Top
Even the Dead Get Up for Milk / Hasta los muertos se levantan por leche is a five-for-one: It includes an adventure story with family values and themes. It is bilingual which entertains English and/or Spanish readers. It contains discussion questions for parents and teachers to help children understand their fear of the dark. It offers suggestions to children on how to overcome this fear. Finally, it includes vocabulary in both English and Spanish for readers in either language.
Don't let the ghostly title, Even the Dead Get Up for Milk / Hasta los muertos se levantan por leche, scare you away from reading this children's, bilingual story written for third through fifth graders. This original book tells of a young boy whose family has moved to a new town. Now he must sleep in an old, vacant, funeral home because his parents could not find any other place in town to rent. He sees ghosts at bedtime that no one else can see, but he recalls his father's courage and says to himself bravely, "I am my father's son." The catchy title takes on meaning when the young boy sees these nightly visitors drinking friendly cups of warm milk together in the kitchen. At the end of the story, the young boy understands and overcomes his fear of the dark and these nightly visitors.
This story is told in narrative verse and is translated into Spanish. The English and Spanish stanzas appear on the same page, and the verses introduce the young readers to poetry. The Spanish has been read and approved by bilingual, native Latino professionals: educators, a priest, and librarians.
Additionally, the story is illustrated with John Goomas's child-like, post-modern, pen and ink drawings. These illustrations draw the reader into the story. They stress the importance of family and tradition as the parents offer comfort to their children in this strange, new home.
Please visit www.astakospublishing.com for additional reviews and librarians' comments.
