Module 5: Chato and the Party Animals

Book Summary:

Chato and the Party Animals is cute story about a friend trying to make another friend feel better about who he is and where he comes from. Novio Boy has never had a Birthday party, so to cheer him up Chato throws him a party. At the party Chato keeps wondering where Novio Boy is and realizes that he forgot to invite him. He looks for him everywhere, and when he can't find him he is convinced that Novio Boy has met a tragic end. When he is remembering  and honoring Novio Boy, he shows up and that's when the party really starts.

Book Citation:

Soto, G., & Guevara, S. (2000). Chato and the party animals. New YOrk: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Impressions:
I love this book!!! Some think that this book is stereotypical to the Latino culture but not to me. This book reminds me of my culture, of where I am from, and how I grew up. I also love the illustrations. The art work is bright yet dark at the same time. I love the brush technique used and the many different colors.

Reviews:

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this sequel to Chato's Kitchen (Putnam, 1995), the ebullient, jazzy, party-loving homecat decides to throw a surprise birthday bash for his best friend, Novio Boy, who was raised in the pound and has never had a party. Buying the provisions, inviting his friends, decorating, arranging for music-Chato thinks he has seen to everything. The guests begin to arrive and one dog raises a crucial question: "Where's the birthday cat?" Aghast, Chato realizes that he neglected to invite Novio Boy and organizes a search, which proves fruitless. The party turns wake as, certain that Novio Boy has met an untimely end, all the animals remember his good qualities and grieve. In the midst of this, who should turn up but the guest of honor with some new friends in tow. With double reason to celebrate, the party is a wild success. Rollicking language-a completely integrated and poetic combination of barrio slang, Spanish, and colloquial English-carries the story along. Guevara's lively acrylic-on-scratchboard illustrations have a verve and style that will make readers long to join the fun. A glossary of Spanish words preceding the text neatly removes any mystery, rendering this joyous celebration of friendship not only understandable but irresistible.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Welton, A. (2000). Chato and the Party Animals. School Library Journal, 46(7), 88.

Library Uses:
This book can be used to introduce the illustrator and his job. illustrations and art work in books are done differently. Not all illustrations are the same, and not all illustrators use the same techniques or mediums. You can also use this book to teach about charactor analysis.