Product Description

Don Ricardo, or Tio Rico as he is called by the children, is the pinata maker of Ejutla de Crespo, a village in southern Mexico. Told in English and Spanish by award-winning author/photographer George Ancona, El Pinatero/The Pinata Maker documents this traditional Latin American art, and offers readers a fascinating glimpse of Mexican village life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167944 in Books
• Published on: 1994-03-30
• Original language: Spanish
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780152000608
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-Ancona has once again created a photo essay that brings his subject into lively and vibrant focus. A day in the life of Don Ricardo Nu?ez Gijon, or Tio Rico, a pi?ata maker, is a busy round of artistry blended with practicality. The step-by-step creation of a swan, a star, and a carrot is described. The balance between text and illustration is masterful, and both the English and Spanish narratives have an easy flow. Tio Rico is a matter-of-fact yet charming character; along with illuminating his craft, Ancona shows the man's place in his village. By the end of the book, children will understand more about Mexican culture and values. A loving introduction to Hispanic customs, lifestyles in Mexico, and the art of pi?ata production.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 7-9. Writer-photographer Ancona takes children to a Mexican village to meet Tío Rico, an old man who makes beautiful piñatas, puppets, and masks for parties and festivals. Exceptionally clear and well composed, the full-color photographs bring the village, the people, and the craft of piñata-making sharply into focus. On each page, the text appears in English, then in Spanish. Clearly written in both languages, the dual English/Spanish text provides a good bridge for children learning either as a second language, and also makes the book accessible to those who know one or the other. Not just a how-to manual, the book has a narrative strand, following Tío Rico as he buys the materials for his crafts, makes them, sells them, and finally, attends a party where the children break open a piñata. A delightful introduction to the subject and a memorable glimpse of one Mexican village and its people. Carolyn Phelan

From Kirkus Reviews
In lucid color photos and a simple bilingual text, the work of 77-year-old Don Ricardo (``Tio Rico''), a Mexican craftsman who ``started creating pi¤atas fifteen years ago when...making felt sombreros became too hard for him.'' Beginning with a small boy delivering some of Tio Rico's materials (old newpapers and paper bags), Ancona leads into a detailed depiction of making of an unusual swan pi¤ata. Forming a shape of cardboard and banana leaves, incorporating a clay pot, and applying decorative covering are all explained so clearly--in both the text and the admirable photos--that readers will be able to follow up by making their own pi¤atas (Ancona also offers some alternative construction methods). Creating a couple of other shapes and a party where one of them meets its intended end round out an attractive presentation. (Nonfiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

A Charming and Interesting Bilingual Book
The Piñata Maker describes how a Mexican gentleman, Don Ricardo, became a piñata maker. It elaborates on how he makes his beautiful piñatas, while including a description of his way of life. The book is fantastic for individuals who are studying either English or Spanish. I'm using it both to become more familiar with Spanish and to teach English to a Spanish speaking person. It is written on an appropriate level for adults to use in this manner, but it is also an excellent book for children.

Heart warming and educational book
Both my 5 & 3 year-old children LOVE this book. It is a nice combo of something fun (the pinatas, the design, & just the thought of candy...) and reality (photos of Don making pinatas). It is simple enough for them to understand, and captivating enough for even my younger child. We haven't delved much into the spanish text, but will eventually. For now, we're working on making the star for my daughter's sixth birthday party!

A BILINGUAL DELIGHT !!
Tio Rico lives in a village in Oaxaca (wah-ha-kah), Mexico. He is a 77 year-old who became a pinata maker when rheumatism made it too difficult to continue his business of making sombreros.

A village boy collects newspapers and concrete sacks for Tio Rico. These he uses to fashion unusual and decorative pinatas. The process is explained by a delightful profusion of photographs which accompany the story. The author, George Ancona, also shows "puppets" which are child-size papier-mache forms worn by young folk dancers. He shows his own version of pinata formed over cardboard or balloons for those of us who cannot buy clay pots at a local market.

Children everywhere will enjoy this colorful book and be eager to try the craft. With luck, they will have patient teachers and learn some Spanish and/or English words, too! My favorite companion book is "Colors of Mexico" (isbn: #1575052164), illustrated by Janice Porter.

"THE PINATA MAKER" is a 5-star book for adults as well as children, and most appropriate for the 2003 church women's study of Mexico. Find a group of children to share this book with, and increase your enjoyment three-fold.