Just a MINUTE!

JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK, by Yuyi Morales
AR Level: 3.2 Points: .5
Interest Level: Elementary

This story opens with Grandma Beetle opening her door to find Senor Calavera ( a skeleton) waiting to take her with him. He waves his hand and tells her its time to go. She puts him off time and again, first by saying she has one house to sweep, then two pots of tea to boil, three pounds of corn to make into tortillas, and so on, until she gets to the number nine, and her nine grandchildren run into the house to help her celebrate her birthday. She invites Senor Calavera to stay for the party, which he does. When the party is over, she looks for Senor Calavera, but all she finds is a note that says he enjoyed her party so much that he wouldn’t miss it next year for anything in the world. The last illustration is of Grandma Beetle winking at the reader. It took me a couple of pages to realize that Senor Calavera represented death. Once I realize this, it made the story that much more intriguing. I really enjoyed this book.