One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers

by Roseanne Thong, John Parra (Illustrator)

Lively picture book enumerates the joys of counting in both English and Spanish

Boisterous illustrations and rhyming text: One is a rainbow. One is a cake. One is a piñata that's ready to break! In this lively picture book, a companion to the Pura Belpré–honored Green Is a Chile Pepper, children discover a fiesta of numbers in the world around them, all the way from one to ten. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this vibrant book enumerates the joys of counting and the wonders that abound in every child's day!
Filled with bright and colorful images that makes counting objects a party.
Includes numbers 1 through 10 in English and Spanish and incorporates Spanish words into the rhyming text.
Roseanne Greenfield Thong is the author of more than a dozen award-winning children's books, including Round Is a Tortilla, Wish, 'Twas Nochebuena, Día de Los Muertos, and Green Is a Chile Pepper. John Parra is an award-winning illustrator who has received three Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor awards.
Fans of Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes and Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors will love this lively companion book, One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers.

Perfect for preschoolers and early readers working on counting skills and learning basic Spanish vocabulary.
Books for kids ages 4-7
Engaging children's picture book that teaches counting skills and is a basic Spanish-language learning tool
Fun book to read aloud for families or elementary schools

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Spanish Literature, Storytime, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2019

About the author

Also writes as Roseanne Greenfield Thong.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still trying to learn Spanish - wonderful art! This was a really fun book - a perfect book to read with children at a birthday party before they start swinging! This is the type of book that will get lots of repeat reads; a great addition to any 'trying to learn Spanish' personal library.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of counting books alongside my two boys but this was the first English/Spanish one. Going from the numbers one to ten, Thong and Parra shower the book in rich cultural references to Mexico including foods and drinks, music, gifts and celebrations. The books follows a mixed rhyming structure throughout and key words (which are then explored further in the glossary) are in bold. I enjoyed the rich, diverse illustrations and it is clear that Parra has built upon his own heritage here and the pages sing and shines with a glimpse into real Mexican life. My only gripe would be that although some key words are phonetically presented, none of the numbers are and these on the key pages (even in both languages) would have helped. Also, I'm not sure if the phonetic interpretation of all the Spanish words are correct.

[Ellie Abrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to encourage counting from an early age. The text is intertwined with Spanish, allowing children to develop their vocabulary as they read this book. This is also helped by the glossary contained at the book of the book, which states the English translation for all the Spanish words in the text.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright, whimsical illustrations invite imagination. Rhyming verses are primarily in English with key words in Spanish.

Storytime themes: counting, Latinx culture, Spanish

[BrookesEducationLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful intertwining of English and Spanish in this colourful counting book full of rhythm, with a handy glossary and pronunciation chart at the back. Thoroughly recommended!

[Nicole Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated educational counting book.

Great for a bilingual child, as most of the counted object words are in Spanish. There is at least one Spanish vocabulary word per page.

There is also a glossary in the back for every Spanish word in the book which is a really nice touch.

“Two are maracas we shake to the beat.
Two are zapatos on my feet.”

Glossary
Maracas: “rattles made from dried gourds attached to a wooden handle and filled with seeds or dried beans. Maracas are shaken in pairs as rhythm instruments.”
Zapatos: shoes

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes glossary.

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun counting book with lots of Spanish words and a glossary in the back to help with pronunciation and definitions.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming English text is enhanced by Spanish vocabulary in the counting book, One is a Pinata: a Book of Numbers by Roseanne Greenfield Thong. A glossary at the back gives definitions for unfamiliar words. Illustrations of everyday life in a pallate of blues, reds, browns and yellows by John Parra complement the text. For ages 3 - 7.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming book of how to count from the number one to ten. This book uses both Spanish and English in the vocabulary of this book. It also has a glossary of the Spanish words used throughout the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It flows so nicely and has fun, colorful illustrations. There are Spanish words peppered throughout the book, in bold-faced type, with a glossary in the back with pronunciations and definitions/translations. great read-aloud with 4-7 y/o.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another concept book to add to any early childhood-primary library!


A detailed review can be found on the following blog:
https://latinosinkidlit.com/2020/01/2...

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun counting book in English and Spanish with a glossary at the back. This vibrantly illustrated picture book is the third in a series that includes Green Is a Chile Pepper and Round as a Tortilla.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn to count to 10 in English and Spanish. There are also other Spanish words throughout and a glossary at the end to help with unfamiliar terms.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyme interspersed with Spanish.

[George Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Is a Piñata by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by John Parra introduces children to the numbers 1-10 through a cultural approach. This book uses Mexican culture, traditions, language and symbols to teach children about these set of numbers. It uses a combination of Spanish, Spanglish, and English language to focuses on the Mexican culture that is part of specific regions of the world. This book adds cultural significance to the concept of numbers by incorporating multiple factors of Mexican culture in ways that teach students of different ethnic backgrounds about numbers in relation to this culture’s traditions, symbols, and language. The author’s choice of using a mixture of different variations of the Spanish language also allows children to compare and relate to them. Sims Bishop notes how several traditions part of cultural groups allow children to compare them to their own culture ("Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors," 2015, pg.2). This book does allow for a comparison and introduction of Mexican culture, which further helps students of this and other ethnic backgrounds become aware of the similarities and differences pertaining to it. The significance relies heavily on this book’s use of numbers to represent a different culture to children who might not relate to it. Overall, the numbers as a central concept illustrate the richness of a Mexican culture in this children's book.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a good example of how numbers can be learnt in a different way as apposed to being taught how to count in a classroom. The addition of an extra language makes it even more exciting. Just because it's not all in English, doesn't mean that people who only speak English can't access the text. The Spanish words are incorporated throughout the book and even if you don't know what they mean, the pictures can be used to help. "Four are bolillos just waiting to dip" - you may not know what bolillos are but the fact there are four loaves in the illustration helps to make that link between a new language and the English translation is made slightly easier, and there's even a glossary in the back of the book to help if you really want/need it.

Even if you already know how to count this book is a great way to get a small insight into Spanish/Mexican culture. Seeing their food, their clothes, even their parties is great especially for those who may never have experienced that culture before or possibly more importantly, those that come from this culture but often don't see it expressed in picture books. We need more books like this for precisely that reason.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as has been the case for this author's previous books, the text weave in English and Spanish in lively and engaging fashion. Readers follow the rhyming text as four lines celebrate various numbers, from one to ten. Created in paint, the illustrations complement the text quite well as they feature various characters embracing life in stylish fashion until they're all gathered together on the last pages. There's even a glossary in the back of the book that gives a pronunciation key for the Spanish words and a brief explanation of the terms. Starting with aguas frescas--yum!--and concluding with zapatos, this is a book that is fun to read aloud and just as much fun to look at. Teachers interested in adding a dash of culture and language into their classroom will want to share this one with their students.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One is a Pinata is an animated picture book and winner of Pura Bulpre award for illustration. It contains memorizing, lively and whimsical imagery of Latino/a characters as they count from numbers 1-10. People are portrayed in a very authentic and realistic themes with Spanish motifs such as paintings of Spanish dancers; surroundings such as the “Five beach palapas”; and common items such as aguas with umbrellas and “Six kinds of salsa,” and “Four are bolillos just waiting to tip in four cups of chocolate-but first take a sip”. There is highly rhythmic Latino dialogue, “Two are maracas we shake to the beat, Two are zapatos on my feet”. The dialects are universally appealing; and the translanguaging is great for English learners. The siesta, playing of the guitar and soccer games; and annual celebrations like the Day of the Dead will transport you in time and space.

[Vanessa Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about teaching students numbers one through ten in Spanish and English. It also talked about different words in Spanish and there was also a glossary on the back that talked about what the Spanish words mean and where they were in the book. I liked this book because it is not only multicultural but it also introduces children to another language that we can bring into the classroom. I want to have this book in my classroom and read it aloud for students to have and I want them to ask questions about different cultures I want them to be curious.
Author: Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrated: John Parra
Publisher: Chronicle Books March 12, 2019

[Susan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun bilingual picture book filled with rhyming and counting. Primarily in English, it is sprinkled with Spanish words throughout and depicts typical activities of Latino children, for both everyday and special occasions. Beginning with one/uno and going all the way to ten/diez, this book is great for counting and learning some Spanish words. A helpful Glossary includes pronunciation guides and useful information about the Spanish words in the story. Colorful illustrations by John Parra add to the fun.
Note: This book can be used in a counting/Census story time.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

On each two page spread we find the numeral, the number in English, and the number in Spanish, as well as the text which points out several things to count. The things may be in English (example: marigolds) or Spanish (example: calveras). There's a Spanish glossary in the back, but it's probably not needed.

Speaks the way bilingual people frequently do -- slipping in a word from the other language where it seems appropriate.

Goes from 1 to 10.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a counting book or a bilingual Spanish book need, this is a nice book. I was most happy to find the glossary at the end as I discovered that my guesses for the objects mentioned in the text were not perfect. What a great learning opportunity for me! Illustrations by John Parra are festive and fun.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This counting book counts up from one to ten, in both Spanish and English. The rhyming that goes with the counting is mostly in English, but occasionally words are in Spanish. The images are helpful context clues, but there is also a glossary in the back for definitive answers. Spanish culture is highlighted in the content and is done so very well.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third concept book by this duo.

Numbers one = uno to ten = diez, young readers will learn about Latinx culture in these quatrains and count to ten. Greenfield Thong's poems are just right with Parra's lively paintings. Another successful collaboration.

Recommended for grades PreS-grade 1.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the books in these series are good and kind of similar to one another. But this one did counting in a kind of creative way, incorporating it into the narrative. My 3.5 year old is not really into counting books right now, so she wasn't a huge fan, but I read it and enjoyed it. Would recommend for a different and spansih-language/mexican culture infused take on a counting book.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful counting book sharing the fun of fiestas and Mexican food, drinks, and traditions. The rhyming poems for each number help English readers learn the names of everything enjoyed in each colorfully illustrated spread. And there is also a helpful glossary in the back of the book.

A gorgeous book!

[Libby Forgues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: John Parra

A good multicultural book to read to children when learning counting in Spanish. Perfect for early readers working on counting skills and learning basic Spanish vocabulary. Book for kids ages 4-7 and is an engaging children's picture book that teaches counting skills and is a basic Spanish-language learning tool

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book more for the great cultural aspect--it's not really a counting book even though it counts up from one to ten. I love that the text seamlessly incorporates Spanish words (rhyming English to Spanish words too!).

[Hailey Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to work with numbers and languages! You can totally work in diversity, and it would be super easy to prompt kids to make guesses based on the pictures as to what each word in Spanish means. The end has a little dictionary of Spanish words and what they are. Loooove!