¡TODOS A CELEBRAR!

A bilingual picture book teaches children about Spanish words and Hispanic culture.

In this work, Pérez (An Angel From Above, 2018, etc.) takes young readers on a journey through the alphabet illustrated with photographs of children, often in traditional Mexican dress. They demonstrate the concepts presented on each page, from “abrazo” (an embrace) to “Zócalo,” the central plaza in Mexico City. Flamenco, lotería, piñata, and usted (a formal “you” without a direct analogue in English) are among the words depicted. Each caption appears in both English and Spanish, and the translations are fluent and skillfully written in both languages. The captions conclude with related questions for readers (“Have you played in a soccer game?” “What other words begin with ‘W’ in Spanish?”) that are intended to generate further discussion. Because most are designed for yes/no answers, a parent’s or teacher’s guidance will be needed to make them useful. The introduction makes it clear that the book’s focus is on the Mexican heritage of Latinx culture in particular (although the South American drink yerba mate makes an appearance on the Y page). The traditions represented in the text are primarily Christian—for instance, “la bendición” (blessing) and “la iglesia” (church)—but on the whole, the cultural generalizations are accurate and appropriate (“Hispanic culture is very rich in the use of sayings or dichos for every occasion”). The photos (from various sources) deftly illustrate the concepts, and the children dressed up for “jarabe tapatío,” a traditional Mexican dance, and for a “tamalada,” a tamale-making gathering, are particularly charming. The bilingual aspect makes the work a helpful language teaching tool, and the information is presented at an appropriate level for young children. Pérez has done an excellent job of providing a variety of concepts and a visually appealing design. Although it is not a comprehensive portrayal of Latinx culture, the work is a knowledgeable and authoritative guide to one significant aspect of it.

A well-written and informative introduction to Mexican-influenced Latinx culture in an alphabet format with engaging photos.