“Today is my birthday, and I am so excited. / One piñata filled with candy. / Two hours until the party. / Three tables set for all of the guests.” Mateo counts to twelve as he anticipates the fun he’ll have at his party!
There will be family, friends and lots of goodies for the children: tops, marbles and even toy cars! But before the children can hit the piñata, they will sing the birthday boy a song and enjoy eating a delicious cake. And then Mateo will be “the happiest boy in the whole wide world,” because he gets to swing at the piñata first with everyone cheering him on: ¡Dale! ¡Dale! ¡Dale!
Acclaimed kids’ book author René Saldaña, Jr. creates another winner with his first picture book, illustrated in vibrant colors by Carolyn Dee Flores, for children ages 4-8. In this birthday-themed counting book, children will relish practicing their counting skills while dreaming about hitting a piñata at their very own fun-filled fiesta.
Click here to listen to an interview with Carolyn Dee Flores, illustrator of Dale, dale, dale: Una fiesta de números / Hit It, Hit It, Hit It: A Fiesta of Numbers.
Named to the 2015-2016 Tejas Star Reading List
Named to Latinas4LatinoLit.org’s Remarkable Latino Children’s Literature of 2014 List
Finalist for the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award in 2014
“Mateo’s birthday is full of excitement, family and many things to count in English and Spanish. With minimal bilingual text, readers count along throughout Mateo’s birthday fiesta. The full-spread illustrations capture Mateo’s enthusiasm and the work his family has put into preparing such a lively party. While many of the illustrations are photorealistic, others are more playful. A contemporary and festive Latino birthday celebration.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In this birthday party counting book, simple text and colorful art carry the day. The illustrations are an interesting mix of drawings with colored-added photography. The protagonist is the birthday boy, and it is a very Latino-inspired celebration, counting items such as trompos, burbujas, canicas, y primos (tops, bubbles, marbles, and cousins). This book would make a good supplemental purchase for libraries serving Latino communities or those with users learning about Latino customs and celebrations.”—School Library Journal
“A small page turner for a young audience…The author incorporates a Latino themed birthday such as piñatas, la lucha libre masks, and other items to get young readers into a party mood…The pictures excellently capture the essence of the story in an artistic manner. A great book to have in a school setting as it is bilingual and makes it entertaining for all readers.”—TheLatinoAuthor.com
“Dale, dale, dale is a counting book with a birthday setting. The illustrations are bright and engaging. Another plus is that the book is completely bilingual. It’s sure to bring smiles.”—Reading Through Life
RENÉ SALDAÑA, JR. is the author of the Mickey Rangel Mystery series, including The Mystery of the Mischievous Marker / El misterio del malvado marcador (Piñata Books, 2013), The Lemon Tree Caper / La intriga del limonero (Piñata Books, 2011) and The Case of the Pen Gone Missing / El caso de la pluma perdida (Piñata Books, 2009). His books for teens include A Good Long Way (Piñata Books, 2010), The Whole Sky Full of Stars (Random House, 2007) and The Jumping Tree (Delacorte, 2001). He lives in Lubbock, Texas, where he teaches in the College of Education at Texas Tech University.
CAROLYN DEE FLORES is the illustrator of Canta, rana, canta / Sing, Froggie, Sing (Piñata Books, 2013). A graduate of Trinity University, she is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives and works in San Antonio, Texas.
Learn more at carolynflores.com.
ATOS Interest Level: Lower Grades
Category: Picture Book
ATOS English: 2.6
ATOS Spanish: 1.8
LEXILE: 480L
LEXILE SPANISH: 400L
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 166958
Teaching Guide Here
