Our Celebración!

by Susan Middleton Elya, Ana Aranda (Illustrator)

Overview

A delightful rhyming romp through the festivities of a small town's summer parade and celebration, written in English with Spanish words sprinkled throughout.

It's a sunny summer day. Come join the crowd headed for the parade! Marvel at the people riding motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, and unicycles. Duck out of the way as firefighters spray water on hot spectators. Clap to the music as bands of musicians playing clarinetes, saxophones, flautas, trumpets, and drums march by. Feast on lemonade, watermelon, tacos, and ice cream. Wave to the corn princess as her float passes by. Then take cover when a quick rain shower comes, followed by a bright rainbow. Back in the town plaza as night falls, marvel at the sparkling fireworks that end the day's festivities. Pop, pop, pop! ¡Bón, bón, bón!

With engaging text and imaginative, whimsical illustrations, Our Celebración! is the perfect way to enjoy a summer day—and learn some Spanish too!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643797335
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	11/19/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susan Middleton Elya is the author of more than twenty-nine popular picture books for children, including Lee & Low's "Say Hola to Spanish" series and Home at Last. She has degrees in Spanish and elementary education, and she taught Spanish for many years. Elya is known for blending English and Spanish to create clever, lively, rhyming stories. A native of Iowa, she now lives in Danville, California. You can visit her online at susanelya.com.

Ana Aranda's artwork has been featured in galleries and museums in the United States, France, Norway, Japan, Italy, and her native Mexico. Her biggest inspirations come from her childhood memories, the vibrant colors of Mexico, and music. Aranda's illustrations often transform the everyday into fantastical situations and whimsical creatures. Aranda now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her website is anaranda.com.

Editorial Reviews

* "Fun and vibrant festivities fill the pages of this bilingual, rhyming picture book... Lilting, bilingual stanzas match each vibrantly illustrated spread, and the expertly rhyming lines help reinforce pronunciation of the Spanish words. People of all backgrounds are portrayed enjoying the festivities together, filling the scenes with happiness and friendship that are sure to make young readers wish to be a part of this colorful world." — Booklist, starred review

* "The book is a triumph for Elya and Aranda, whose rollicking rhymes and engaging pictures, respectively, portray different cultures sharing fun activities... A splendor for the senses even as it promotes togetherness and teaches a second language. A great addition to any library!" — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Notable Poetry and Verse Novels - National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

From the Publisher

09/01/2018
PreS-Gr 1—A celebration that includes a parade and fireworks is taking place in town. The joyous occasion is described in rhyming couplets in Elya's trademark use of English punctuated with Spanish words: "Yes, today's a party día./Take a bite of pink sandía,/tacos, hot dogs, hamburguesas—/lots of laughter, fun sorpresas." One couplet misfires though, while "rincón" rhymes with "balcón," it is the wrong word for corner. The correct term in this case is "esquina." A light rain falls on the parade but does not dampen spirits and the festivities continue until the night sky sparkles with a fireworks display. Curious readers might wonder where, when, but more especially, why this celebration is happening. Aranda's watercolor, gouache, and ink-on-watercolor paper illustrations are lively and whimsical. The people in the town represent many ethnicities, ages, and family types, realistically portraying any town in the U.S. Observant readers may notice that the people introduced on the first spread continue to show up throughout. Lots of Mexican details—papel picado, dancers in the traditional Jalisco dress, musicians that appear to be dressed as mariachis, a marimba player, and a piñata—potentially indicate a Mexican holiday. But this is not necessarily so; and if so, which one? VERDICT A lack of specificity and forced rhymes mar this celebración. Consider for collections where Elya's other books are popular.—Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ

School Library Journal

★ 2018-07-24

Rhyming couplets in English and Spanish offer a language lesson to readers who join multicultural friends at a vibrant neighborhood celebration with music, fireworks, and a fabulous parade.

The day begins with sunshine as the text invites readers to follow a happy, interracial group that includes children and adults of varying skin tones to a celebration of Latinx culture on the town plaza. Watch the festivalgoers hold hands as they wander amid balloons and banderas. Enjoy the crowd as they eat hot dogs and hamburguesas while enjoying a parade that includes a big red fire engine, a line of fast blue motocicletas, gymnasts, flamenco dancers, musicians, antique cars, and floats. See young children celebrate with parents, caregivers, and grandparents in vibrant double-page spreads that feature approximately 50 diverse characters who reappear. Young readers will enjoy studying the illustrations to find the familiar faces with whom they started the day. Even as the party is briefly interrupted by a storm, the joy isn't dampened—only improved by a rainbow with its colors labeled in Spanish. The book is a triumph for Elya and Aranda, whose rollicking rhymes and engaging pictures, respectively, portray different cultures sharing fun activities. Cognates are used in the Spanish text, making the language lesson easy for English-only readers. There is a glossary at the back of the book to clarify if needed.

A splendor for the senses even as it promotes togetherness and teaches a second language. A great addition to any library! (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews