Bøger udgivet af PINATA BOOKS

When stray dogs start disappearing from the neighborhood, Vincent's dad thinks that maybe the Animal Control Department is finally doing its job. But then, Mrs. Rangel's celebrity chihuahua Chato, who appeared in television commercials promoting tacos, disappears. And Mrs. Garca's weiner dog and Mrs. West's poodle go missing. Everyone in the neighborhood is puzzled, but Vincent Ventura has a theory. The disappearances started when Mr. Calaveras moved into the house at 666 Duende Street, which is rumored to be haunted. Vincent knows he's not the harmless but grumpy guy that everyone else sees. He's convinced the old man is behind the rash of missing dogs. In fact, Vincent is sure he's a monster, a blood-sucking beast known as el chupacabras! Vincent enlists the aid of his cousin Michelle, the smartest student at their school, and her twin brother Bobby to spy on the suspected killer. Vincent Ventura, monster fighter extraordinaire, is determined to catch him in the act, even if it puts them all in danger! This first installment in Garza's exciting new Monster Fighter Mystery series contains the author's dramatic black and white illustrations. This spine-tingling short novel for ages 8-12 will introduce Latino creepy creatures to a new generation of readers.

Cousins are friends and rivals. Cousins are funny and frustrating. But the most important thing is that cousins are family. We are Cousins / Somos primos celebrates the joy of this special family bond. The children explain that they are cousins because their mothers are sisters, and from the moment they get together, the fun begins. They march in a make-believe parade, gobble up a pizza, and share a cozy story on Abuelo's lap. But they also blame each other if something goes wrong, don't want to share their toys, and wiggle against each other to nab a spot on Abuela's lap. Written in simple language for children ages 3-5, the brief English and Spanish text will become a valuable tool to encourage children to think and talk about their own families. It will also become a favorite book for children and grandchildren to share with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and of course, cousins. Vivid illustrations by Christina Rodriguez in bright, primary colors complement this story that will be as much fun to read at story hour as it will be to read on the family sofa. Named to the 2009-1010 Tejas Star Reading List; 2008 International Latino Book Award 2nd Place Recognition for Best Children's Picture Book-Bilingual

One day in a small California barrio, a scary-looking stranger with an ugly scar on his face arrives. Silence falls on the streets. Normally raucous children stop playing, and their fearful mothers quickly beckon them inside. Everyone peeks out of windows and doors to watch the stranger walk down Main Street. Later in the week, the stranger again appears in town. And a few days later, on a pleasant Sunday morning, the man shows his frightening face yet again. But this time, he's not alone. Cradled in the stranger's arms is a big, red rooster with a yellow ribbon tied around its neck. When the rooster sets off after a bug with the stranger hanging on to the ribbon "like a cowboy who had lassoed a wild bull," the townspeople are finally able to look past the long, ugly scar on the stranger's face. Echoing the oral tradition common to so many Latinos, acclaimed author Victor Villasenor shares with young readers one of his father's favorite stories. With vibrant illustrations by Jos Jara, this will soon become the favorite of many children aged 3 to 7.

"My name / is Water / but everyone / calls me Little Water." In this beautiful, poetic ode to the life-giving force of water, award-winning children's book author Jorge Argueta describes"€"in English, Spanish and Nahuat"€"the life cycle of water from the perspective of one drop. From its birth deep in Mother Earth, Little Water climbs to the surface, passing through roots and rocks, light and darkness. Finally, the tiny bead of water makes it to the top and rests, "a sigh of morning dew," hanging on "the tips of leaves / on spider webs / or on the petals / of flowers." The droplet becomes a river, a lake, an ocean, ultimately climbing to the sky and turning into a cloud. Then, "drop by drop / I return singing / to our Mother Earth. I am Little Water. / I am life." With stunningly beautiful illustrations by Felipe Ugalde Alcntara that depict the mountains, rocks, vegetation and animals of the natural world, this poem about the importance of water reflects Argueta's indigenous roots and his appreciation for nature. Containing the English and Spanish text on each page, the entire poem appears at the end in Nahuat, the language of Argueta's Pipil-Nahua ancestors. This book is an excellent choice to encourage children to write their own poems about the natural world and to begin conversations about the interconnected web of life.

A young boy's grandmother lives far away, but they keep in touch using cell phones and other devices. She calls him every day, and they talk, play games and sometimes even sing songs. She sends him photos of her dogs, Ambar and Goliath, and he uses his dad's phone to show her their house and send videos. He always waits expectantly for her daily call, but one day he doesn't hear from her. The next time they talk, she is wearing a mask that covers her nose and mouth. She said she wasn't feeling well. A few days later on their video call, she wears a mask with a tube attached. His father explained the tube was connected to an oxygen tank to help her breathe. Then she stops calling altogether, and the boy is worried. Will he need to go rescue her?

Six-year-old Dulce loves sweets, which is fitting since her name means "sweet." She especially relishes the candy in birthday piänatas, and she and her sister can't wait for her own party "with candles and cake, / balloons, music and a piänata." Kids will eagerly follow Dulce and her sweet tooth in search of the perfect birthday treats. At the store, there are brightly colored piänatas shaped like stars, cacti, donkeys and even a guitar! How to decide?!? And what does she want to fill its belly with? There are "mountains of delicious candies" to choose from! There are mazapanes, tamarindo and sweet toffee! Crunchy wafers with teeth made of seeds and sugar-crusted sweet potato slices! Claudia Navarro's colorful illustrations joyfully depict two girls' excitement at a traditional Mexican birthday celebration where hitting the piänata leads to a cascade of sweet treasures. Children--and some adults too--will enjoy identifying their favorite candies, and this bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8 is sure to inspire kids' plans for their own birthday celebrations!

"In this poetic ode to kids' favorite fall holiday, a young boy eagerly anticipates the impending night. There are so many costumes to choose from that he can't decide. But finally, "A fierce pirate that's what I'll be, / and no one will recognize me." There are pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, haunted houses and spooky front porches. And best of all, the treats! Nicole Montenegro's vibrant illustrations bring to life a neighborhood with children in elaborate costumes--a mummy, a princess, a cowboy, Dracula!--, going from door to door calling, "Trick or treat!" This bilingual picture book will encourage children ages 4-8 to write their own poems about Halloween--and of course begin imagining their costumes for a very special night!"--Amazon.com

Young Lupe loves helping her mother with their salsa garden full of tomatoes, chile peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro. But one summer day, she sees that the biggest, juiciest tomatoes have disappeared! Who could have taken them?!? Two weeks later, she catches the culprit in the act! It's Antonio, the new boy at school. His family doesn't have much money and the tomatoes look so good. He offers his gold necklace from his grandmother in Mexico in exchange for the tomatoes, but Lupe has a better idea. "Let's make a deal. You help me with the garden, and I'll give back your necklace and some tomatoes." They become friends over the summer as they weed, water and pick vegetables. When the growing season ends and they have composted the leaves and stems, Lupe happily returns Antonio's necklace. The following year, Lupe and Antonio invite their neighbors to help with the garden. Soon everyone is pitching in to grow fruit and vegetables for salsa and much more, from tomatoes to watermelon, and squash, beans and corn--America's first crops. Including easy-to-make recipes, this bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8 will have them clamoring for a garden of their own to plant and harvest. Along the way, young readers--and the adults in their lives too--will learn that coming together as a community will enable them to harvest more than just vegetables.