Pedro's Burro: A Story for Kids (Ages 4-8) About Finding the Right Burro with Papa

by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Pau Estrada (Illustrator)

There are many burros! How will Pedro an Papa find one that is just right?

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Alyssa Satin Capucilli was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and pursued her interest in dance, becoming a professional dancer and dance instructor. Though Capucilli had written stories, poems, and even puppet shows as a child, she didn't consider a career as a writer until after her own two children were born. To this day she sees herself as both a dancer and a writer, and the two professions complement each other nicely: dancing is, in her words, “telling stories in another way,” and readers of her children's books can attest to the rhythm of her language. Since 1994, she has written more than 15 books for children, and her work has been translated into French, Hebrew, Afrikaans, Greek, and Bulgarian.

Capucilli lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband and children. They have a chocolate Labrador retriever named Huckleberry, who likes to watch the author at work.

Reviews

[Firstgradejags · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are learning how to be better thinkers while we are reading. So, we used this book to learn how writers give us clues to how a character should sound when they are talking.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the author of the Biscuit the Puppy novels for kids. In Mexico Pedro and his papa need a burro from the market to pull and transport their farm stuff. Papa tells Pedro the secret is not to look for the burro they need: the burro, or donkey, will find you. And sure enough.....ahh. I'll let you find it yourself. Kinda like you'd find you, or will joy find you?
Four stars
Pedro has a nice ass, ahem, BURRO!

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for a begining reader to read aloud to a parent, or good for pre-readers to join in and read easily identifiable text, like, 'hee-haw' which is always printed in italics.
Also, as my four year old pointed out to me, this book offers an opportunity to discuss fore-shadowing. Early in the story, the burro who eventually chooses Pedro and his father can be seen at the end of an alley, with a couple of other burros. The burro that chooses them is looking straight at them. Pedro's dad, and the burro are also both wearing yellow hats!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "My First Shared Reading" book; meaning it is a very simple written book with a few words; repeatitive words on each page. But that doesn't count it down at all. The illustrations and the enjoyment of Pedro his Papa and how they found their Burro or how their Burro found them! Any animal lover will appreciate and really like this book. My 2 year old granddaughter and I enjoyed it.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great because it teachers children about family relationships and getting a task done. In this case the father and the child are trying to find the right BUrro in order to accomplish the task they need. But the Burro finds them at the end.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, which surprised me. I'm one of the few who is not wild about the Biscuit books. But Pedro's Burro has a bit more depth and is a nice multicultural addition to the easy reader lineup.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginning readers to read on their own and/or with their parents. It's not too long, has simple and somewhat repetitive narrative, and an engaging story. Fun to read aloud.

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy text for a real-beginning reader; the illustrations are cute and the story is sweet. It could easily be used as a culture-awareness book, too.

[Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

You sailed through this on your first try. I was so impressed. You are going to become a great reader and books like these help a ton.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting. Good story but different