Book Review: JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK by Yuyi Morales

 

Image Source:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed September 22, 2013.

         http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|11543169|8008984&mc=USA

 

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811837583

                A clever tale of Grandma Beetle, who extends her life just a little longer, is found in this story by Pura Belpre Award winner (2004) Yuyi Morales. The plot is advanced, but children will find humor in the skeleton visitor as he seeks to take Grandma, but she replies with repetitive use of the phrase “…just a minute!”  The story allows children to count from one to ten using beautiful, colorful illustrations heavily based in the Mexican culture. Piñatas in bright colors suggest joy and celebration, which is the opposite message one typically associates with the approach of death.

        There is additional bilingualism in the names, while Grandma Beetle is an English language name; the skeleton is named Señor Calavera.  The illustrations of Señor Calavera are heavy in cultural aspect, typical of the images seen in celebration of the Mexican observance of El Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead. An excellent resource for use in bilingual story time, children can count along and recognize that Grandma Beetle is like many grandmothers who celebrate birthdays with grandchildren.   

  

         Many children in the United States are bilingual in English and Spanish and may have grandmothers that actually look and speak just like Grandma Beetle.  An entertaining literacy activity can include counting from one to ten in both languages as each child draws a picture of Señor Calavera.  As commented by Catherine Threadgill for the School Library Journal (Books in Print, 2003), the story has “…has as many layers as an onion, and is every bit as savory.”  This flavorful, trickster tale also is the winner of the American Library Association Notable Books for Children (2004).

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed September 22, 2013.

http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|11543169|8008984&mc=USA

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book.  San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811837583