perro» (Dog), and other fantasy recipes will appeal to the most uninterested chef-to-be.

Hispania [Publicaciones periódicas]. Volume 75, Number 2, May 1992