Juan Bobo: Four Folktales from Puerto Rico (I Can Read Book Series: Level 3)

From Publishers Weekly
Bernier-Grand retells a quartet of traditional folktales from her native land for this latest offering in the I Can Read series. Juan Bobo, a well-meaning scamp, tries to be good, but like a Puerto Rican Amelia Bedelia, he continually thwarts his mother by taking each of her instructions quite literally. Complaining that the water buckets are too heavy for him to carry, for instance, he's told by his exasperated mother to use something else. Juan Bobo settles on a pair of baskets, and the water, naturally, ends up in a puddle on the floor. In another story, an invitation to dinner and the attendant lecture from Mama on best behavior result in a comedy of errors--and one very hungry boy. The hot tropical colors of Ramos Nieves's stylized illustrations further enliven the tales, giving them a fiesta atmosphere. Spanish-speaking readers will find translations of the stories in the back of the book; the placement, however, seems a bit odd--surely it would have been more effective to allow the Spanish text to share the striking artwork. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Four charming folktales about Puerto Rico's beloved noodlehead, Juan Bobo. In one story, he uses baskets instead of buckets to carry water from the stream because they are lighter; in another tale, the boy dresses the family pig in his mother's clothes with amusing results. In the third tale, Juan Bobo takes his mother's advice to heart when he is told not to sneeze, scratch, or eat too much while he is a guest in a neighbor's home, and he ends up not having any dinner at all. Finally, he is asked to sell his mother's sugarcane syrup to some widows, who are described as being small, dressed in shiny black dresses, carrying fans, and speaking softly. When Juan sees some flies buzzing, he decides that they must be the widows. His completion of this chore is humorous and unique. The easy-to-read, large-print text is in English, with each of the tales reprinted in Spanish at the end of the book. The stories realistically reveal the rural culture of Puerto Rico at the beginning of this century. Nieves's illustrations vividly capture the vibrant colors and rhythms of the tropical countryside. The humorously depicted characters come to life in their expressions and attire. A delightful selection for beginning readers or as a read-aloud.Jessie Meudell, California Polytechnic University at PomonaCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. True to their oral tradition, these tales from rural Puerto Rico are told with immediacy and spirit. The exuberant folk-style illustrations in bright tropical colors reflect the island setting and the scenes of comic confrontation. Juan Bobo is a classic fool character who manages, somehow, to muddle things up yet work things out. He always gets the last word. In the funniest story, he dresses a pig for church in Sunday best, complete with mantilla and high heels. In another piece, he just can't make sense of formal table manners. New readers will enjoy the dialogue and the general silliness. Younger children will enjoy hearing these stories read aloud. Part of the fine I Can Read series, the book has a clear design with large type and illustrations on almost every page; a Spanish translation is provided in small print at the back. Hazel Rochman

From Kirkus Reviews
In an attractive collection, subtitled Four Folktales from Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican-born author and illustrator present their island's popular comic simpleton. Juan Bobo tries to carry water in a basket; he dresses the family pig in Mama's Sunday best; his attempts to be mannerly at table result in his getting nary a bite of a fine meal; and, though he fails to sell Mama's syrup as instructed, he does come home with payment and a full stomach besides. Though simplified, these versions are lively and retain much of the stories' humor; Nieves's bold designs, tropical colors, and stylized forms make an appropriate complement. Spanish versions are given in smaller type at the end. (Folklore/Easy reader. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Mama puts Juan Bobo to work whenever he is having a good time. But he always finds a way to make work fun -- like using baskets instead of buckets to carry water, or sprinkling the pig with Mama's favorite perfume.

Language Notes
Text: English, Spanish

About the Author
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is a storyteller who works in schools and libraries in the Pacific Northwest.This is her first I Can Read Book.She was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in Portland, OR. Ernesto Ramos Nieves is a freelance graphic artist and illustrator.This is his first picturebook.He was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in New York, NY.


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K-Gr 3-Four charming folktales about Puerto Rico's beloved noodlehead, Juan Bobo. In one story, he uses baskets instead of buckets to carry water from the stream because they are lighter; in another tale, the boy dresses the family pig in his mother's clothes with amusing results. In the third tale, Juan Bobo takes his mother's advice to heart when he is told not to sneeze, scratch, or eat too much while he is a guest in a neighbor's home, and he ends up not having any dinner at all. Finally, he is asked to sell his mother's sugarcane syrup to some widows, who are described as being small, dressed in shiny black dresses, carrying fans, and speaking softly. When Juan sees some flies buzzing, he decides that they must be the widows. His completion of this chore is humorous and unique. The easy-to-read, large-print text is in English, with each of the tales reprinted in Spanish at the end of the book. The stories realistically reveal the rural culture of Puerto Rico at the beginning of this century. Nieves's illustrations vividly capture the vibrant colors and rhythms of the tropical countryside. The humorously depicted characters come to life in their expressions and attire. A delightful selection for beginning readers or as a read-aloud.-Jessie Meudell, California Polytechnic University at Pomona


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