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Overview
A skillful mix of English and Spanish adds a special flair to this lively, rhythmic picture book. It's non-stop fun when eight animal friends-ocho animales-head out to the market to find their supper. There's queso for the mouse, leche for the cat, and much more. And when all of the animals are fed, it's off to the baile to dance the night away! Brought to life with Lee Chapman's bold illustrations, this is a great way to introduce young readers to a new language, as well as a great tool to help Spanish-speakers learn English.
"An engaging choice for early readers." (Booklist)
Synopsis
A skillful mix of English and Spanish adds a special flair to this lively, rhythmic picture book. It's non-stop fun when eight animal friends-ocho animales-head out to the market to find their supper. There's queso for the mouse, leche for the cat, and much more. And when all of the animals are fed, it's off to the baile to dance the night away! Brought to life with Lee Chapman's bold illustrations, this is a great way to introduce young readers to a new language, as well as a great tool to help Spanish-speakers learn English.
"An engaging choice for early readers." (Booklist)
Children's Literature
As we meet each animal in a few lines of verse, we are introduced to the Spanish words for the numbers and some key items. The mouse, cat, dog, bird, frog, horse, cow, and pig each stop at the market to buy something to eat before going on to dance the night away. There is a glossary and pronunciation guide for the 40-odd Spanish words used in the text. Since nouns almost never appear in Spanish without articles, this may not be the best way for readers to learn them, but it is painless fun. Chapman's framed single and double-page paintings depict the animals and appropriate settings in a stylized fashion, using warm, intense colors to suggest a "south of the border" climate. The dog's scene, for example, is framed with bones and set at a butcher shop. The direct visual appeal suggests folk art along with some fun. 2000, G. P. Putnam's Sons. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz