Dale, Dale, Dale / Hit It, Hit It, Hit It: Una Fiesta de Números / A Fiesta of Numbers

by René Saldaña Jr., Carolyn Dee Flores (Illustrations)

In this bilingual counting picture book for kids, a young boy counts to fourteen in anticipation of his birthday party: one piata filled with candy; two hours until the party; three tables set for all of the guests, etc. And hell be the happiest boy in the world because he gets to hit the piata first!

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Spanish Literature, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2014

About the author

René Saldaña Jr. graduated from Georgia State University (Ph.D.) with degrees in English and creative writing. He and his family live in south Texas, where he teaches English and writing at the university level. He is the author of "The Jumping Tree "and "Finding Our Way."

Reviews

[Crystal]

Review copy from the publisher -

Dale, Dale, Dale is a counting book with a birthday setting. My favorite illustration is when Mateo counts five lucha libre masks. I think that will be a selling point with my students since they loved reading Niño Wrestles the World. Like many counting books, there isn't a whole lot of storyline happening, but it is still fun. Most children can relate to being excited about a birthday celebration. I think it would be great to read this along with Just a Minute by Yuyi Morales since that is also a birthday counting book.

The illustrations are bright and engaging. They totally make me smile. Of course, it would be difficult to read this without feeling the urge to hit a piñata so that would be the perfect extension activity - especially if readers count the swings.

Another plus is that the book is completely bilingual. The piñata song does lose a little in the translation to English though. It definitely sounds best in Spanish. I would have liked the music to go along with the book since I didn't know how the song goes, but there are many videos on YouTube that helped me that could also be used with students.

I will be happy to share this with my primary grade students. It's sure to bring smiles.

[Maryam]

I think this book will definitely appeal to my students. All the excitement and all the elements (including Lucha Libre masks) are there. I really do not like the photo-realistic style of the pictures myself. However, it remains to be seen if the kids are put off by the visuals.

[OnceUponALibrarian]

Kids will relate to this bilingual counting book about a boy & his birthday party, celebrating with his cousins. Good one for Pre-K, Kinder.