Eight Animals on the Town
Kindergarten-Grade 4-A rhyming romp that introduces readers to numbers and vocabulary in Spanish. Eight animals each go to the market and purchase critter-appropriate supper supplies. "First comes a mouse. He's a rat-n./N#mero uno, out on his own./Off to the market he hurries for cheese./'Since I'm a rat-n, I'd like queso, please.'" Together the animals enjoy their evening repast, go dancing, and then drive home. A glossary and pronunciation guide is provided for readers unfamiliar with the language. While the text has wit and whimsy, the illustrations are absolutely delectable. Bright oils on canvas capture qualities of Mexican folk art as tidy borders augment the text. Illustrative details are sure to tickle observant youngsters (the bird's high-tops, numbers and words tucked into the art, additional vocabulary here and there). It is not easy to blast a concept book out of the didactic, but this collaborative team has created a book that is more fun than function, with the learning deftly layered throughout. A rewarding choice for reading aloud or for poring over the pictures.Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.