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Awards/Reviews/Readers Comments
Georgia State Reading Association Recommended Reading List
Univision's Depierta America Book of the Month
Golden Spur Award 2005-06 Nominee, Texas Reading Association
Legacy Book Award - 2005 Children's Finalist
Georgia State Reading Association Recommended Reading List
Isabel and the Hungry Coyote / Isabel y el coyote hambriento was featured on a segment of Despierta Leyendo on Univision's, Despierta America, the most watched Hispanic TV program in the USA!
“This is a wonderful bilingual picture book of a Southwest adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood.
In this case, Mr. Coyote, is foiled not by a hunter or a woodsman, but by Red herself, who feeds
him very hot chili peppers. Throughout the story, Spanish words are inserted, which match words
in a glossary in the back. All in all, this is a cute story, cute pictures, and an effective
teaching approach. We rated it five hearts.”
Heartland Reviews
“Nicely done and easily understood. This is a clever and delightful take-off from the original
Little Red Riding Hood sprinkled with a southwest twist. Cuentos y leyendas of today. …In
Isabel and the Hungry Coyote, stunning southwest graphics help bring back this tale of old
with a bit of spice, reflecting the richness and diversity of Hispanic culture. …Easily understood
by even the youngest reader and listener. Included is a vocabulary both in Spanish and English,
which teachers and parents will find useful.”
Betsie's Literary Page
"Isabel and the Hungry Coyote is basically a retelling of the classic Little Red
Riding Hood but set in a southwestern desert or Mexican desert scene…a child
can learn a handful of Spanish words by their context within the story. Once a
Spanish word is introduced it is continued throughout the remainder of the book.
Isabel and the Hungry Coyote is a wonderful read and a recommended book for
introducing children to the Latin American Spanish language.”
Harold McFarland, editor, Readers Preference Reviews
“Isabel and the Hungry Coyote/Isabel y el coyote hambriento is a cute story,
but the real charm is in the local color. Look for all the Mexican and southwestern
wildlife in the pictures — horned toad, roadrunner, cacti, Yucca — all surprisingly
recognizable in the stylized artwork. The blend of English and Spanish is
entertaining too. This book is best for bilingual children or English speakers
learning Spanish. Muy bueno!”
Fearless Reviews
“An adorable version to the classic Little Red Riding Hood story…At reading level 3.5 and
as an Accelerated Reader® picture book, this story [Isabel and the Hungry Coyote] would make
a fine inclusion to a second or third grade teacher's lesson plans. The adorable hand-drawn
full-color illustrations by Esther Szegedy brought the pages and the text to life…readers
will find a helpful glossary for those who want specific words translated…[this reviewer]
highly recommends it for children ages 5-10.”
Jennifer LB Leese
“I have never seen a better coyote-just the right combination of
mischieveousness and danger-created in the bright colors of the southwest with
the graininess of chalk that speaks of deserts and sand.”
James Rumford, author/illustrator, Calabash Cat (Houghton Mifflin, 2003),
The Island-below-the-Sea (Houghton Mifflin, 1998)
“Taking the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and turning it into a Spanish version was cleverly
done by Keith Polette… A funny story that will have kids learning Spanish words by the end of
the book … The drawings are equally adorable.”
Book Review Café
“I found it [Isabel and the Hungry Coyote / Isabel y el coyote hambriento] a delightful read! The clever
manner in which the author integrated the Spanish vocabulary into the story is perfect. Just the right
amount of repetition and executed in such a “real-life” conversational way that the reader is not even
aware of this repetition… a truly excellent predictable book for the beginning reader. The art is a
wonderful compliment to the story. It is both hilarious and educational. That is, each page will help
the beginning reader to “read” the story. I will have to admit that my favorite page is the coyote trying
on Grandma’s dress. Szegedy hit it right on!”
Jerry J. Mallett, Ed.D., Director, Mazza Museum (International Art from Picture Books©),
Professor of Education, The University of Findlay
“The children’s tale of Little Red Riding Hood is given a Hispanic twist, with Isabel
as Red Riding Hood complete with a red hood. …“Picking flores [flowers], the girl
in the red hood sang softly.” “This caperuza roja [red hood] keeps the sun from
my face,” Isabel tells the coyote. The Spanish terms are defined in the glossary
at the end of the tale. In keeping with its Hispanic twist, Isabel escapes from the
malevolent coyote by pouring the basket of tamales and chile sauce she is
carrying to her grandmother’s into his mouth as he opens it wide to seize her…”
Midwest Book Review
“… The narrative is very dramatic and would lend itself well to reading aloud and to creative dramatics.
The illustrations are bright and humorous, with lovely Southwestern colors—yellows, beiges, brown, aquas
and purples—with a grainy texture that resembles sand paintings. Lovely designs frame the text. Coyote
is a disreputable looking sort and Isabel is a little cutie. Much desert flora and fauna appear in the
illustrations…I found this to be a delightful story and a treat for the eyes and Isabel is a fine example
of a very resourceful young lady. Recommended for grades 1 to 3, younger for reading aloud.”
J’Ann Peacock Alvarado,Irving Public Library, TX
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