Susan Middleton Elya

Author Susan Middleton Elya and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal, who also collaborated on La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Niños, join forces here to present a Spanish-infused Latino version of the classic Danish fairy-tale from Hans Christian Andersen, The Princess and the Pea. The rhyming text follows along as a queen plots against any prospective bride in which her son might become interested. When she gives the young woman who has caught the prince's eye a special test, he decides show more to take a hand in matters...

I am generally quite wary of cultural revisionism, when it comes to the retelling of traditional and classic tales. I often feel that unless there is some specific reason for the change - some theme from the original that speaks to something in the new version's culture, for instance - than the changes are problematic, arising either from a lack of cultural respect, or from a mistaken notion that folk and fairy-tales need to be made multicultural, when they already are. Of course, folklore travels between cultures organically, so it's a tricky question. In any case, although I don't really see the need for a Latino version of The Princess and the Pea - I'd much rather see Latino and Latin American folktales, which are grossly under-represented in American children's literature, get some exposure - I actually really enjoyed La Princesa and the Pea. It isn't a bilingual book, as some reviewers claim, but it uses quite a bit of Spanish, with these words glossed at the front of the book, rather than the rear. The story is told in rhyming text, and is entertaining, while the artwork, done by Martinez-Neal in acrylics, colored pencil and graphite, is adorable. This illustrator was awarded a Caldecott Honor for her recent Alma and How She Got Her Name, but I actually think that the artwork here, inspired (according to Martinez-Neal's afterword) by the traditional weaving art of the indigenous people of Peru, is far superior. I can certainly see why it was chosen for a Pura Belpre Award! Recommended to fans of this illustrator, and to anyone looking for revisionist fairy-tale retellings with a Latino twist. show less

Watch out , Wolf - this is one tough Little Roja!

Of all the childrens books about LRRH I've read lately, this Little Roja is by far my favorite. Why? She's so darn feisty and self-reliant! Plus, she wears cowboy boots, has a room filled with books, and two helpers along her journey: an orange tabby and the three blind mice. How fun is that?!! Oh, and did I mention it's all in rhyme? Loved it!

Elya's billingual version includes a glossary of Spanish words, which I found helpful and fun. I'm show more not ashamed to admit, over the years, I've learned more Spanish from visual entertainment media (like Dora the Explorer and the foreign movies I watch) than from any how-to course. I think Elya's version would be a great addition to English-speaking classes who want to introduce Spanish to children and/or to ESL classes.

As to the illustrations - nothing but love here. Guevara nailed my personal feelings about sunflowers by giving them eyes. She also used bright, vivid colors and filled the pages with those colors with lots of action, not just for LRRH and the wolf, but everywhere on the page.

5 stars (and I added this to my buy list) show less

Love love LOVE this book!! a Spanish twist to The Princess and the Pea. I recently found out Susan Middleton has created more of these Spanish versions of fairy tales such as Mother Goose, Red Riding hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears...so I know what I'm giving my friends' kids this year for their birthdays. The Author-Illustrator team that make Susan and Juana is so good. The charm that Elya has to write her bilingual rhymes goes perfectly with the beautiful way Juana Martinez Neal show more portrays her Peruvian heritage. In this book specifically, I loved seeing the Quechua Textiles in the clothing and the mattresses. I also found it hilarious how the guinea pigs are hiding throughout the book (fried Guinea Pig is a traditional dish there) like the mice of Cinderella. show less

This is a delightful retelling of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood. There are two new twists on the old tale in this version. First, it is told in bilingual, rhyming prose and set in rich southwestern culture. Second, Little Roja Riding Hood saves her grandmother all by herself from the wolf without needing the woodsman to swoop in. This is a fun tale sure to appeal to children and immediately engage them with the bright, bold illustrations that authentically depict southwestern show more culture and geography. Little Roja's confidence and sassiness leap from the page and send an empowering message to readers that she can stand up for herself and her grandmother without help from anyone else. The rhyming prose adds fun while integrating Spanish words throughout the story. show less