Los Gatos Black on Halloween

by Marisa Montes, Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)

Overview

Follow los monstruos and los esqueletos to the Halloween party in this bilingual poem written by Marisa Montes, with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Yuyi Morales

Under October's luna, full and bright, the monsters are throwing a ball in the Haunted Hall. Las brujas come on their broomsticks. Los muertos rise from their coffins to join in the fun. Los esqueletos rattle their bones as they dance through the door. And the scariest creatures of all aren't even there yet!

This lively bilingual Halloween poem introduces young readers to a spooky array of Spanish words that will open their ojos to the chilling delights of the season.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year, the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Medal for Illustration and a Pura Belpre Honor Book for Narrative.

Award-winning author and illustrator Yuyi Morales is the author of Caldecott Honor and Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Medal-winning Viva Frida, Pura Belpré (Illustration) Medal and Pura Belpré (Narrative) Honor book Los Gatos Black on Halloween, stunning bilingual bedtime story Little Night/Nochecita, Rudas: Niño's Horrendous Hermanitas, and other picture books for young readers. She also illustrated Thunder Boy Jr., written by Sherman Alexie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250079459
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	08/09/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	122,342
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marisa Montes has written several books for young readers, including Juan Bobo Goes to Work, which won a Pura Belpré Honor. She lives in northern California.

Yuyi Morales is an author and artist. She has won numerous awards, including a Caldecott Honor, the Jane Addams Award, four Pura Belpre Medals, and three Pura Belpre Honors. She divides her time between the San Francisco area and Veracruz, Mexico, where she was born.

Editorial Reviews

“Just right for children who are beginning to find typical Halloween fare a bit too tame.” —School Library Journal

“This spookiness is what Halloween is all about.” —Booklist

“A spooky seasonal treat and a great choice for any collection.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Children love Halloween and not just for the candy. Kids like to be scared ever so slightly as long as they ultimately feel safe. Disney knew this and used scary characters like the bad fairy, Maleficent, in Sleeping Beauty who gets her comeuppance when Sleeping Beauty is kissed awake. Los Gatos Black on Halloween is a wonderful romp of all things scary on Halloween like black cats, jack-o-lanterns, witches soaring on their broomsticks, skeletons rattling, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and haunted houses. The story is told predominantly in English but Spanish words are scattered throughout for children to easily learn. The story rhymes which makes the "scary factor" lessen and Morales' illustrations keep the children grounded. Yes, all of these scary things abound on Halloween but the scariest thing of all for the monsters on Halloween? Young children trick-or-treating, of course! The surprise ending will tickle young readers as they see that they themselves are indeed very scary in their costumes. Alonsa's narration borders on spooky, but deliciously so, so listen to be sure your child won't be frightened. Sitting on mom or dad's lap while this story unfolds will be all the safety children need. Extras include a glossary of Spanish words as well as an interview with the author. This book won two Pura Belpre Awards one for the author and one for the illustrator. Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D.

Children's Literature - Joan Kindig