Looking for Bongo

by Eric Velásquez

Oh no! A boy's beloved stuffed toy, Bongo, is missing. No one can help him. When he asks his abuela where Bongo is, she answers, "Yo no se. I don't know." Mom and Dad haven't seen Bongo either. Gato just says "Meow," and runs away. When Bongo finally turns up behind Dad's drum, the problem of Bongo's whereabouts is resolved . . . but it doesn't answer how Bongo got there! The boy decides to set a trap to catch the Bongo thief. Rich illustrations help tell the story of a mystery cleverly solved.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Latinx, Cultural

Paperback

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Eric Velásquez is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including several previous collaborations with Carole Boston Weatherford. He won the John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award for his illustrations of The Piano Man, written by Debbi Chocolate. Eric Velásquez is also the author-illustrator of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award–winning Grandma’s Gift. Born in Harlem, he lives and works in Hartsdale, New York.

Reviews

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bongo is missing! A boy enlists the help of his Afro-Latino family in searching for his missing stuffed toy. But did it go missing accidentally or did someone deliberately swipe his treasured possession? Eric Velasquez has created a lovely book that speaks to multiracial families. The simple first-person text includes Spanish words, and as the boy searches, readers meet his family and see their racial makeup and cultural diversity through the gorgeous oil illustrations. There is no "pounding over the head with a brick" attitude about this book. It doesn't honk loudly "Look at ME! I'm showing a MIXED-RACE FAMILY!" What is particularly satisfying about the book is that the family simply is what it is--like any other family. It's just nice to see it presented as a joyful reality, not an unusual situation to be commented on. That very fact makes me comment on it!

[Mississippi Library Commission · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story in Looking for Bongo is simple, making it easy for kids to follow along. A handful of elementary Spanish words are introduced with a lot of context clues and repetition. (Seriously, we'd all be speaking Spanish in no time if it were always slipped into the text this well.) Velasquez's illustrations really make this book. We loved his vibrant portrayal of a warm and loving Afro-Latino family. Highly recommended.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much love for this one. A seemingly simple story becomes a mystery with a twist. The illustrations are Eric at his finest. I can't say enough about this inter-family narrative. It's a practically perfect picture book.
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[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy searches everywhere for his missing stuffed antelope, Bongo. Although he asks everyone in his family, no one seems to know where the toy is. When he finally finds Bongo, he figures a way to make sure his stuffed animal friend stays close by his side. The last page shows just how smart the boy is. The oil paintings used in the book are filled with warmth and close perspectives and show the family's affection for one another even while they are busily going about their day. I liked the inclusion of Spanish words and phrases and how this family seems to enjoy books, art, and music. It always pleases me to see book shelves filled with books in picture books since it's important to be able to own books of our own. Perfect for a read aloud, this book would be a great title to remind students that sometimes there actually is someone responsible for the disappearance of our objects. Personally, I have always been convinced that there must be some sort of sock thief in my washing machine or dryer since I'm always losing socks in their innards.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abuela and mom don't look that different in age, which is a little confusing. The ending seems a little abrupt as well. As a read aloud, I would likely stop with the boy asleep, hugging his stuffed animal. Those two quibbles aside, this is a good universal story of a child trying to find his missing toy. The Spanish that is sprinkled in is natural and translations follow so it would be easy to share with non-Spanish speaking readers and listeners. It would be useful to have pronunciations at the beginning or end.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy lost Bongo, his toy, and searches through the house. He asks his grandmother, mother and father in both English and Spanish - which is nicely done for children to learn some words in Spanish. Beautiful illustrations in oils.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good multicultural story about a young Afro-Latino boy searching for a lost toy. Spanish words are integrated into the text. Beautiful illustrations add dimension and humor to the story.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good blend of Spanish and English, but felt like the ending came out of nowhere.

[Isaac Reuben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought "Looking for Bongo" written and illustrated by Eric Velásquez was okay. I liked it, but it was not great. Although the book has nice oil paintings, the actual story was a little bit boring. Unfortunately, I had a hard time feeling sorry for the boy, and I was not really worried about finding Bongo either. However, I must admit I was glad to find out who took Bongo in the first place (never trust your siblings!).

However, I did enjoy the simple Spanish words and phrases scattered throughout the book. Also, I like the many books and musical instruments in the background; this family appears to love reading books and playing drums! Finally, on my second read-through I noticed the author/illustrator dedicated this book to his mom, “who once dreamed of becoming a fashion designer”. Interestingly, I noticed the boy’s mom in the book appears to be a fashion designer. I thought this was a neat detail!

[Ariel Filion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for Bongo follows a young Afro-Latino boy as he is looking for his Bongo. The book follows him asking his family members where Bongo is and if someone took it. He looks everywhere and eventually he thinks somebody took it from him at night. This book is engaging for young readers because they can guess where Bongo is and what Bongo is, since the word is not English and the readers have little context to what it is.

Looking For Bongo is a perfect example of tangible multicultural literature for kids in 1st through 3rd grade. Looking for Bongo uses Spanish and has English translation. The inclusion of Spanish not only shows kids that different homes speak different languages, but the importance of language in some cultures. The book also included the boy's "abuela" and that exposes kids to different family dynamics. Many kids may be able to connect with the fact that the boy has his grandmother live with him. Bongo ends up being a stuffed dog, but through the name of the dog the reader is exposed to the importance of music and types of music Afro-Latino families listen to. This book goes beyond culturally generic if one digs into the purpose behind what may seem like generic additions, like buzz words and music. I would recommend this book to be read aloud so students can hear the Spanish. I believe that first through third graders would connect to this book.

[Yvonne Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is picture-perfect in so many ways. The young Afro-Latino boy has the best facial expressions and gestures as he asks members of his family where Bongo is. Young readers can predict who Bongo is and where he could be. Readers will also infer why the boy is looking for Bongo by using the beautiful oil drawings. Just when Bongo is found he begins to wonder how Bongo ever left his side. The very resourceful boy has one last twist for the reader.

Looking for Bongo features a multiracial, extend family home. The use of Spanish phrases throughout by the mother and “abuela” highlights how some families speak more than one language without being over direct. Velasquez has crafted an entertaining and fun read aloud by taking on the role of the young boy and mimicking his facial expressions and gestures for young and old readers. I can’t wait to share this book with other primary teachers in by school building and district.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Issues:
This is heralded as "bi-lingual," but after a fairly even mix of English and Spanish, it becomes pretty much all English about halfway through.

The Spanish is written in a script that makes some of the words hard to decipher if you are an English speaker with a smattering of Spanish, trying to decipher the Spanish. Perhaps the words are translated, but there is no help with pronunciation. And it might help to have had the explanation of the name "Wela" as derived from abuela at the beginning of the book, so a reader would know how to pronounce it, rather than perhaps saying "Wee-la" to rhyme with "Leela!"

The ending twist comes out of nowhere, and falls flat. As for the art, I don't find it "stylized," it's just awkward. Proof that even an "award winning artist" can do a less than fabulous book.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful bilingual book is what you will find when you read this book! This book provides the perfect mix of the English and Spanish languages, with the purpose of introducing Spanish to young children. When Spanish is being used within this book, the illustrations provide an informational base for the reader, which allows the reader to infer what is being said. (For instance: Gato means cat, but the book does not say this. The book has provided an illustration in which the main character is talking to a cat who says "meow".) A captivating and mysterious book, where the main character is searching for his stuffed animal Bongo. But, where could Bongo be?! And... how did he get there? Read this awesome story to find out!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but it had so much more potential - I loved the family represented, but I wish there had been a little more bilingual dialogue for young readers to learn. I really liked the story itself, but it ended *so* abruptly. I liked the "glossary" in the back, but I thought the inclusion of congas was...strange? (Yes, I get that it was supposed to be a "what's the difference" explanation, but they were never mentioned in the story.)
Without reservation, though, I liked the illustrations - especially the facial expressions!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Afro-Latino can't find his Bongo, even though he distinctly remembers where it last was. Interactions with his family happen in Spanish, with the English translation following directly after, making this a great introduction to Spanish for English speakers. The text was a little inconsistent ("I ask my dad. But he is about to go out." compared to the next page, "I try to ask my mom, but she is too busy." Nitpicky? Possibly!) I loved the unveiling of whodunit at the end and the illustrations were exceptionally good.

[Nadiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for the littlest audience of readers, this book is actually a mystery. Where is Bongo? Have you seen him?

Looking for Bongo, written in Spanish and English is a who-dun-it for the tiniest of readers. Bongo is missing and our protagonist can’t watch tv with him. He looks everywhere!

This is a story of love and friendship. Everyone needs a true friend. I would certainly put this one on my classroom shelf as it may help others children feel better about needing their stuffed animal friends.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hunt for a missing toy involves checking in with every member of the family and searching all the house's nooks and crannies. I like the blend of Spanish into the questions and responses in this story featuring an Afro-Latino family. This book is so relatable, yet expands the universe of the reader through its bilingual conversations between characters and spotlight on the wonderful diversity of this family.

Oil paintings. Great read aloud for PreK-2.

[Lynn]

The young Afro-Latino boy has the best facial expressions and gestures as he asks members of his family where Bongo is. Young readers can predict who Bongo is and where he could be.
Looking for Bongo features a multiracial, extend family home. The book uses Spanish phrases throughout by the mother and “abuela”. A sweet tale for story-times and one-on-one sharing, for pre-school - 1st.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially appreciate the incorporation of Spanish text. Afro-Latina family (like the author/illustrator's own family).

Consider for storytime sharing -- a story most kids can relate to -- losing a stuffed animal friend, expressions and postures of the little boy & his family are excellent! and I think kids will especially appreciate the surprise ending.

[Ruth Quiroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the author/illustrator's family, wonderful illustrations--realistic, Afro-Caribbean, warm loving family. However, clunky text with immediate translation of characters' dialog (Spanish - English) that interferes with text meaning even for monolingual readers, not to mention bilingual readers for whom this totally disrupts the reading experience (quite annoying).

[Juliana Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The boy is looking for Bongo (stuffed dog) but no one in his family knows where Bongo is. He sometimes asks in spanish and is answered in spanish, sometimes in English. He finds his toy and goes to bed. After he falls asleep, his sister tries to take him and gets caught.

[Ruth Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young unnamed Afro-Latino boy is looking for his lost toy 'Bongo.' He asks everyone in the household, people and pets if they have seen Bongo. Of course no one has. He thinks Bongo is lost forever but then he finds him. A warm family story with a happy ending.

[Becket · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is pretty basic, but the illustrations are striking and warm (with a little bit of retro flair in the clothing styles?), and the portrayal of an Afro-Latino family feels lively and real. A solid addition to the "kid separated from comfort object" shelf.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a young boy asks all his family members where his bongo is? But nobody knows. The question and answers are repeated in Spanish! Where could it be and how did it get there? Cute ending. Simple enough for toddlers.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. a cute story, and I liked the ending. It seemed almost too simple though, but sometimes simple is nice. Simple but beautiful art, and simple but we'll chosen words. It was a good book.

I read this book because it was one of the CCBC's July 2016 Book Discussion books.

[Serina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved how this cute little boy with his afro looked. Appeal to kindergarten for simpleness and first grade for diversity. Wished that it didn't wait till last page to reveal who took his stuffed toy. For me it waited too long to hit the climax.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, pleasant family story about a young boy searching for his stuffed animal.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illus. weren't my cup of tea. However, I enjoyed the story of a black hispanic family, where a young boy who is looking for "Bongo."

[Toni]

Smart, fun, quick read. Beautiful illustrations! I loved seeing a biracial family represented for young readers.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful!!