Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119292 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-14
• Released on: 2008-10-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781596433298
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 1–3—Señor Calavera, a dapper skeleton wearing a fedora and striped tie, receives an invitation to Grandma Beetle's birthday party. Zelmiro the Ghost reminds him that he needs to take a present and suggests that "the best present to give a friend is the thing she would love the most." The silent Señor Calavera collects gifts alphabetically, including an accordion (una acordeón) to make music for her, a jaguar to protect her (un jaguar), and 15 more years to add to her life (quince años). As these thoughtful gifts fill his bicycle basket to overflowing, the shimmering ghost encourages him to keep looking. When the skeleton loses control of his bike on the very hill where Zelmiro was buried, all the beautiful gifts are ruined. Grandma Beetle is blowing out her candles when the Señor finally arrives with the perfect tribute—Grandpa Zelmiro, who is a ghost no longer. Luminous, jewel-tone spreads chronicle the collection of gifts and pay homage to a rich Mexican culture. A comic book (una historieta) cleverly recalls Señor Calavera's first meeting with Grandma Beetle in Just a Minute (Chronicle, 2003). The floating, semitransparent form of Zelmiro the Ghost becomes the solidly human form of Grandpa Zelmiro, who lovingly embraces his wife. Part ghost story and part alphabet book, this trickster tale transcends both. Librarians will want to share it for the beautiful language, the spirited artwork, and the rightness of the ending.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
The title page includes an invitation to Grandma Beetle’s birthday party, and Señor Calavera can’t wait to go. A moan from beyond the grave reminds the not-too-scary dapper skeleton that he’s forgetting a present. Zelmiro the ghost admonishes Calavera to choose something that Grandma Beetle will love the most. What follows is an alphabetic array, from “Un acordeon, An accordion for her to dance to,” to “yerba buena. Good herb to soothe her day.” With each gift Calavera chooses, Zelmiro praises the skeleton’s choices but cautions him to keep searching “just in case . . .” Drenched in rich hues, the light-filled illustrations add a whimsical dimension to this trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. When disaster strikes and all the presents fly from Calavera’s bike basket, there is nonetheless a happy ending that brings both story and alphabet to a rollicking conclusion. This companion to Morales’ award-winning Just a Minute (2003) will be a hit for storytime. Grades K-3. --Patricia Austin

Review

“A perfect read aloud picture book for a birthday party celebration, grandmother’s day, el dia de los muertos or any time of the year. Highly recommended.” —Reforma

Customer Reviews

Great book!
This book is a wonderful book with endearing characters who teach the Spanish alphabet in a fun and interesting way! The vivid illustrations will engage any young reader. The book is a great way to incorporate the Spanish alphabet and vocabulary into the elementary classroom!

Just in Case
Morales, Y. (2008). Just in Case: A trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

1596433299

While on his way to Grandma Beetle's birthday party, a ghost informs Senor Calavera that he has forgotten her gift. What follows is a list of possible gifts listed alphabetically--by the Spanish alphabet, with each object being named in Spanish, but with illustrations and English descriptions.

The illustrations are beautiful. With wonderful use of color, they share Hispanic images and symbols. (Plus, there's a blue butterfly for students to find on each page) All of the illustrations show great attention to detail and humor. (My favorite is at the beginning when Senor Calavera irons his tie while wearing it--totally something I would do...if I wore ties.)

For kids from a Hispanic background, this book can be very empowering to see in a classroom, especially since this is also the book that won an ALA Belpre award this year.


Activities to do with the book:

Beyond helping young readers with the alphabet (in which case this book would need to be a read aloud by an adult as it is text-heavy), it can also be used with older students learning Spanish to provide some fun and new vocabulary words (among them cosquillas (tickles), granizado (snow cone), titere (puppet) etc.).

This book could also be shared with children around birthdays and other gift giving occasions to help children think of ideas to give people of all ages.

The story could also be tied into a talk on El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead--November 1st and 2nd). But if used for this purpose, don't present Just in Case as a book about the holiday. Rather, share it as an example of what talking about such a holiday could inspire students to write creatively.

Favorite Quotes:
"At last the day had arrived. It was Grandma Beetle's birthday!"

"Oh , my. He had forgotten a present for Grandma Beetle!"

"You surely must know, the best present to give a friend is the thing she would love the most.

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.