FROM THE PUBLISHER

Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May) is one of the most celebrated days in the Mexican calendar, but its history and significance are not often fully understood. In the mid¿¿¿19th century, Mexico was in crisis. The French emperor Napoleon III, using the pretext that Mexico was not paying off its debt to European powers, decided to invade and annex it. One of the decisive battles in Mexico's defeat of the French occurred on the fifth of May. Consequently, this day has become a symbol of Mexican pride and independence and continues to be celebrated wherever Mexicans live. In Mexico, villagers reenact the events, playing both sides. This colorful book combines historical accounts with a photographic record of one of the contemporary reenactments, in the village of San Miguel Tlaixpan, to teach children what the holiday means today. It provides a rich source for activities and role-playing that will bring this history alive.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4 This holiday commemorates a battle in which outnumbered Mexican troops managed to defeat the invading French at Puebla in 1862. This book presents a simplified account of the battle, based on war reports from the Mexican army, interspersed with information about the reenactment held each year in San Miguel Tlaixpan. The illustrations consist of hand-colored French and Mexican engravings along with full-color photographs of a contemporary celebration. There is some confusion resulting from the shifts between past and present. Dianne MacMillan's Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo (Enslow, 1997), which is illustrated with photographs, gives a more detailed account of both the battle and the holiday. Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.