Wednesday, September 12, 2012

REFORMA Review: Pepita on Pepper Street

Pepita on Pepper Street/Pepita en la calle Pepper
By Ofelia Dumas Lachtman illustrated by Alex Pardo DeLange
Piñata Books, 2008. Unpaged. $15.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-1-55885-443-7. 
Grades K-3. 
Bilingual.

In this latest book in the Pepita series, our young protagonist finds her new neighborhood extremely dissatisfying. A few of her neighbors attempt to be friendly to the girl but she rudely dismisses each of them. Her parents encourage her to embrace her new surroundings and seek friendships. Pepita refuses and has “huffy” altercations with her neighbors. Eventually she meets a girl her age and, in a trite ending, becomes her friend. The overall negative and didactic tone of the book is somewhat balanced by bright, cartoon illustrations. However, children seeking a book to help them transition after a new move will be better served elsewhere.

Not recommended.


Naidoo, J. C. (2009). Pepita on Pepper Street/Pepita en la calle Pepper. Written by Ofelia Dumas Lachtman. Illus. by Alex Pardo DeLange. REFORMA Newsletter, 27 (1/2), 24.

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