Say Hello!

PreS-Gr 1Carmelita and her mother set out to visit Abuela Rosa. As they pass each family or store, they call out the appropriate greeting. Whether it be friends just returning from Africa (""Jambo"!") or the woman in the bakery (""Bonjour"!"), Carmelita's dog is ready with a friendly "Woof!" When Carmelita reaches her grandmother (""Hola"!"), the two share a smile as the pup seems to understand yet another greeting. Carmelita's busy, diverse neighborhood is a place that children will enjoy, and Isadora's oil-and-collage illustrations are richly detailed. From Carmelita's "huevos con tocino" (eggs and bacon) to the Japanese restaurant's lanterns, textured paint and printed patterns invite readers to linger on each page. Text and illustrations work together to provide clues for readers who may be learning these greetings for the first time. Pronunciation is not included, so adults will want to prepare before reading the book aloud. This accessible story could be used to discuss not only languages, but clothing and manners as well."Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO" Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Carmelita, a girl in pigtails with a butterscotch complexion, walks with her mother and her dog through a multicultural neighborhood en route to meet her Abuela Rosa. Each individual they encounter says hello in his or her respective language, and Carmelita echoes back each greeting. Shalom!' says Mrs. Rosen and her children, while a man flipping pizzas at an Italian restaurant calls Ciao! Even less formal greetings gets their due as Carmelita's friends shout Hey! and Wuzzup? Isadora's trademark textural collages, using oil paint and printed papers that recall batik, vividly convey the joys of diversity. Ages 35. "(Apr.)" Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

* "Readers will fall for the sociable Carmelita as they proudly learn a range of salutations, and the artist's rich environment, packed with hidden details and charming animals, will delight readers with each return visit. Simply enchanting."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review