Just in case by Yuyi Morales

This book by Yuyi Morales is a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book that has won the Pura Belpre Honor Book award and the Pura Belpre Award. This colorfully illustrated book is about Senor Calavera and Zelmiro the Ghost finding the perfect presents to give Grandma Beetle for her birthday. Zelmiro keeps suggesting different presents to Senor Calavera making him later and later for the party. When he is finally ready to head to the party, him and all his presents fall off his bike because Zelmiro trips him. Senor Calavera was very sad and was not sure what to get Grandma Beetle now, but after thinking he realizes the present she would love the most is Grandpa Zelmiro.

We believe this book is authentic because not only does Yuyi Morales bring her own authentic piece to her literature being from Mexico, but the way she incorporates Spanish words throughout the story allow the reader to learn Spanish words and the Spanish alphabet. This book is ideal for students in K-3 who will be engaged in helping Senor Calavera deciding that he needs un acordeon, "an accordion for her to dance," and vainilla, "a fragrant vanilla pod." We also believe this book is authentic because it is based around a holiday still celebrated today called the Day of the Dead where people wear skull masks to honor their ancestors and those who have passed.

A pre-reading activity we thought that would be beneficial would be discussing the illustration on the front of skeleton Senor Calavera riding his bike. He is the skeleton from the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos. Giving a little history lesson on what the Day of the Dead is and when it is celebrated will help give prior knowledge to what occurs in the story. A during reading activity would be to write down Spanish alphabet as it appears in the story so it can be compared to our own alphabet after reading. Another during reading activity could be to say the words of the presents that Senor Calavera wants to get Grandma Beetle. An after reading activity would be to take the Spanish alphabet, written down while reading and compare and contrast it to our alphabet. Another after reading activity could be to have students create their own lists of presents to buy using either the Spanish or English alphabet.