Review by School Library Journal Review
Toddler-PreS--This adorable board book series teaches toddlers new concepts through the stylings of Latin American music. The cherubic characters take dance lessons while learning manners, counting, and instrument sounds. Cumbia addresses manners, including please and thank you, but most importantly how to respect others' boundaries and asking/giving consent. Merengue introduces kids to the sounds of the different instruments most commonly played in that genre. "The güira slides kish-kish-kish. The accordion stretches wah-wee-wah." The onomatopoeia would make for a fun (and cacophonous) story time. Salsa counts its way through a Latin dance class all the way to performance day when 10 outfits twirl around the stage. The bilingual text is simple without losing its rhythm, and sweet and colorful illustrations will grab young readers' attention. Kids are given instructions on the right dance moves for the featured music genre, and an image of dance shoes making the correct footsteps are also shown. The instructions are repeated throughout to give burgeoning dancers an opportunity to practice their newfound skills. The little dancers are racially diverse, and there is one wheelchair user and a boy with vitiligo in Salsa. VERDICT These volumes have so many uses, but even more fun, they're perfect for a dance party!--Shelley M. Diaz
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