Title: Waiting for the BiblioburroAuthor: Monica Brown (Writer) & John Parra (Illustrator)Publisher: Random House Children’s Books, Trycycle PressPublication year: 2011Category: Picture Book (Fiction)Source: Monroe 1 BOCES Overdrive E-Book CollectionSummary: Ana re-reads the one book she owns till the unexpected arrival of moving library. A librarian and two burros bring books into her village. While she impatiently waits for their return, she writes her own book about then Biblioburros.Review: This story was inspired by the real life story of Luis Soriano Borhórquez ‘s Biblioburro Foundation and its work promoting literacy by brining books to remote and isolate villages in Columbia.I really loved the classic story conventions Brown uses through out the book to establish this story as “cuento”, a fiction. While we read Ana’s story these conventions reminds us that this story could be told of hundreds of other children who wait for the Biblioburro. I also enjoyed spotting references to traditional Spanish teaching songs, such as “Un Elefante se Balanceaba” . Parra’s art was rich and whimsical. I enjoyed particularly that the contrasts between Ana’s story-world and her home village was clear without removing its color and lushness.I plan to use this book in a couple of different ways. I will use is it with my Lower-Elementary students, as part of our introduction to the library unit. I will also add it to my writing picture books unit, to highlight the value of research in both fiction and non-fiction picture books. Why this book: This book adds depth to the library by providing a picture book with Spanish language and set in a Spanish speaking community. It also features a non-American protagonist.Genre: Historical FictionTheme/KW: Colombia, reading, books, imaginationQuality: The illustrations are stylized and attractive, and the book gives the readers insight into another way of life.Features: Glossary of Spanish words and an article about the real biblioburro.Character: Female, HispanicCultural Consideration: Told from the perspective of a small Columbian girl who loves to read. Children who speak Spanish will hear their home language.Language: Uses some Spanish words with only one instance of translation. English language is very kid friendly.Question: Why does Ana want her book to be on the biblioburro?
What do You think about La Bibli Des Deux ânes (2011)?
Loved the story, loved the illustrations, loved that it was based on a real "biblioburro."
—bethanypham
Beautiful illustrations. Grade 2 students did the best job listening to this.
—WorldsFinestt_
A story about the joy of reading and picking out books.
—loiselle
