The Perfect Piñata: La Piñata Perfecta

Children's Literature

Very excited about her upcoming sixth birthday, Marisa has the opportunity to shop for a piñata to use during her party. Although the store has many bright and festive choices, Marisa knows exactly what she wants when she sees it¾a rainbow colored butterfly. During the week before her birthday, Marisa and the butterfly are close companions, enjoying tea parties and riding bikes together. When the day of the party finally arrives, Marisa can't bear to think of her butterfly being broken apart for the sake of the candy inside. Luckily, her parents were prepared for such an occurrence and have on-hand an alternate piñata made from a sack. Young girls who dream of fabulous birthday parties and develop special attachments to their toys will easily identify with this book. Because English and Spanish text are offered on opposing pages, the book will also be beneficial to children learning to read either or both languages. Colorful pictures of a happy family also enhance the appeal of this book. 2002, Albert Whitman,
— Ramirose Ilene Attebury

Kirkus Reviews

A week before her sixth birthday, Marisa's mother takes her to pick out a piñata. Trouble is, Marisa grows so accustomed to the beautiful butterfly-admiring it on her dresser, including it at her tea party, and taking it to the playground, among other things-that she can't bring herself to break it apart on the day of the party. In her debut work for children, Dominguez casts English and Spanish text side-by-side to create a pleasing bilingual tale. Marked by corresponding blue and orange stars, careful readers can compare the words in the two languages. Describing the party, for example, Dominguez writes: "Soon the smell of food filled the air. There were tamales, rice, beans, and crispy buñuelos." On the next page: "Pronto el aire se lleno con el olor de la comida. Habia tamales, arroz, frijoles y buñuelos crujientes." Similarly, English and Spanish words are repeated within the text ("Hello, friend! ¡Hola, amiga!" and "Happy birthday! ¡Feliz cumpleaños!"). Paterson's (All Kinds of Children, not reviewed, etc.) expressive watercolors, similar in style to Bruce Degan's Magic School Bus illustrations, picture the parent's solution: a candy- and toy-filled garbage bag decorated with a smiley face and the words "Hit me, please!" replaces Marisa's prized piñata. While the storyline isn't especially inspired, the translation serves as an engaging counterpoint, making this a solid addition to multicultural and ESL collections. (Picture book. 5-8)