Huevos Rancheros: A Mexican Tale. Stefan Czernecki. Vancouver, BC: Tradewind Books, 2001. 32 pp., cloth, $22.95. ISBN 1-896580-23-8. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 3-8. Review by Regina Bandong. *** /4

excerpt:

Marcelina lived in a small cage on the balcony of Senor Raul's cantina in Mexico City. Every day she would lay eggs and Senor Raul would turn them into delicious huevos rancheros for his customers. Senor Raul loved to sing. Every night he would serenade Marcelina with his sweet songs. Every night Marcelina would dream of the day when she would not live in a cage.

Huevos Rancheros is a Mexican folktale about a hen named Marcelina who yearns to flee her prison. When Senor Raul, her master, forgets to lock her cage one day, she escapes to Coyotepec, a town much in need of a hen's service. Instead of a life of freedom, Marcelina finds herself imprisoned once again to keep her from being eaten by the hungry Coyote. But Marcelina is no ordinary hen. With feathers unruffled, she concocts an ingenious plan to outwit the Coyote which, in the end, saves a whole lot more.

     Retold by renowned storyteller and illustrator, Stefan Czernecki, Huevos Rancheros touches people of all ages. Many could feast their eyes on Czernecki's use of bold colours, reminiscent of the Mexican landscape and, at the same time, eat the result of a delicious recipe of Huevos Rancheros which is included at the book’s conclusion. Adults can also appreciate this universal truth: character is built by how people react to challenges. Marcelina is a fine example of this truth in action. Whether readers are young or old, Marcelina is one unforgettable character that many will continue to love in years to come.

Recommended.

Living near Vancouver, BC, Regina Bandong is an entrepreneur and a freelance writer.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - January 21, 2005.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME