Off We Go to Mexico!: An Adventure in the Sun

by Laurie Krebs, Christopher Corr (Illustrator)

A book about life and customs of Mexico. Includes Spanish words.

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature, Childrens, Travel, Storytime, Nonfiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Laurie Krebs combines her love of children's literature with her enthusiasm for traveling, to create her wonderful picture books that bring readers all around the world. She lives in Virginia with her husband, Bill.

Reviews

[AleJandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es raro que un libro me haga enojar, pero este lo logro.

[Rory Scott Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun, informative holiday to Tierra Azteca is a great foray into the spanish language and mexican culture. The simple text and vibrant illustrations give a real feel of what it might be like to visit Mexico.

Each double page spread has key words translated into spanish and has a different unique feature that the country has to offer. The book follows a family holiday so can be related back to very nicely. At the end of the book there is a beautiful map of the territory, a fact file about mexico today, a run-down of the fiesta seasons, a history of the country and a few useful spanish phrases.

The cross-curricular nature of the book means children can learn geography, history, spanish, science and some cultural intricacies all at the same time.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the warm beach to the depths of an urban market, this story takes you through Mexico while tutoring your child in Spanish! Fun, educational, great for little globe-trotters...
As always, you can find this and all other Barefoot Books on my website.

[Anne Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this picture book, even though there was one specific part of it, I will criticize a bit. The pictures in the books follow a certain stereotype of Mexico: a happy, colorful place filled with sombreros, horses and Spanish guitars. However, it also creates a positive image of the country for the reader. Every second page shows basic English words translated into Spanish, which I believe improve the reader's vocabulary and language. The words often rime and gives a rhythm to the reading, which may also affect the vocabulary positively.
In the end of the story, the authors dig digs deeper into actual facts about Mexico, the weather, unique areas and cultural traditions. It also tells the story of Mexico from 10.000 years before Christ to present time in only two pages. This short historical overview seems manageable, but may be considered as a bit superficial. In the end, we see a list of Spanish expressions that are important to know when travelling in the country, such as "Good morning"/"Buenas días".
Especially the ending of the story contributes to sharing the world's diversity which is one of publisher, Barefoot Books' main goals. The books truly enlightens children about the world and different cultures and thereby, helps to educate children as open-minded, enlightened citizens.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A colorful book of descriptive rhyme that takes you around Mexico to enjoy the sites. You'll learn Spanish words on each page and the back includes a map and some fun facts.

Ages: 4 - 8

#geography #centralamerica #mexico

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Chrissy Shea Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this as part of our Little Passports subscription. Not nearly as much information as other countries have provided but still informative with vocabulary and a small history section at the end. Overall, it’s a good book but when comparing to other books in the series/subscription there should be more. (But I don’t know if it was written for Little Passports or not.)

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright, eye catching illustrations accompany a simple story about a family’s travels through Mexico. Each page includes a few Spanish words associated with the illustration on that page. There is also a nice section at the back that includes a map and some history and geography of Mexico to expand on the more general coverage of the topics within the story.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed reading this book as part of our exploration into the country south of our border, Mexico. I like the bilingual nature of the book in introducing key Spanish words and the bright vibrant pictures were culturally expressive. The Facts and Historical Timeline at the end of the book extend the useful life of the book as kids age as well.

[Teresa Selders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grade level for this book is k-5th grade with readers ranging in 4 to 10 years old. I chose this book because it takes the readers to Mexico without actually going there. I like this book because its a rhyming book with bright colors. I would chose it for my classroom because it teaches some spanish phrases and gives us some historical facts about Mexico at the end of this book.

[Terrance McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel with a family to Mexico and learn Spanish words and phrases and discover Mexican culture visiting village festivals, ancient pyramids, and fun facts about life in Mexico. This book allows you to see what goes in the Mexican culture and lets you insert yourself in the Mexican culture by having Spanish words in it and pictures that help you understand what it is.

[Ardyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

First the food news: colorful, has some Spanish vocab, a good map in the back which references where the book's main scenes take place.

The bad news: the actual text is uninspiring.

A good, solid three stars showing. Not awful, not brilliant.

[Heather Lugar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to have children see phonological awareness. There is rhyming in this book about being in Mexico. There are words which are in spanish. For exposure of rhyming and phonological awareness this is a good book.

[Kennedy Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great for covering phonological awareness because every page has rhyming words. The illustrations are very colorful and interesting to look at. This book would also be good to have in the library because of the dual language that is presented in the text.

[Sarah Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another rhyming book that introduces phonological awareness. This book also teaches students about another country and some of its customs. The book contains English to Spanish translations within the text.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Shows information from other countries that informs kids of different countries
2. Good use of rhyming words, then make sure to re read for exposure books
3. English to Spanish translations throughout

[Courtney Byrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

diverse characters
represents Mexican culture
introduction of pyramids, villages, market day, dances
engaging
rhyming
happy and informative
great for a read aloud
english and spanish translations

[Cheyenne Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun, colorful and very informative about the holiday to Tierra Azteca. The book also has Spanish words and is rich in Mexican culture, really provides an insight to the culture of Mexico.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for homeschooling my 5 and 7 year old grandchildren. We are going to study Spanish on Wednesdays during the pandemic.
The book is positive, colorful with some vocabulary and a pretend trip to Mexico.
It's very appropriate for my purposes. I'm glad to have purchased it.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice rhymes, good words, colorful, exploring culture. Use of other language.

[Kylee Lockridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for phonological awareness and exposure. This book is a rhyming book.

[Bailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has great rhyming within the book. Brings exposure to children of a new place or culture. Illustrations are great!

[Rachel Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhyming book. Learn about other cultures/countries! Spanish words are included to bring in diversity. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Camryn Kerrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

- A good book to teach rhyming
- Teaches about the culture/country
- English to Spanish translations
- Can be used for an interactive read aloud

[Caliana Berch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The visualization and pictures were nicely done. The actual text did not have much to go off of but using it to concentrate on rhyming would be beneficial.

[Kayla Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

-rhyming book
-cultural diversity
-translations in Spanish and English
-exposure and/or read aloud book

[Lauren DeVore · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Spanish/english translations
-rhyming words throughout
-diverse perspective (talks about a different culture)
-Could use for an interactive read aloud (lots to talk about)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming adventure through Mexico history and culture with beautiful illustrations.

[Audrey Doerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is rich in vocabulary and the illustrations are rich in color. It is good book to add to a classroom library as part of cultural diversity. It would be a good interactive read aloud.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, rhyming book full of Mexican culture and words.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and colorful children's book that teaches them all about Mexico and the culture there. It gives a short story but in the back of the book it has fun facts all about their history and traditions. This is good for children who want more information and it could really get them interested in learning about a different part of the world. They can at least gain an appreciation and understanding through this book. In addition to the facts, they also have simple words and phrases in Spanish which kids find fun to say.
The illustrations in this book are also wonderful. They are really vibrant which reflect the culture and they are a good tool in teaching little ones their colors. I thought the concept of this book was really cool.