Fresh from the country, Juanito is bewildered by his new school. Everything he does feels upside down: he eats lunch when it's recess and goes out to play when it's time for lunch, and his tongue feels like a rock when he tries to speak English. But a sensitive teacher and his loving family help Juanito find his voice through poetry, art, and music.

Ages 6 and up
ISBN-10: 0-89239-217-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-89239-217-9
32pp, 8 x 9 3/4
Color Illustrations Throughout

Juan Felipe Herrera's playful language and the magical illustrations of Elizabeth Gomez capture the universal experience of entering a new school and feeling lost in a world that seems upside down - at first.

Reach And Teach says:

The illustrations are captivating - the story is wonderful - and having both English and Spanish for each page provides a great opportunity to learn either language. This is a wonderful find that celebrates diversity and helps anyone facing new situations discover ways to shine.

Review:

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-In rhythmic, flowing language, Herrera uses startlingly apt images to tell the story of a young Hispanic boy's adjustment to an Anglo school. Juanito is worried about entering a new school, afraid that his tongue will "-turn into a rock." Indeed, on the first day, this is what happens. He feels frightened, shy, and "de cabeza," upside down. Fortunately, his teacher recognizes his musical and verbal abilities, and with her encouragement and the support of his family, Juanito not only fits in, but shines. Based on Herrera's own experiences in third grade, this positive look at the process of adjustment is beautifully complemented by Gomez's brilliantly colored, primitive acrylic illustrations. Francisco Jimenez's La Mariposa (Houghton, 1998) and Jane Medina's My Name Is Jorge: On Both Sides of the River (Boyds Mills, 1999) cover similar turf, though in a less upbeat manner. El nino is an excellent addition to a growing body of work on the experience of adjusting to life in a new culture.
--Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA