Rafi and Rosi Music!

by Lulu Delacre, Lulu Delacre (Illustrator)

Overview

In this fourth chapter book starring Rafi and Rosi, the curious, fun-loving tree frog siblings explore the bomba, plena, and salsa music traditions of their home island, Puerto Rico.

In this new book in the popular Dive Into Reading: Rafi and Rosi chapter book series, Rafi and his younger sister, Rosi, are excited to learn about and participate in the traditional forms of music of their native Puerto Rico. They drum and dance to the rolling and rippling beats of bomba instruments. They sing and sway with the rhythms of plena songs. And they atten...arty where they eat paella and warm corn fritters and dance to the hot, spicy beat of la salsa!

Engaging and informative, the book is perfect for independent readers in grades 1 and 2. Children will enjoy joining Rafi and Rosi on their new adventures while they learn about Puerto Rico's musical traditions and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780892394319
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Series:	Rafi and Rosi
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	646,799
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lulu Delacre is a bilingual author and New York Times Bestselling illustrator of children's books. Winner of several Pura Belpré Award Honors and an Orbis Pictus Honor, Delacre was a juror for the 2003 National Book Awards. A native of Puerto Rico, Delacre lives with her husband in Silver Spring, Maryland. For more information, visit luludelacre.com.

Lulu Delacre is a bilingual author and New York Times Bestselling illustrator of children's books. Winner of several Pura Belpré Award Honors and an Orbis Pictus Honor, Delacre was a juror for the 2003 National Book Awards. A native of Puerto Rico, Delacre lives with her husband in Silver Spring, Maryland. For more information, visit luludelacre.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/16/2019

Gr 1–3-Two anthropomorphic tree frog siblings, Rafi and Rosi, explore their surroundings and learn about the traditions of their culture. This easy reader set in Puerto Rico begins with a glossary of Spanish words, followed by three short stories in which the frogs learn about three musical styles: bomba, plena, and salsa. In the first story, Rosi learns to dance bomba with the help of a mound of fire ants. In Plena Blues, Rafi is grateful to Rosi for helping him realize that pesky, younger siblings aren't always so bad to have around. In the last story, plenty of musical terms are introduced as Rosi and Rafi learn about the origins of salsa. Lively illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil adorn the pages. Also included is a hearty introduction into the different musical styles. VERDICT Ideal for early fluent readers. Educators may want to pair with music to help youngsters understand the various styles.-Martha Rico, Yselta ISD, TX

School Library Journal

0

From the Publisher

2019-07-28
The fourth installment in Delacre's early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.

Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi's relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi's help even though he initially excluded her: "Big brothers only." Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author's sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers' learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one's own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions ("pa'bajo-pa-pa'rriba") and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.

A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews