Author: Yuyi Morales
Publisher: Chronicle Books, Library Binding Edition
Grade: Pre-k and up
Topic: Math
TEKS: §111.2. Kindergarten
- (4) The primary focal areas in Kindergarten are understanding counting and cardinality
- (A) Students develop number and operations through several fundamental concepts. Students know number names and the counting sequence.
Yuyi Morales was born in Mexico and her works are heavily influenced by family and traditions that she experienced as a little girl. Since moving to the U.S. in 1994, she continues to carry on her family’s legacy by creating celebrated Latino children’s books. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book is a great book for children who are developing number awareness but also extends a mature message to older readers. In the beginning of the book, Grandma Beetle has an unexpected guest, Senor Calavera, a jaunty skeleton sporting a fedora, arrive at her door. He requests that she leave with him right away, but Grandma Beetle has an agenda of her own.
Here’s a snippet:
“‘Just a minute, Senor Calavera,’ Grandma Beetle said. ‘I will go with you right away, I just have ONE house to sweep.’ Senor Calavera remembered he had extra time today. So he decided to wait. UNO one swept house, counted Senor Calavera, and he rose from his seat.
‘Just a minute, Senor Calavera,’ Grandma Beetle said. ‘I will go with you right away, I have just TWO pots of tea to boil.’ Senor Calavera sighed. Waiting a little longer wouldn’t hurt anybody, after all. DOS two steaming pots of tea, counted Senor Calavera, and he headed for the door.”
As the story goes on, Senor Calavera becomes more and more impatient as Grandma Beetle has three stacks of tortillas to make, four fruits to slice, and five cheeses to melt. By the time Grandma Beetle reaches ten, all of her grandchildren have showed up for the wonderful party that she was preparing. Senor Calavera has such a fantastic time that he forgets the reason that he came and ensures Grandma Beetle that he’ll be there for her next birthday party. Grandma Beetle manages to outwit Death himself just by counting!
For as wonderful as the story is, the illustrations are really what makes it over the top astounding. Bright and vivacious color rendered in acrylic and mixed media leaves the reader feeling as if they could actually smell the tortillas Grandma Beetle was cooking.
I love this book!
It’s very colorful and unique for students of a young age to learn about counting. By incorporating a new culture into the mix students can tackle two issues at once: death and counting.
I’m really glad you chose to do this book because math books are so rare to come by, especially those that use such beautiful illustrations such as this one.
The snippet you provided made me want to go buy the book for my own classroom and share it with my students. Even if it is a very easy read for older grades it’s a good book to share culture and a fun book to share all around.
Thanks!
I loved this book! I loved how it incorporated counting in english AND spanish and also captured a culture that is not normally explored in schools. I wrote the title of the book down so I could go search for it at half price books, since a huge goal of mine is to incorporate different cultures and languages into my personal children’s library. The snippet you provided made me want to finish reading the book, it was great.
Thanks for a great snippet