Seven-year-old Dario is excited about his brother’s upcoming fifth birthday. He can’t wait for the party, and imagines one similar to his own with lots of friends and presents.
So he’s surprised when Ariel requests a simple celebration at the park eating bean and cheese tacos and blowing bubbles. “But, Ariel,” he asks, “don’t you want to go somewhere special on your birthday?” It doesn’t seem like a party to Dario without video games and pizza!
On Ariel’s birthday, the boys are happy to go to the park rather than their usual after-school program. The day is full of surprises, from Ariel’s birthday present—a remote-control sailboat they enjoy playing with at the pond—to an empty playground and even a kind park ranger who offers a tour in his Jeep. Who would have thought an afternoon at the park with family and bean and cheese tacos could be so much fun?
Kids will begin eagerly planning their own birthday celebrations after reading this engaging book by acclaimed children’s book author Diane Gonzales Bertrand. She once again entertains young readers ages 4 to 8 with a sweet story about the joys of time spent with family and the surprises that come from making assumptions.
“Darío is excited for his younger brother Ariel’s upcoming birthday. He can’t believe it when Ariel decides that all he wants is to eat bean and cheese tacos with his family in the park. How disappointing! But when the day arrives, Darío begins to see and feel how the little things make the day truly special for Ariel. Mom and Dad (Mamá and Papá in the parallel Spanish translation) pick the boys up from school together. The park is nearly empty, and they have the playground to themselves. The simple bean and cheese tacos are delicious.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A sweet story about the joys of time spent with family and the surprise that comes from making assumptions.”—Publishers Weekly
“A Bean and Cheese Taco Birthday is brimming with understated lessons on selflessness, family values and sharing.”—East Bay Express
DIANE GONZALES BERTRAND is the author of numerous books for children and young adults, including Cecilia and Miguel Are Best Friends / Cecilia y Miguel son mejores amigos (Piñata Books, 2014); There’s a Name for This Feeling: Stories / Hay un nombre para lo que siento (Piñata Books, 2014); The Empanadas that Abuela Made / Las empanadas que hacía la abuela (Piñata Books, 2003); and Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup / Caldo, caldo, caldo (Piñata Books, 1997). A native of San Antonio, Texas, she teaches writing at St. Mary’s University where she is Writer in Residence.
Click here to listen to an interview with Diane Gonzales Bertrand about A Bean and Cheese Taco Birthday/Un cumpleaños con tacos de frijoles con queso.
ROBERT TRUJILLO wrote, illustrated and self-published his own story, Furqan’s First Flat Top. He was born and raised in Oakland, California, where he continues to live and work.
GABRIELA BAEZA VENTURA is an associate professor of Spanish at the University of Houston. She has translated numerous children’s books, including Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia (Arte Público Press, 2014), There’s a Name for this Feeling: Stories / Hay un nombre para lo que siento: Cuentos (2014), Adelita and the Veggie Cousins / Adelita y las primas verduritas (2011) and Remembering Grandma / Recordando a Abuela (2003).
Learn more by visiting her faculty page.
ATOS Interest Level: Lower Grades
Category: Picture Book
ATOS English: 2.9
ATOS Spanish: 2.8
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 177324
