What Can You Do with a Paleta?

May 15, 2009
Preschool-G When the tinkly bell sounds in the barrio, children race to the paleta wagon for the cool sweet Popsicle-like treat. Posing the title question, the poet suggests playful, far-fetched, thoughtful, and practical ideas, concluding the very best thing to do with a paleta is to lick it, and slurp it, and sip it and munch it and gobble it all down. Acrylic illustrations portray stylized doll-like human figures in a barrio that simmers in hot shades of orange, red, and yellow. In contrast, the cool paleta colors seem especially enticing. An appealing introduction to a yummy aspect of Latino culture. Pair this with the authors earlier What Can You Do with a Rebozo? (2008) or with Yuyi Morales Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book (2003).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)