Salsa Lullaby

August 1, 2019
It's bedtime, and Baby isn't having it. What's a parent to do? No problem--just dial up some hip-swaying, foot-moving salsa music! In the kitchen, Mami kicks up her heels with the baby bottle while Papi dances his giggling infant across the living room floor. The exuberant family dog joins in the fun as Papi spins Mami around. Finally, the baby cuddles in Mami's arms as the dance slows. The salsa lullaby soothes as the baby's parents tuck their tot in with a stuffed toy. While both child and doggy friend drift off to sleep, they continue following the salsa beat in their dreams. Unfortunately, Arena's mostly English four-line verses fail to conjure salsa's infectious beat and bobble a bit in one stanza: "Mami glides across the floor. / Papi sets the pace. / Baby sings la la la, / makes a silly face." There are only seven Spanish words (not counting "Mami" or "Papi") in the entire book--one per each two-line, nonrhyming refrain. "Baila, baby, baila. / Dance, dance, dance." The phrase "Buenas noches" is paired with "Good night!" outside the preceding pattern and rhyme. Meza's characters present as a loving Latinx family but appear to be dancing swing rather than salsa. A retro boombox is the source of the swirling musical notes and floral designs that also fail to evoke salsa's spicy tempo. Maurie J. Manning's Kitchen Dance (2008) is a more authentic choice. A slight effort with minimal cultural references. (Picture book. 3-5)

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September 23, 2019
Frolicsome fun abounds in a family of three as they prepare for baby’s bedtime: “Mami starts a salsa song./ Papi keeps the beat.” As the trio bounces and leaps across the pages, a stereo emits a stream of music notes and bold-colored shapes implying lively meter. Meza’s illustrations vibrate with movement—Mami’s hair and skirt perpetually swirl around her, and a shaggy dog joins in, bounding. As the mood turns drowsy, softening into snuggles and sleep, the music follows the baby into dreamland. Arena’s rhyming ditty matches the tempo of the visuals and interweaves Spanish words (“Duerme, baby, duerme./ Sleep, sleep, sleep”). Though the verse can sometimes feel forced (“Mami glides across the floor./ Papi sets the pace./ Baby sings la la la,/ Makes a silly face”), lively pacing and rhythm alongside sweet images creates an enjoyable bedtime boogie. A glossary of some Spanish words used is included. Ages 3–7.

October 1, 2019

Toddler-PreS-A sweet book and engaging bedtime story. Mami and Papi turn up the salsa lullaby music and get baby dancing, singing, and jumping. Even the family dog joins in on the fun. After a bit, baby gets sleepy and the lights are turned down low. Soft music plays in the background and baby falls asleep, dreaming of happy times. Spanish words are interspersed throughout the story. The artist's rendering of the characters falls in line with the rhythmic beat of the text. Mami's wild hair and colorful music notes float across the pages, bringing readers into the action. A brief glossary is included. VERDICT Sure to be a hit during storytime and at bedtime as well. Pair with Karen Beaumont's Baby Danced the Polka for more dancing adventures with toddlers.-Martha Rico, Yselta ISD, TX

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