The Littlest Grito

September 13, 2024

Gr 1-3-A celebration of Mexican Independence Day provides the backdrop for a young girl's cultural coming-of-age. Gloria, a gangly young girl of Mexican heritage, welcomes the morning with excitement. Today is September 16-diez y seis de septiembre, Mexican Independence Day. Her father usually launches the festival with the traditional grito, a loud and celebratory shout. But today he wakes up ill and has lost his voice. Can Gloria overcome her shyness and performance anxiety to assume the role of her father? The story contains two positive plots. The first is a message of pride in one's cultural heritage and traditions. The second is a "passing of the torch" moment between a father and daughter. A vibrant palette highlights the festival feel as well as the natural beauty of the desert. There's a missed opportunity for bilingual learning, as the text contains no direct translation of Spanish dialogue, and the font is overly small. VERDICT This tasteful addressing of an underrepresented holiday warrants a recommended purchase.-Jessica Bushore

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2024
A young girl makes herself heard on Mexican Independence Day. Gloria awakens, excited about the celebrations ahead. On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla shouted a grito (a combination of a laugh and a yell), spurring the Mexican War for Independence against Spain. Every year since, members of her family have shouted a grito to mark Mexican Independence Day. But this year, Gloria's father is sick; he's lost his voice and can't shout the grito. Gloria makes Papa some tea, but the village doesn't have time to wait for him to get better. Gloria has another idea: She'll do it herself. Despite the mayor's reservations ("You are a child!" "But she's a girl!"), Papa supports Gloria, and that's all that matters. Gloria decides to practice. It isn't easy, and her first attempts attract strange looks from the villagers. The baker offers her a tortilla with honey and some affirming words, but it isn't until Gloria has a heart-to-heart with Papa that she learns the true meaning of the grito--and summons the strength to let loose "the loudest, most joyful grito she could." Relying on pastel colors and dramatic use of perspective, Mart�nez's illustrations adeptly chronicle Gloria's trajectory from uncertainty to satisfying triumph. The youngster exudes moxie at each step of the way; this is a joyful celebration of Mexican culture and independence and of family, community, and self. A heartening tale of finding one's voice--and summoning the courage to raise it.(Picture book. 4-8)

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