Module 3: Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book

Summary

Senor Calavera (a sugary, candied skeleton from Dia de Los Muertos—The Day of the Dead) is excited to attend Grandma Beetle’s birthday party. He goes in search of the perfect birthday present and on his way, the ghost of Zelmira (Grandma’s husband who has died) visits him and lets him know he needs to take a present for Grandma Beetle when he goes to the party. He starts to get one item that begins with each letter of the alphabet, just in case. When his bike hits something (which is Zelmira’s foot), he loses all the gifts he has carefully gathered on his bike. He finally realizes he can give Grandma Beetle the chance to see her beloved husband, Zelmira, in the flesh to the birthday celebration.

A fun, entertaining look at Senor Calavera’s preparations to attend Grandma Beetle’s birthday party, this book is appealing to all ages as it introduces Spanish and English words in an alphabet.

Reference

Morales, Y. (2008). Just in case: A trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press

My Impressions

I learned more about The Day of the Dead from this book. Instead of being scared by a skeleton who represents death, Senor Calaveras is characterized as thoughtful and fun in this ABC Book with some Spanish words. Senor Calaveras searches for fun, imaginative presents in alphabetical order for Grandma Beetle’s birthday. He is a nice skeleton with a sweet face made of candied sugar. The plot in the book concludes with a happy ending. Yuyi Morales’ rich, beautiful illustrations add to the text—which helped it win a 2009 Pura Belpre Medal for Illustration, a 2009 Pura Belpre Honor Book for Narrative, and a 2009 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year Award.

Professional Review

Even better, if possible, than its predecessor, Just A Minute! (2003), this original trickster tale pitches Señor Calavera (i.e., Death—rendered as a skeleton topped by a hilariously expressive sugar skull) into a frantic hunt for birthday presents for his elderly friend Grandma Beetle. Enter Zelmiro the ghost, a white-haired gent with twinkling eyes, who helpfully suggests that “the best present to give a friend is the thing she would love the most.” But what could that be? Bigotes (mustaches), because she has none? Un Chiflido (whistle) trapped in a bag? Fretting about how much of the party he’s missing, Señor Calavera collects something for every letter of the Spanish alphabet from Acordeón to Yerbabuena—but then an accident leaves him with nothing…or does it? Richly hued and filled with action, the illustrations capture the tale’s humor and Latin flavor perfectly, leading on to an entirely logical, hilarious and heartwarming surprise at the end. As gifted an artist as she is a storyteller, Morales is in top form here. (Picture book. 6-9)

Just In Case A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book [Review of the book Just in case A trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book]. (2008, October 15). Kirkus Review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/yuyi-morales/just-in-case-3/

Library Uses

This is a great book to read out-loud; then ask the students to write their own culture-specific alphabet books.