Fiesta Fireworks

Citation:

Ancona, George. 1998. Fiesta Fireworks. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.

ISBN 9781422362570

Summary:

Caren Reyes Urbán lives in Tultepec, Mexico which is a town well-known for fireworks. Her family is skilled in firework making (pirotécnico).  Various methods of firework construction are detailed and traditional celebrations of the area are explored as Caren and her family prepare for the fiesta honoring her town’s patron saint, San Juan de Dios.

Critical Analysis:

George Ancona’s colorful photographs and descriptive storytelling work together well to form an entertaining and informative children’s book with Fiesta Fireworks. The story follows a young girl and her family as they prepare for a celebration honoring their city’s patron saint using impressive pyrotechnics and creative paper mâché creatures. The photographs successfully document Mexican traditions and the author expertly weaves the Spanish language into the text. While some Spanish expressions are left up to the reader to make inferences based upon the reading, most terms are included in a helpful glossary at the end of the book. The author also includes an author’s note briefly explaining the history of fireworks, information concerning Tutlepec’s patron saint, San Juan de Dios, and a helpful map of Mexico pointing out the location of the celebration described in the book.   

Perhaps the most helpful aspect in adding an overwhelming sense of authenticity to the work is the photography George Ancona so skillfully integrates. Each page is full of photographs detailing Mexican dress, which some not familiar with Mexico might find surprisingly similar to their own, as well as traditional foods, including tortillas and salsas. The festival documentation is the most exciting feature of the book, displaying exquisite firework shows, traditional colorful paper mâché toritos (little bulls), and a full color photograph of the procession of a San Juan de Dios statue. Mexican traditions are richly detailed throughout Fiesta Fireworks and young readers can definitely find themselves connecting through the colorful photography and the lively story following a young girl and her excitement as she prepares for a traditional Mexican fiesta.

Review Excerpt(s):

“Readers who have little idea of life in Mexico will learn as much from the pictures as from the words, which clearly describe preparations for the festival.” ~ Booklist, April, 1998

Connections:

Flora, James. 1994. The Fabulous Firework Family. New York: M.K. McElderry.

ISBN 9780689505966

Shahan, Sherry. 2009. Fiesta!: A Celebration of Latino Festivals. Ill. by Paula Barragán. Atlanta, GA: August House LittleFolk.

ISBN 9780874838619

Classroom Activity: Make paper mâché creations just like the ones seen in Fiesta Fireworks.  Here are some helpful websites detailing paper mâché construction:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/how_to_paper_mache.htm

http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/quick_how_to/papiermacheballoon/papiermacheballoon.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Papier-M%C3%A2ch%C3%A9