From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. This packed-to-the-gills volume features nursery rhymes, riddles, sayings, and songs drawn from the rich traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures. Arranged in thoughtfully introduced sections such as "Canciones de comba / Jump-Rope Songs" and "Adivinanzas / Riddles," the 68 selections appear first in Spanish, followed by a loose recasting of the original in italicized English. Tracey Heffernan is credited with "creative editing of the English," a role that extends beyond strict translation to produce English entries that preserve features such as rhyme, onomatopoeia, and repetition. The results occasionally stray significantly from the originals' sense, so readers hoping to enrich a developing second language won't be particularly well served; others will wish for musical notation and annotations about each entry's cultural origins. (Jose-Luis Orozco's bilingual poetry collections include more of both.) Still, native Spanish speakers wanting to share favorite rhymes with children will relish this book's breadth--and young speakers of either language will appreciate the bouncing rhythms and nonsense fun. Two indexes, one in Spanish and one in English, conclude, and lighthearted watercolors by Suarez appear throughout. Jennifer Mattson
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Book Description
Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy, acclaimed authors and scholars of Latino literature, have spent years culling popular and beloved lullabies, jump-rope songs, riddles, proverbs, and more from all over the Spanish-speaking world. The result is the most comprehensive bilingual folklore collection available in this country. Full of charm and humor, rich with the diversity of Latino cultures, this one-of-a-kind treasury is the perfect introduction to Latino folklore for English speakers, and a trove of familiar favorites for Spanish speakers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Full of charm and humor, rich with the diversity of Latino cultures, this one-of-a-kind treasury is the perfect introduction to Latino folklore for English speakers, and a trove of familiar favorites for Spanish speakers.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Michelle Negron Bueno

This comprehensive collection for young children includes lullabies, sayings, riddles, proverbs, finger games, tall tales, songs for special occasions and more from all over the Spanish-speaking world. A truly bilingual book, each entry's Spanish text is paralleled in English. Some of the songs included are "A la nana nanita" translated "Sweet Dreams," and "Esta noche es Nochebuena" translated "Tonight is Christmas Night." The translations are faithful to the originals, conveying the charm and tenderness of the Spanish. The familiar saying "Cura, sana/madre rana/dame un besito/y vete a la cama" is translated "Kiss, kiss/Mother Toad/Send the pain/Down the road." The only drawback to the collection is the lack of musical notation for the songs making it difficult for the English speaker to know how they are sung. The illustrations are delightful and feature children of color in many different cultural settings. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 1 to 4.

Kirkus Reviews