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Nino Wrestles the World by Yuyi
Morales is one of a kind. It was published in 2013 and won the Pura Belpre Illustrator award for
2014. It celebrates the Spanish American heritage in an adorable children’s
story. This book is about Nino; the lucha libre mini-wrestler in his undies
that takes down all competition! The story begins on the inside of the front cover where
we are introduced to Nino's competitors. The energy of this book is loud and
proud! The coloring is bright with mostly shades of red, blue, and yellow.
I cannot express the level of
happiness I feel when I read this book. The energy is so positive and playful.
The book begins with Nino playing with his toys in his bedroom when suddenly,
the Nino wrestling show begins! Nino puts on his red mask and wrestles his
enemies until he wins. He always wins! That is, until his two little sisters
wake up and become his next competitors… to which he is no match! It is a sweet
ending to an even more adorable book. The “fight scenes” are reminiscent of
comic book style but even more fun! The book is filled with simple words in Spanish
and the hectic lucha libre wrestling madness that normally ensues.
On the last page, Morales explains lucha libre in more detail for the readers.
It was refreshing to read a book with Latino characters and Spanish! This book
is sure to be a hit with my second graders; especially the boys. You do not need to know anything about lucha libre wrestling to be a lover of this book. It will surely touch your heart! I am embarrassed to say I have not exposed my second graders to enough Latino/Latina literature. It is difficult to find! This book will now belong in my classroom library for all of my students to read. If you end up LOVING this book as much as myself and want more, check out Danielle Davis' blog for creative craft ideas that relate to the story. Enjoy!
The boys in my class would love this book. I am not sure how my Hispanic student would see it. She is quite the DIVA!
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