¡Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes - - - Selected by Alma Ada & F. Isabel Campoy, English Adaptations by Alice Schertle

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ada, Alma F. et. al. 2003. ¡Pío peep!: Traditional spanish nursery rhymes. Ill by Viví Escrivá. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0688160190

PLOT SUMMARY
Twenty-nine nursery rhymes and songs are translated from Spanish to English. Both Spanish and English versions are together side by side. Happy, joyous primary grades literature for oral enjoyment, finger plays, singing and chanting (rhymes).

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This collection of rhymes and songs are meant to be read aloud and enjoyed. While not literally translated, the English version retains the message of the nursery rhymes and songs that would otherwise have been lost. An introduction is provided to detail the emigrated, rich Hispanic heritage from Spain. A table of contents in Spanish and English is also provided. Illustrations help to define characters and reinforce the text. Expressionism is evident with a hint of naïve, folk art.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review from BOOKLIST: "As the preface to this delightful book states, nursery rhymes and songs are an important part of Spanish oral folklore."

Review from CRITICAS: " Twenty-nine nursery rhymes from the Latin American tradition appear in their original Spanish and in informed and stylish English translations. Perfect for beginning the year with the very youngest; the rhymes sing off the page and are excellent for filling those transitional moments with language-rich activity. In either tongue, love of language and poetic expression find an outlet here."

Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Deeply rhythmic verses, compelling rhyme schemes, and words that "play trippingly on the tongue" characterize every verse. Schertle's excellent English adaptations are not literal translations but poetic re-creations. They retain the rhythm, meter, and general meaning of the originals, making the rhymes as memorable and memorizable in English as they are in Spanish."

CONNECTIONS

Related books

Ada, Alma F. 2004. Mamá Goose : a Latino nursery treasury. ISBN 0786819537
Campoy, F. Isabel. 2006. Tales our abuelitas told : a Hispanic folktale collection. ISBN 0689825838

Activities
*Use to promote cultural awareness and read aloud during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15).
*Use as oral introduction to literature and reading for primary grades.
*Incorporate kinesthetic play with A la vibora de la mar/Sea Serpent (“Played like London Bridge..." [falling down] page 42-43).