Emerald Lizard

by Pleasant DeSpain

Book Overview

Bank Street College: Best Children's Books of the Year & Parent's Guide to Children's Media Young Adults' Choice Award

Latin America today presents a complex tapestry of native, Spanish, European, and African influences. For the past three decades, Pleasant DeSpain has explored Latin America - its landscapes, customs, cultures, and especially, its stories. Here he presents his finely-honed retellings of traditional...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874835526
• ISBN13: 9780874835526
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 8 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 3 and higher

Customer Reviews

Relearn Spanish with enjoyment

I read these stories when seeking a painless way to brush up my Spanish, after quickly getting totally bored with online "Spanish for tourists" programs. The stories turned out to be a varied and delightful peek into Latin American culture. If you already know some Spanish, I recommend reading the Spanish version first, then going back and reading the English to see what you missed. Read them out loud to practice speaking.

The Emerald lizard, Fifteen Latin American Tales to Tell

Finally, a Latin American collection of tellable tales that is full of variety (15 different cultures and countries)and enlivened tales. I'm a true fan of DeSpain's books because I find them so useful in the classroom. This collection is one of his best as the stories elicit so much interest in Latin America. Also, DeSpain says that he writes his versions down after telling them aloud for some time. I believe him. These read like they're being told.