A blue backpack. Una mochila azul.

Empty!

A brother and sister, un hermano y una hermana, and their little bear, un osito.

Sleepy!

But there are so many things to gather -- and so much to be done!

Come join the fun -- in English and Spanish -- and make an ordinary afternoon extraordinary.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A blue backpack. Una mochila azul.

Empty!

A brother and sister, un hermano y una hermana, and their little bear, un osito.

Sleepy!

But there are so many things to gather -- and so much to be done!

Come join the fun -- in English and Spanish -- and make an ordinary afternoon extraordinary.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

What they did for counting in the bilingual Fiesta!, author Ginger Foglesong Guy and artist Ren King Moreno now do for colors in Siesta. A brother and sister introduce the Spanish words for colors using everyday objects: "Mi mochila azul. My blue backpack." Velvety pastels, watercolors and pencils in a palette reminiscent of Guatamalan fabrics, invite readers into the siblings' activities. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Deborah Zink

Take young readers on a backyard camping trip that will not soon be forgotten. In English and Spanish, the story teaches a rainbow of color words and some common expressions. The rich and muted tones fill the pages with color and charm as two winsome children prepare to spend the afternoon outside in a tent. Collecting paraphernalia needed for hours of fun, this sister and brother run from room to room getting just the right stuff—backpack and jackets, a flute, a clock, a flashlight, books and a bear, each in a different color. Of course, the last item is the most important, a vibrant and multihued Mexican blanket which serves as the tent—and cleverly provides the readers with an opportunity to review all the colors in two languages. It is mighty comfortable in the shade of that backyard tent and, soon enough, it is time for a little afternoon rest—siesta. Many studies show that children learn second languages best at young ages and this is a terrific way to tempt kids to pick up some new words. 2005, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 7.

Kirkus Reviews

In this festive companion to their Fiesta (1996), Guy and Moreno again combine a brief bilingual text with full-page, full-color illustrations brimming with soft-edged details. Here a brother and sister go through the various rooms of the house deciding what they need to gather in order to create the perfect backyard setting for a nap. On most pages, the English and Spanish texts are woven together-"Que necesitamos? What do we need? Mi mochila azul. My blue backpack." The large, bold type is easy to read and prints the words for colors in those colors. Warm and charming, this treat invites young readers to broaden their linguistic horizons. (Picture book. 4-8)