Synopsis
Uncle Toms looks after Carlos, whose hard-working parents get home late. He captivates his nephew with stories of the Aztec gods, but troubles him with his bad temper. Their relationship is sometimes stormy, until the day that they discover that they both struggle with English, and make a pact. Carlos will help his uncle with Englishthe source of his grouchinessand Uncle Toms will teach him more stories, but in Spanish. Theyll know twice as much as everyone else!
Color-drenched illustrations by a Mexican illustrator lead us into the world of Carlos and Uncle Toms.
After living in Mexico for fifteen years, Tony Johnston was moved to write this story when she returned to the United States and saw the plight of immigrants. She has written many books for children; her most recent books are The Barn Owls, and An Old Shell: Poems of the Galpagos (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). She lives in San Marino, California.
Author Biography: Fabricio Vanden Broeck has illustrated many books for children, for publishers in the United States and in Mexico. Among his works are The Witchs Face by Eric Kimmel (Holiday House), and Torch Fishing with the Sun by Laura E. Williams (Boyds Mills Press). He lives in Mexico City.
Publishers Weekly
The title refers to Carlos's nickname for his grumpy uncle, who admits he is too afraid to learn "el Blah-Blah," or English. But the man's outlook turns sunny when he and Carlos make a deal: Carlos will teach him English and his uncle will teach him the old stories of Mexico-in Spanish. Ages 5-9. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.