The Perfect Piñata/La piñata perfecta

Plot Summary

Marisa’s sixth birthday was drawing near, and today her mother took her to buy a piñata. At the store, Marisa saw a beautiful butterfly piñata and knew she had to have it. When they brought the piñata home, her mother wanted to put it in the closet, but Marisa begged to keep it on her dresser. That week Marisa took her butterfly everywhere, and it watched over her at night while she slept. The morning of the party, Mama filled the piñata with candy and toys. Soon the guests arrived. It was time to hit the piñata! Marisa was the first in line. But the butterfly looked down at her with its happy eyes, and Marisa started to cry. "I can’t do it!" she said as she ran into the house.

Reviews

"In her debut work for children, Dominguez casts English and Spanish text side-by-side to create a pleasing bilingual tale. Marked by corresponding blue and orange stars, careful readers can compare the words in two languages....a solid addition to multicultural and ESL collections." Kirkus Reviews

"Told in English and Spanish, the story is well paced and satisfying. The watercolor pictures convey Marisa's attachment to the butterfly and her emotional turmoil in the midst of a lively party. Birthday stories are always popular; this new one adds a Latin flavor and an unusual twist." Booklist

"The straightforward narrative, clear and direct in both English and Spanish, creates empathy for the sentimental Marisa and builds some moderate tension as the big day arrives. The satisfying ending will make this reassuring story a favorite with young listeners. Paterson's signature pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, bright and busy with lots to look at, enhance the story nicely. Similar in plot to Becky Chavarria-Chairez's Magda's Piñata Magic, The Perfect Piñata is preferable for its narrative quality and illustrative merit." School Library Journal

Associated Keywords
birthday, hispanic, bilingual, spanish, party, pinata, piñata