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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
I barely remember the Spanish I learned years ago, but I loved using context clues to figure out what the Spanish words thrown into this mostly English children's book mean. The rhymes helped!
Illustrations were cute, intricate, diverse, and I loved the illustrator's explanation of using Peruvian textiles at the end of the book.
And there is a twist at the end that makes this version of Princess and the Pea (I never really liked the original tale) different. And better!
Illustrations were cute, intricate, diverse, and I loved the illustrator's explanation of using Peruvian textiles at the end of the book.
And there is a twist at the end that makes this version of Princess and the Pea (I never really liked the original tale) different. And better!
With a Latino twist on the story “The Princess and the Pea,” Elya and Martinez-Neal’s Pura Belpre award-winning picture book, creates an enjoyable cross-cultural exploration of classic fairy tales. Through the use of acrylics, colored pencils, and graphite on handmade textured paper – which the illustrator identifies on the end page – Martinez-Neal creates illustrations “inspired by the weaving and embroidery of indigenous people of Peru.” This unique folk artistry style incorporates Latino culture into the familiar setting of a fairy tale, easing children into an unfamiliar world through the lens of the familiar. Elya also incorporates Latino culture in her text, intermixing English and Spanish vocabulary into her retelling of the story. Rhyming couplets create a poetic lilt to the text and include both English and Spanish rhymes – “Several were pin-striped, some made of fleece; others were dotted or checkered or gris.” The illustrative style that mimics indigenous weaving and embroidery interacts with the Spanish text to create a retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” that centers its focus on revealing Latino culture to young readers. As well as this cultural twist, Elya also rewrites the end of the story to include a humorous reference to the prince’s agency in making sure the princess passed his mother’s test; he stuffed pitchforks and stones in “la cama” without his mother’s or the princess’s knowledge. Due to its familiar fairy tale context, this picture book presents an engaging way for young readers to interact with an unfamiliar culture – stunning illustrations and language that reflect indigenous culture provide children with an opportunity to explore and question both the familiar and unknown.
I really enjoyed this retelling of the princess and the pea. I appreciate that spanish words are intermingled within the text and the illustrations are just gorgeous. I love that illustrator was inspired by the weaving and embroidery of indigenous people of Peru. Two different, distinct communitities and their styles are represented in the clothing worn by la Reina, le Principe, and la Princesa. The surprise ending is clever and cute--go Principe!
My school age child picked this one to read with me. It has a nice mix of English and Spanish, which served as a good refresher for us both.
Really enjoyed reading! Love how Spanish words are incorporated, great way to learn some Spanish. Lovely, interesting illustrations that honor the beautiful fabric of Peru, delightful!
I found this telling of the princess and the pea to be adorable. The mixture of Spanish and English was approachable and flowed well, and the ending is just adorable. I'd recommend people not familiar with Spanish pronunciation reading through it before a story time to make sure the rhyming makes sense.
Loved this book!! Love that you could use it as an introduction to Spanish words for a kiddo; love the artwork; LOVE LOVE LOVE the twist at the end. Such a wonderful rendition of a story that's been covered a dozen times before.
We read this on a book walk and loved the illustrations. I always enjoy classic fairy tale retellings more when they have an added element like the focus on Peruvian culture here.