Book Fiesta!

Book Fiesta!

Written by: Pat Mora

Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez

Rayo, 2009

40 pages

Picture Book: Multicultural

            I chose this book because a large portion of our students are Hispanic. This book is written in English and Spanish. This book celebrates all cultures, not just the Hispanic culture. The entire book is a celebration of reading. Reading at the library, reading on an elephant, and reading in the yard are just a couple of places that you can read. This book encourages children to read anywhere they go. 

            The illustrator of this book is Rafael Lopez. He used acrylics to create these illustrations. These illustrations were very intricate and detailed. I was intrigued by the illustrations Lopez created because each page had so much to look at. On one page, the illustrations were done vertically instead of horizontally. I really enjoyed the creativity of that page. Each illustration is painted with bright colors, very much like a real fiesta.

This book is appropriate for ages 4-8. I would use this book in a first grade classroom. I would use this book for a history lesson on Spanish culture. I would read this book to my students and discuss some of the Spanish words in the book, as well as the Spanish culture. I would also use this book for a creative writing lesson. I would read this book to my first graders and then prompt them to write by saying, “Tell me about some of your favorite places to read.” I might also use this book for a math lesson. I would read this book to my students and then discuss the Spanish numbers 1-10. I would teach my students how to count to 10 in Spanish. This book won the Pura Belpre’ Award. This award is given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.