This is the best book I have found to teach young children about Sign Language. I have used it with my own children and with my Girl Scout troop. The signs are easy to copy for young children and they enjoy learning Sign Language. Many of the books on Sign Language are too hard for young children this is simple. If you want a book that helps introduce signing this it.

I have had this book for years and loaned it to our youth minister. He found it to be a favoriate with the youth and would like to have several copies. They have used it in preparing performances such as "The Lord's Prayer", etc. One of the best and very simple to learn hand language.

I borrowed this book from our public library and have used it with my 4-year-old daughter. She is very bright and this book has greatly contributed to her learning experience. I hope that the book will be published again soon, because I would like very much to add it to her library. It is much easier for a child to learn this type of thing than it is for an adult, because they can focus their attention more completely on what they are doing. I think that the book is wonderful.

Tio Rico lives in a village in Oaxaca (wah-ha-kah), Mexico. He is a 77 year-old who became a pinata maker when rheumatism made it too difficult to continue his business of making sombreros.

A village boy collects newspapers and concrete sacks for Tio Rico. These he uses to fashion unusual and decorative pinatas. The process is explained by a delightful profusion of photographs which accompany the story. The author, George Ancona, also shows "puppets" which are child-size papier-mache forms worn by young folk dancers. He shows his own version of pinata formed over cardboard or balloons for those of us who cannot buy clay pots at a local market.

Children everywhere will enjoy this colorful book and be eager to try the craft. With luck, they will have patient teachers and learn some Spanish and/or English words, too! My favorite companion book is "Colors of Mexico" (isbn: #1575052164), illustrated by Janice Porter.

"THE PINATA MAKER" is a 5-star book for adults as well as children, and most appropriate for the 2003 church women's study of Mexico. Find a group of children to share this book with, and increase your enjoyment three-fold.

The Piñata Maker describes how a Mexican gentleman, Don Ricardo, became a piñata maker. It elaborates on how he makes his beautiful piñatas, while including a description of his way of life. The book is fantastic for individuals who are studying either English or Spanish. I'm using it both to become more familiar with Spanish and to teach English to a Spanish speaking person. It is written on an appropriate level for adults to use in this manner, but it is also an excellent book for children.

Both my 5 & 3 year-old children LOVE this book. It is a nice combo of something fun (the pinatas, the design, & just the thought of candy...) and reality (photos of Don making pinatas). It is simple enough for them to understand, and captivating enough for even my younger child. We haven't delved much into the spanish text, but will eventually. For now, we're working on making the star for my daughter's sixth birthday party!

Before I retired to Mexico from teaching in Texas I used this book as a guide to classroom activities for a self-contained classroom of boys with severe behavioral problems. The response was far beyond my expectations.

In both Spanish and English Sr. Ancona tells the interesting story of Don Ricardo, an elderly pinata maker in a small Mexican village. He also includes complete instructions which allow the reader to construct his or her own pinata.

Using the construction process as a reward I was able to involve my elementary level students in a number of academic activities they had earlier resisted, as well as expanding the learning process into a number of new areas. In addition, behavior related problems decreased dramatically because participation in the reading, discussion, and pinata design and construction were based upon the completion of other academic work as well as classroom behavior and all wanted to engage in the interesting activities and discussions suggested by the book.

The ways in which this book can be used by creative teachers are many. I strongly suggest that teachers consider using this book as inspiration for a number of enjoyable and effective learning activities.

The charming little book follows Don Ricardo as he designs, makes and delivers his pinatas in a small Mexican town. Don is 77 years old and started making Pinatas 15 years ago. You are not only taken through every step of making a creative yet traditionally made pinata, but you also get the feel for the ruralness of the town and it's people through the photographs. I recommend this as great book to read to your kids, or to use to get help with making Pinatas. The bi-lingual text, helps it work for both spanish and english speaking children.

Most children love bananas, but few actually know about the time and effort that goes into their growing, harvesting and shipping. For those of us in the States, it's very easy to simply walk into a grocery store and grab a bunch or two. Most of the time, we don't think about where they came from or how they got here. However, the story of bananas is a complicated and fascinating one.

The book begins with the plant itself and explains that bananas are not grown on actual TREES, though the plants can grow to 8 feet or more. We are then introduced to Manolo, a child whose family works on a banana plantation in Honduras (very far away from where one of those bananas will be eaten in the United States by Margie). The growth of the fruit is explained and illustrated in color and sharp B&W photographs. They are allowed to grow, then cut down and sent for processing. There they are cut off the bunch, cleaned and packaged for shipping. Off to a warehouse, then a distributor, then ship norths to the states, then on to trucks to different markets and THEN (and only then!) is they available for the general public to eat.

Whew!!

"Bananas" is both well written and educational. Many of us, especially children don't stop to think about how a Central American fruit makes its way to the grocery stores in Vermont or Washington. In the classroom I've seen the book used in all different areas of social studies all the way up into 8th grade, so it isn't just geared for young children.

The story is easy to read, well written and does not talk down to the reader. The photographs are many and they help show not only the process of growing & harvesting bananas, but also a bit about the lives of the people who grow, pack, cut, and ship them. It's an excellent book and even very young children may enjoy reading about their favorite fruit.

I love this book. This is real literature that Mexican/Mexican American children can relate to; Not only children with Mexican backgrounds, but immigrant children overall. My favorite part is page 10 where Jose stares at the mural painted by the Salvadoran painter (Salvadoran struggles are rarely depicted in literature). This book moved me so much that I am motivated to visit Mission District, San Francisco to experience that beautiful atmosphere first hand.

Thank you, A Southern Californian (Latina)Elementary School Teacher

Lovely photos and words reveal a traditional sport, way of life and skills comparable to the American rodeo. Boys, girls, young women and men join in for a day of celebration centered around style, courage, horses and skill with a rope. Over 2 & 1/2 dozen Spanish words are introduced through the text. I would reocmmend this book to students in the 4th and 5th grades.

I especially loved this book because two of the cowboys featured are my cousin, Randy Biebelle and his son, Brandon.

My 4 year-old grandson can't get enough of this book. Up to date about Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and pottery making.

This delightful book gives a wonderful glimpse into the Mexican culture of fireworks, as seen by a little girl whose family are deeply involved in that culture. As a fireworks professional, I appreciated this warm and sympathetic view of fireworks. When people ask why I am involved in fireworks, I get out this book and show them the picture on the cover. Fireworks is the only way I know to put that expression of joy and awe onto the faces of children. A truly wonderful book, which captures that wonder.

This is an excellent book of sign for children. They learn about sign while they learn about zoo life. The signs are perfectly photographed (unlike other books where they are illustrated and hard to read). It is also fun that your child learns while watching other children sign. Kids love to learn from other kids. One other great thing about this book is that each animal not only has the sign but the name of the animal is signed also ( so your child learns the proper spelling). I have purchased a lot of sign books and this one is my favorite one.