Available:*
Library | Material Type | Item Barcode | Shelf Number | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library | Juvenile Picture Book Hardback | 120791001064348 | J P SOT | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
Chato, the coolest cat in el barrio, loves to party--but not his best buddy, Novio Boy. Birthday parties always make him blue. "I'm from the pound," he tells Chato. "I don't know when I was born. I never knew my mami. I never even had a birthday party, or nothing."So Chato plans the coolest surprise party for Novio Boy, inviting all of el barrio, and cooking up a storm. But he forgets the most important thing--inviting Novio Boy! Luckily, just as everyone starts remembering all the things they used to love about their long-lost friend, the birthday boy arrives with his own surprise--himself! In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called Chato's Kitchen "Wickedly funny...Guevara's cats are delicious send-ups of barrio characters, and Soto's words glisten with wit. Salud to this magical pairing of talents."
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-In this sequel to Chato's Kitchen (Putnam, 1995), the ebullient, jazzy, party-loving homecat decides to throw a surprise birthday bash for his best friend, Novio Boy, who was raised in the pound and has never had a party. Buying the provisions, inviting his friends, decorating, arranging for music-Chato thinks he has seen to everything. The guests begin to arrive and one dog raises a crucial question: "Where's the birthday cat?" Aghast, Chato realizes that he neglected to invite Novio Boy and organizes a search, which proves fruitless. The party turns wake as, certain that Novio Boy has met an untimely end, all the animals remember his good qualities and grieve. In the midst of this, who should turn up but the guest of honor with some new friends in tow. With double reason to celebrate, the party is a wild success. Rollicking language-a completely integrated and poetic combination of barrio slang, Spanish, and colloquial English-carries the story along. Guevara's lively acrylic-on-scratchboard illustrations have a verve and style that will make readers long to join the fun. A glossary of Spanish words preceding the text neatly removes any mystery, rendering this joyous celebration of friendship not only understandable but irresistible.-Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Last seen in Chato's Kitchen, Chato the cat here learns that his best friend has never had a birthday party. Chato plans a pachanga [party] that would be absolutely lo mejor [the best]-if only he had remembered to invite the guest of honor. Ages 4-up. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Chato and Novio Boy, those two cool cats from [cf2]Chato's Kitchen,[cf1] are back for another adventure in [cf2]el barrio.[cf1] Chato decides to throw a [cf2]pachanga[cf1] for his pal but forgets to invite the birthday cat. The lively text, sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, is well matched by the energetic art filled with details that help establish the setting and extend the humor. Glos. From HORN BOOK Spring 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Chato, Novio Boy, Chorizo, and the mouse family next door in the animal barrio of Chato's Kitchen (1995) are back. This time, Chato throws a surprise birthday party to help cheer up Novio Boy, who tearfully confesses that he grew up in a pound and has never been given a party. Chato's oversight is that he forgets to invite his carnal (brother). But all ends well, and the pachanga (festive party) lasted until the sun went down, the moon came up, and the neighbors started throwing shoes at them to stop the racket." Spanish words sprinkled throughout the text are defined in a glossary that precedes the story. Guevara's rich acrylic-on-scratchboard paintings steal the show, bringing to life the vibrant neighborhood, two rollicking parties, the mercado (market) where Chato shops, and the personalities of the main characters. While Novio Boy has never known his mother, a cat in a red dress, with breasts, a golden halo, and white wings appears as his guardian angel throughout. And when Novio Boy acknowledges the revelers as mi familia (my family), he is holding a Mexican tree of life that pictures all his friends. Guevara's art spreads across and bleeds off the double pages with humor, action, and a pleasing variety of perspectives. Here is a party that all will enjoy. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. Chato, the cool cat of the barrio first seen in the acclaimed Chato's Kitchen (1995), is back with his cast of party-loving animal friends in a sweet, melancholy friendship story. Chato's buddy Novio Boy is feeling down because he's never celebrated his birthday; he's from the pound and doesn't know when he was born. "Pobrecito. Everybody needs a birthday party," says Chato, and he organizes a party for his friend. The animals come together, but Novio Boy never arrives--Chato forgot to invite the guest of honor. After a fruitless search for Novio Boy, the animals regroup, worried and fearful, imagining the worst for their friend--who happily appears at the last minute, fresh from dumpster diving. The party lasts far into the night with presents and a catfish pinata. Soto's story, both edgy and warm, spills over with feline wordplay kids will love ("home cat," for example), which Guevera expands on in her glorious, detailed paintings. Startlingly expressive animals, symbols of Latino culture, and winged-cat angels form dynamic, wild compositions that children will pore over up close and enjoy from a distance. Perfect for story hours. The introductory glossary is a fine bonus. --Gillian Engberg