Largos, Cortos y Pequeños

Children's Literature - Mandy Cruz

Initially the translated title seems redundant, cortos y pequenos, short and small, but the book examines more than the opposites tall and short. The book compares ears, noses, tails, necks, and legs—some of which are not adequately described with a word as confining as short. This book delightfully compares and contrasts defining body parts of children's favorite animals and utilizes them to teach the concept of opposites. The giraffe's neck, elephant's trunk, rabbit's ears, and the penguin's short legs, along with bugs and snakes, are always a favorite topic of exploration. The color photos are superbly chosen, such that the reader instantly connects the book to an encounter with one or more of the animals and creates an emotional bond with the book. The book also serves well in the garden while weeding. This book is a prerequisite to any trip to the zoo and multiple times after, just for review. Reviewer: Mandy Cruz

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2–These bilingual titles are highly effective due to the combination of full-color photographs and simple sentences that help listeners and beginning readers understand the texts and concepts introduced through animal opposites. The photographs contribute to the books’ appeal. Fascinating Did You Know?/Sabías que? sections provide fun facts about key animal traits to entice readers into further learning. Librarians, teachers, or caregivers can attract reluctant, early, or emergent readers with these offerings.–Eric Gómez, Broward County African-American Research Library, Fort Lauderdale, FL