(Language learning/parts of speech) A bilingual picture book thriller for learning prepositions in Spanish or English. Ivan and Elena have a mystery on their hands—something is eating everyone’s food. Benjer-Man is on the case. This gross children’s humor book includes full text and pronunciation guide in English and Spanish, finding/counting activity, online SECRETS, an unusual visitor, and … vivid illustrations by Jeremy Higginbotham (for kids ages 4+ ESL/ELL). Get this monster book in English-only, Spanish-only, hard, soft, or ebook versions. 36-page, 8.5”x8.5” multiracial kid’s book with Filipino and Pacific Islander characters, 800 words (double for bilingual) in dyslexic-friendly font by award-winning children’s author Karl Beckstrand (Great Cape o’ Colors). Mini-mysteries for Minors #5 (others in the series: Sounds in the House, Crumbs on the Stairs, She Doesn’t Want the Worms, Why Juan Can’t Sleep); worldwide rights June 2019 (© Premio Publishing & Gozo Books) PremioBooks (online extras), Baker & Taylor, B&N, Brodart, EBSCO, Follett, Gardners, iBooks, Ingram, Kindle/Amazon, Library Direct, Mackin, Walmart online. LCCN: 2019901686; JUV028000, JNF020030, JUV009080, JUV030080, JUV009030, JUV052000, JUV071000, JUV019000, HUM001000, HUM000000; Soft ISBN: 978-0692220993, Hard ISBN: 978-1732069664, eISBN: 978-0463227312. Libro misterioso para niños de 4 años y arriba
more
Little Ivan is sitting in his highchair eating dinner. No one but his sister seems to notice there’s a ton of food that’s landed under his highchair. They’re too busy with baths and getting ready for bedtime. But the next morning, the green blob is gone. The parents think the other cleaned the mess but Ivan’s sister knows better. Something has taken the food and it’s up to her to solve this mystery.
It Came from Under the High Chair is another multi-lingual gem from Karl Beckstrand. This is a great yucky mystery every kid will gobble up. They won’t even realize they’re learning grammar (prepositions), Spanish and a valuable lesson.
Why is this a five-star read? First, the subject matter is relatable. Messes are everywhere and it’s important to clean them up. Second, the family is bi-racial so it exposes kids to what it means to be diverse. Third, the story is in both Spanish and English. Last, it’s easy to read aloud at bedtime or naptime. The illustrations are bright and colorful. An easy, fun way for everyone in the whole family to learn Spanish/English. Did I mention it’s fun?
If you’re looking to add a new book to your children’s library, pick this one up. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
A brilliant little children’s book, this was something a little bit different to the average children’s book you read and I love the fact that it’s also teaching at the same time. Fantastic book.
An adorable story
Beckstrand pens an adorable and mystery story in It Came from under the High Chair: A Mystery. It’s a great children’s book, and it is bilingual, in English and Spanish. It would be a great story to read to a little one or have them read it as well. There is a mystery (it starts as a “greenish blur”) as the premise, and it does have some children gross humor, but it works for the story. The illustrations were wonderful and fun. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This is a cute children’s book with both Spanish and English words making it possible to learn a few new words in either language. The story is fun and a bit of a “mystery” to find out what is under the highchair and what will it do next???
This is a cutely illustrated book that will draw a child’s attention and bring some laughs, as well.
I received a free e-book copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book (which I chose to read as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team) from the author but that does not effect my review in any way.
This is the first bilingual book I’ve seen and it caught my interest. I don’t speak Spanish although I learnt it for a year at school and that was enough for me to recognise many of the words.
I thought the pronunciation and grammar notes were useful and clear and I found it easy to read along in Spanish and fun to work out what each word meant.
Ivan, the baby, has a mess of food under his highchair. His parents, distracted with all they have to do to notice nothing, but his brother and sister, Benjamin and Elena, know that something’s wrong when even Ringo, the dog, won’t eat it.
Soon it’s clear something new is in the house and that can be looked for and spotted on each page which young readers will enjoy.
The illustrations are terrific and make what could be something quite scary into something not so. There’s also a lovely ending which leaves children knowing that everything’s alright.
There’s a list of the prepositions used at the end with the translations which adds to the learning experience.
All in all this is a wonderful book to share with a young person in your life with the added attraction of it being a learning opportunity too.