Just in Case is written by Yuyi Morales. This book is a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. The plot of the book is about a skeleton from the Day of the Dead named Señor Calvera. He is worried about what to give his Grandma Beetle for her upcoming birthday. He decides to not just give her one present, but to give her one for every letter in the alphabet. Señor Calvera and the help of Zelmiro, the Ghost, make a list together of things for every letter in the alphabet to get for Grandma Beetle. But the most important and most special present that grandma would love most, is her husband, Grandpa. This book would be great for students in pre-kindergarten to 2nd grade. The theme of the party and the alphabet letters is relatable to young children and they would find it to be interesting and entertaining. Yuyi Morales also illustrated this book with vibrant and bold pictures. As a teacher, I would consider using this book in my classroom. The book would help ELL students by being able to read Spanish words and it being written by a Latino author/illustrator. I think that after reading this book, it would help ELL students to connect with other students about a similar event that they all have in common; birthday parties. I would divide the students into groups and have them come up with things they have at their own birthday parties or they would have at a birthday party. Another activity I would do is give each student a letter from the alphabet and have them come up with something to take to a birthday party or take to some other event using their letter. Then I would put all of the letters together to make our own classroom book. Summary: It was Grandma Beetle’s birthday and Senor Calavera set out to go to her party. Along his journey he was stopped by Zelmiro the ghost. Zelmiro reminded Senor Calavera that he was forgetting something—a gift, the gift grandma Beetle would love most. The pair shared a list of ideas that happened to be items that started with the letters of the alphabet A-Z. But, what would grandma love most? Her husband—grandpa!Personal Response/Critical Response: Children will relate to this book. They love parties and birthday parties and can relate to it. They can also relate to the friendship of this book and going to different friend’s parties and having to pick out a present for them.Description of Illustrations: The illustrations are bold and vibrant. The illustrations are cartoony but look real in a way. I like the pictures a lot in this book!Classroom Connections: After reading this book aloud to my students, I will have them get in groups and talk about their favorite birthday parties- what was fun about them. We will make a word web describing the different characteristics of a fun party.
What do You think about Just In Case (2008)?
Beautiful illustrations suggesting Día de los Muertos accompany a somewhat forced plot.
—LauraHungerford
The KitKat loved it. In fact, she wanted to recommend it to her Spanish teacher.
—chelo
This book is a fun way to teach young students simple Spanish words.
—Bama
An adorable little folktale, especially for Dia de los Muertos.
—gwen_mmcoy
2009 Pura Belpré Medal Winner (for illustration)
—4schoolonly
