Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo! - by Pat Mora & Libby Martinez (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Chico Canta, the youngest of 12, is a tiny, mischievous, fearless mouse who lives with his family in an old theater. They love to go upstairs to see the plays and echo the audience shouting, Bravo, bravo! as the curtain falls. Mrs. Canta speaks many languages not only English, Spanish, and Italian, but Spider, Cricket, and Moth as well. And she encourages her children to develop their own language skills. Bilingual, bravo! she is always telling them. One evening, after a wonderful performance of The Three Little Pigs, the mouse family narrowly escapes Little Gato-Gato. But, undaunted and inspired by the production, they decide to mount their own version of the play. On opening night, however, it is tiny Chico who is the star of the show when he spots Little Gato-Gato in the shadows and uses his own special gift for languages to avert disaster."

Review Quotes

Based on a Mexican American folktale, this entertaining cat-and-mouse story features Little Chico . . . who saves the day by using his 'bilingual' talent.-- "Booklist"

Carling's mixed-media paintings create a cozy Latin American environment for Chico's family.-- "Publishers Weekly"

Food for thought for monolingual mouselings--not to mention their parents and teachers.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Mora and Martinez tell the story with charm and ease; Carling's illustrations are bright and appealing, with just enough detail to captivate young audiences. The story makes bilingualism equally appealing, offering the message of language education with subtlety and humor.-- "Bookbird"

This is a story that reflects the experiences of children across the world growing up speaking a number of different languages, and the authors create a little character with whom readers can relate.-- "CM Magazine"

This story is a celebration of diversity that invites audience participation and has great potential as a readers' theater piece for the younger set. Recommended.-- "Library Media Connections"

About the Author

Pat Mora is an award-winning author, the founder of Día (El día de los niños, El día de los libros / Children's Day, Book Day), and an honorary member of the American Library Association. Her most recent book, Abuelos, illustrated by Amelia Lau Carling, won the International Latino Book Award for Best English Picture Book, a Library Media Connection Editor's Choice Award, and it was named a Críticas Magazine Best Children's Book. She's also the author of The Race of Toad and Deer (La carrera del sapo y el venado) and The Night the Moon Fell (La noche que se cayó la luna). She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Libby Martinez writes children's books and poetry. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Stanford Law School. She lives in Colorado Springs, CO. Amelia Lau Carling is an accomplished author, illustrator, and graphic designer. She lives in Westchester County, NY.