El Conde Olinos

Publishers Weekly

Gr 2-4-A traditional tune is presented as both a story and a song. This is the story of forbidden love that leads to tragedy but eventually finds a happy ending. The Count Olinos and the princess are in love, but the queen refuses to allow her daughter to marry anyone who does not have royal blood. To prevent the couple's marriage, the queen sends her men out to find and kill the count. Soon after his death, the young princess dies of heartbreak. The ill-fated couple reunites after death in their new incarnations first as plants (she a white rosebush, he a hawthorn), then, after the queen destroys the adjoined plants, as birds that fly away together. The book is divided into two sections the story with illustrations, followed by the music and lyrics of the song (14 verses in total). The combination of story and song, along with the beautiful illustrations, is an excellent way to pass on traditional songs to Spanish-speaking children. While the book might not be something young readers will be able to read on their own, the dual presentation of the story lends itself well to interaction and participation between reader and listener. Recommended to public libraries that provide story times and other activities for children and to elementary school media centers, as well as to bookstores located in areas with larger Spanish-speaking populations. Celia C. Perez, University of Chicago, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.