Just in Case - by Yuyi Morales (Paperback)

About the Book

Se-or Calvera, the skeleton from Day of the Dead celebrations, returns in this Pura BelprZDwinning companion to Morales' "Just a Minute"--a beautiful alphabet book, featuring text in English and Spanish. Full color.olor.

Book Synopsis

From three-time Pura Belpré Winner Yuyi Morales, a delightful alphabet picture book about a Día de los Muertos skeleton who must find the perfect birthday gift (or gifts!)

A 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the 2009 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration
A Pura Belpré Honor Book for Narrative

Yuyi Morales takes us on a new journey with Señor Calvera, the skeleton from Day of the Dead celebrations. Señor Calvera is worried. He can't figure out what to give Grandma Beetle for her birthday. Misunderstanding the advice of Zelmiro the Ghost, Señor Calvera decides not to get her one gift, but instead one gift for every letter of the alphabet, just in case.

Una Acordéon: An accordion for her to dance to.
Bigotes: A mustache because she has none.
Cosquillas: Tickles to make her laugh . . .

. . . only to find out at the end of the alphabet that the best gift of all is seeing her friends. Morales's art glows in this heart-warming original tale with folklore themes, a companion book to her Pura Belpré-winning Just a Minute.

In English with Spanish vocabulary words

Review Quotes

Just In Case:

NCTE Notable Child. Bks in Lang. A,
American Library Association Notable Children's Books,
Pura Belpré Illustrator Award,
NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts,
Northern California Book Award Master List,
ALA Notable Children's Books,
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year,
Pura Belpré Author Honor,
CCBC Choice (Cooperative Children's Book Center - Univ. of WI),
Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, Winner,
Américas Award - Winner

"Richly hued and filled with action, the illustrations capture the tale's humor and Latin flavor perfectly, leading on to an entirely logical, hilarious and heartwarming surprise at the end. As gifted an artist as she is a storyteller, Morales is in top form here." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A perfect read aloud picture book for a birthday party celebration, grandmother's day, el dia de los muertos or any time of the year. Highly recommended." --Reforma

"[A] breezily told tale, rich in Spanish vocabulary and Mexican atmosphere. The alphabetically ordered collected presents are cleverly integrated into the double pages, each with a different color background. Each spread includes amusing details to study in the fantasy-like but clearly painted illustrations." -Children's Literature

"Part ghost story and part alphabet book, this trickster tale transcends both. Librarians will want to share it for the beautiful language, the spirited artwork, and the rightness of the ending." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Yuyi Morales is an author/illustrator whose books have won the Pura Belpré Award, the Christopher Award, and the Jane Addams Award. She lives in northern California. Her books include Just In Case, Viva Frida, and Little Night/Nochecita.