Analysis of JUST A MINUTE by Yuyi Morales-Course Requirement

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Morales, Yuyi. 2003. JUST A MINUTE : A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK.  San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-3578-0.

PLOT SUMMARY
In this tale,  the character, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle's door. He is ready to take her to the next life. After helping her count in English and Spanish as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind and leaves only a note.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The rich colors of fall and southwester art detail the illustrations of this book. The jolly grandmother walks skeletal Senor Calavera through her chores as she puts off his goal of taking her to the next life. The cultural aspects of the Day of the Dead holiday and the folktales about death as a person are represented in this book. The font makes this book easy to read and readers are made aware of the bilingual counting lesson embedded in this lively story. Beautiful family and home scenes are vibrantly painted with acrylic strokes of lively color. The readers are taken through the traditions of Mexican culture as Grandma Beetle outwits and charms Senor Calavera into leaving her with her family.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

BOOKLIST starred review: "What's an old woman to do when a skeleton pays her a birthday visit and beckons her to "come along"? Grandma Beetle, the heroine of this joyful book by the illustrator of Harvesting Hope [BKL Je 1 & 15 03], stalls for time. "Just a minute," she says; there's something she needs to do. One chore leads to another, but the skeleton can't mask his enthusiasm as Grandma cooks, fills pinatas, and performs other tasks, each one linked to a number from 1 to 10, uno to diez. Eventually nueve grandchildren arrive for Grandma's birthday party, and guess who else is invited? Even if children don't grasp the implications of the skeleton's visit, they'll enjoy seeing him join the fun, and when he extends Grandma's lease on life, the relieved, loving embrace she gives her grandchildren will satisfy young ones at a gut level. Like the text, the rich, lively artwork draws strongly upon Mexican culture, with hints of Diego Rivera in Grandma's robust form, and the skeleton resembling the whimsical figurines often seen in Day of the Dead folk art. The splendid paintings and spirited storytelling--along with useful math and multicultural elements--augur a long, full life for this original folktale."

KIRKUS starred review: "Winking and nodding as she goes, a Latino grandmother will charm readers as she charms Death Himself in this original counting-cum-trickster tale. When skeletal Senor Calavera appears at the door, Grandma Beetle bids him wait while she sweeps ONE house ('UNO'), makes TWO pots of tea ('DOS'), grinds THREE pounds of corn for tortillas ('TRES'), and so on, culminating in a festive birthday party at which Senor Calavera finds himself guest number TEN ('DIEZ'). As Grandma, round and brown, with sparkles in her eyes and gray hair both, bustles about, the expression on Senor Calavera's sugar-skull face grows more and more hilariously impatient -- but by party's end, he's departed, leaving a thank-you note promising to be back for Grandma Beetle's next birthday. Lit with dancing lines and warm colors, Morales' illustrations enhance the appeal of this winning story even further."

Pura Belpre Medal Book Illustrator Award
Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award 2004

CONNECTIONS
I plan to share this book with my students, to introduce Dia de los Muertos and the cultural heritage tied to this holiday. An activity rich website for this book can be found at http://www.latinbabybookclub.com/2008/10/just-minute-trickster-tale-and-counting.html.