Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book by Yuyi Morales

Title: Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book
Author/Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Genre: Fiction
Major Awards: Pura Belpré Award for Illustrator; Nominated for Pura Belpré Award for Author
Age: 6-9

This book is about Señor Calavera wanting to find the perfect gift for Grandma Beetle's birthday. Grandma Beetle was Señor Calavera's friend and he was on his way to her birthday party but he was running late. He was stopped by Zelmiro the Ghost, who reminded him that he hadn't gotten her a present yet. Some of the first gifts he found were un Acordeón (an accordion), Bigotes (a mustache), Cosquillas (tickles), and un Chillo (a whistle). and it follows that pattern, but Zelmiro would ask "Are they what Grandma Beetle would love the most? Why don't you look again, my friend? Just in case..." and anytime Zelmiro said that it would continue the Spanish alphabet. It gave a sentence after the Spanish word so if someone didn't know what it was, that sentence would help. A few other items he had were un Jaguar (a jaguar), una Llave (a key), Quince años (fifteen more years of life), and many more, but it taught kids the Spanish alphabet. After each search Señor Calavera was worried he would be late to the party. When he was on his way to the party Zelmiro the Ghost, happened to make him trip and all his presents were ruined so now Señor Calavera didn't have anything to give Grandma Beetle. In the end as she was about to blow out her candles Señor Calavera appeared, and with the perfect gift. It was Grandpa Zelmiro, which is the present she would love the most.

I really enjoyed this book because it not only had a great story, but taught the reader the Spanish alphabet at the same time. I would use this book in my class and perhaps on a unit during Spanish Heritage month, to help expose my students to the Spanish vocabulary and help them learn a few words in Spanish. I think they would enjoy finding out what Señor Calavera brought to the party when all his others one were destroyed. I think this book would best fit students in 1st - 3rd grade.

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