Book Review JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Morales, Yuyi. 2003. JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK. Ill. Yuyi Morales. San Francisco: Chronicle Books LLC. ISBN 0811837580

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this story, Señor Calavera pays a visit to Grandma Beetle’s home to take her to the next life. Grandma Beetle aware of Señor Calavera’s intentions, delays him by saying “Just a minute, Señor Calavera…I will go with you right away…” only after she finished some household chores. After staying to celebrate Grandma’s birthday with her nine grandchildren, Señor Calavera decides to extend Grandma’s lease on life because he can’t wait to celebrate her next birthday.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Yuyi Morales trickster tale incorporates many of the elements that should be included in a folktale. To begin, the characters could not represent good and evil any better. Señor Calavera, the representation of death, is trying to take innocent old Grandma Beetle to the get life.

There are many references to the Mexican culture in Morales tale. Señor Calavera’s (which means skull in English) character is the Mexican symbol for “Dia De Los Muertos” or the Day of the Dead. Throughout the book, festive colors, piñatas, and clay pottery fill the pages.

The language is simple, repetitive, and bilingual. Morales includes the numbers one (uno) through ten (diez) in both English and Spanish to teach readers their numbers.

4. AWARDS WORD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Pura Belpre Award
ALA Notable Books for Children
America’s Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
BOOKLIST: “The splendid paintings and spirited storytelling--along with useful math and multicultural elements--augur a long, full life for this original folktale.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This deceptively simple read-aloud treat has as many layers as an onion, and is every bit as savory.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*This is a great book to read during Halloween. Teachers can read this and books about “Dia de los Muertos” and discuss the differences between the two holidays.

*Other books on Mexican culture:
Winter, Jeanette. CALAVERA ABECEDARIO: A DAY OF THE DEAD ALPHABET BOOK. ISBN 0152059067
Krull, Kathleen. HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ. Ill. by Yuyi Morales. ISBN 0152014373

Image Credit: latinbabybookclub.com