Marco's Cinco De Mayo (Cloverleaf Books - Holidays and Special Days)
Marco, a Mexican American boy, explains his family’s Cinco de Mayo traditions in this entry into the Holidays and Special Days series. As Marco worries about performing his dance steps during his city’s celebration, his older cousin, Diego, tells him the story of how Mexico’s small army defeated mighty French soldiers on May 5, 1862, which is now remembered as Cinco de Mayo. Inspired by his ancestors’ bravery, Marco finds his feet ready to dance to the mariachi music. The fiesta continues with a taco-eating battle and fireworks. Sidebars with additional information expand on the holiday. Illustrated with vibrant digital artwork, the text avoids stereotypes by differentiating Marco’s everyday attire and habits from those of Cinco de Mayo. Standard back matter includes directions for making maracas. Once children understand the history of this holiday, follow with Judy Cox’s Cinco de Mouse-O! (2010) and Debbi Chocolate’s El Barrio (2009). Grades K-2. --Angela Leeper--This text refers to theLibrary Bindingedition.