Gr 3-5-In this well-written first-person narrative, two brothers share the delight of having a small lamb as a household pet. After a series of funny and endearing adventures, the author turns the plot in a more serious direction. The lamb falls off the roof of the house while frolicking with the children. Despite a brief attempt to save the animal through wish-fulfillment (by imagining it was an abeja, a bee, instead of an oveja, or lamb, so that it could fly away instead of plunge) the pet dies. What follows is a poignant burial ceremony orchestrated by the children. Delicado (El Tren, Loguez Editores, 2000) captures the somber mood of this scene beautifully in a two-page spread. The watercolor drawings are full of visual cues and bear some of the same icons with which the artist's fans have become familiar (snakelike hanging plants, bird cages, people in windows, characters in 1930s garb, etc.). This is a wonderful book, appropriate for schools, public libraries, and bookstores. M.O.B. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
