Say Hello!
PreSchool-Grade 1—Carmelita and her mother set out to visit Abuela Rosa. As they pass each family or store, they call out the appropriate greeting. Whether it be friends just returning from Africa ("Jambo!") or the woman in the bakery ("Bonjour!"), Carmelita's dog is ready with a friendly "Woof!" When Carmelita reaches her grandmother ("Hola!"), the two share a smile as the pup seems to understand yet another greeting. Carmelita's busy, diverse neighborhood is a place that children will enjoy, and Isadora's oil-and-collage illustrations are richly detailed. From Carmelita'shuevos con tocino(eggs and bacon) to the Japanese restaurant's lanterns, textured paint and printed patterns invite readers to linger on each page. Text and illustrations work together to provide clues for readers who may be learning these greetings for the first time. Pronunciation is not included, so adults will want to prepare before reading the book aloud. This accessible story could be used to discuss not only languages, but clothing and manners as well.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, COCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.