The Nation's Choice: Theme Paperbacks on Level Theme 5 Grade 2 Tonight Is Carnaval - Softcover

Arthur Dorros has enjoyed words, pictures, and books for as long as he can remember. A photograph taken when he was one and a half years old shows him eating a few. Some of his later experiences led to his creating books. When he was four years old he sat on the tail of a ten-foot long alligator. Fortunately the alligator had been well fed. Out of that adventure grew one of his first published books, ALLIGATOR SHOES.

Since 1980, he has written and/or illustrated numerous popular titles about a broad variety of subjects from nonfiction, concept science books, to high-flying stories such as the award-winning ABUELA. Before he started making books he did many things: he worked as a carpenter, teacher, farm worker, longshoreman, and photographer at various times. He loves to travel, learning about and meeting people, and discovering similarities and differences around the world. As a writer and illustrator he brings what he finds into his books. Mr. Dorros and his son currently live in Seattle, Washington.

In addition to the much-appreciated reactions of his readers, his works have been selected as Reading Rainbow Books, ALA Notable Book, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, NCSS Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies, Parent's Choice Award, Storytime Public TV Selection, and Booklist Editors' Choice, among other commendations.

He thinks of a good writer or illustrator as a detective with all senses alert, always on the lookout for the clues that help put the whole story together. He feels that everyone has stories to tell, and enjoys working with both adults and children to find the stories each of us has for the telling.

Grade 2-4-- The text, illustrated with photographs of arpilleras (three-dimensional fabric wall hangings), covers three days in the life of a Peruvian boy as he and his family prepare for a carnaval celebration in the nearby village. The boy describes the everyday work that must be finished as he anticipates the festivities and practices the music he will play with his band. The information about the daily life of the people of the Andes is reinforced by the brilliantly colored folk art, made by a cooperative of women. The problem is that the boy exists only as a voice to convey information--which he does in an earnest, but unconvincing, monologue. The folk art, while appealing, does little to convince readers that this is a particular child with emotions. Although the book is a bit of a throw-back (it is primarily an informational book clothed as fiction), it packs in a lot of detail and would be a useful introduction to the culture. The photographs of the arpilleras give an additional dimension, and the two pages of photos showing the women making them are among the most interesting in the book. The sale of the arpilleras and a percentage of the royalties will go to support relief efforts. Would that such obvious sincerity had produced more inspired fiction and a deeper view of a rich culture. --Eleanor K. MacDonald, Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.