author: Lee
Merrill Byrd
illustrator:
Francisco Delgado
Cinco Puntos Press, 2010
preschool-up
Mestizo, Mexican American
It’s so sweet to
count kisses! Narrated by Juanito’s grandma, the simple little story is about
who receives Juanito’s delicious kisses. Beginning with one little kiss for his
big sister, two big kisses for his daddy, three wet ones for his momma, and, as
he counts to nine, Abuelita’s worrying that he might have run out of kisses.
But—of course not—he has ten delicious ones for her!
Who would think
of a counting book that is so loving, so family-oriented, so delightful?
Clearly, Juanito Counts to Ten is not
just about counting. And, while “traditional” counting books usually count just the objects, this one actually describes each kiss. With appropriate
idiomatic Spanish, Juanito Counts to Ten
is language expansion at its best.
Delgado’s
artwork, in rich, saturated oils, complements the loving, enthusiastic text and
carries the emotions. Big sister is grossed out, Beatriz’s dog is jealous—and
the cat’s not especially loving it, either. Here, he portrays Juanito’s family,
friends and everyone else he kisses (but not girls outside of the family, whom
he wants to but doesn’t) as real Mestizo people and community. And one of the
messages—an important one—is that it’s totally OK for Latino boys to kiss their
close friends and relatives. Highly recommended.
—María Cárdenas
(published 1/16/14)
(published 1/16/14)
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