What can you do with a boy who tries to do things right but only leaves disaster in his wake? Laugh--that's what! Readers everywhere will love to laugh at the hilarious antics of the ever-blundering Juan Bobo, Puerto Rico's most celebrated fold character. In this rollicking Juan Bobo tale, our hero sets out to find work at the farm and the grocery. Although the tasks are simple and the directions couldn't be clearer, he always find a way to bungle things up as only a character whose name means "Simple John" could! Kindergarten-Grade 3-Juan Bobo, the Puerto Rican equivalent of Foolish Jack, can't seem to get anything right. Sent off by his mother to find work, he causes one disaster after another, and manages to lose or destroy his payment in a variety of amusing ways. As luck would have it, one of the boy's misadventures brings laughter to the rich man's daughter, and Juan at last receives compensation that he can hold on to. Montes tells her story well, but Cepeda's illustrations steal the show. Using his distinctive, vibrantly colored acrylics, the artist creates a character whose innocence, confusion, and contrition are endearing. The text is heavily peppered with Spanish phrases, but a glossary and an author's note are included. Another lively addition to folktale shelves. Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Ages 3-8. In this Puerto Rican parallel to Lazy Jack, Juan Bobo has the same problems with coins, milk, cheese, and other payments as his English counterpart. When Juan makes the rich girl laugh, however, her father repays him with a ham every Sunday. This altered ending fits the setting but occurs abruptly. Otherwise, the funny, well-paced retelling smoothly incorporates Spanish words and phrases. Most are easily understood in context, but an appended glossary provides pronunciations as well as definitions. An author's note adds cultural background about Juan Bobo but cites no specific source for the story. Using bold, bright Caribbean colors, Cepeda's oil paintings amplify Juan's silliness and charm. Brush strokes add texture, and background details establish the Puerto Rican setting. An obvious candidate for multicultural units, this will be popular wherever children love to laugh. Linda Perkins Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved “Another lively addition to folktale shelves.” - School Library Journal “This will be popular wherever children love to laugh.” - ALA Booklist What can you do with a boy who tries to do things right but only leaves disaster in his wake? Laugh--that's what! Readers everywhere will love to laugh at the hilarious antics of the ever-blundering Juan Bobo, Puerto Rico's most celebrated fold character. In this rollicking Juan Bobo tale, our hero sets out to find work at the farm and the grocery. Although the tasks are simple and the directions couldn't be clearer, he always find a way to bungle things up as only a character whose name means "Simple John" could! Marisa Montes practiced family law and worked in legal publishing before she began writing full-time. Marissa has written several picture books, novels, and chapter books for children. She was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in Walnut Creek, California. Nacida en San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marisa Montes vivió una fase de trotamundos al desplazarse con su familia a bases militares en Missouri, en Francia, y finalmente, en California. Antes de dedicarse en pleno a escribir libros para niños, Marisa practicó la abogacía y trabajó escribiendo y editando publicaciones de derecho. En la actualidad, vive en el norte de California con su esposo, David Plotkin. Ha escrito varios libros infantiles y también novelas para adolescentes. Joe Cepeda is the bestselling illustrator of Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron and What A Truly Cool World by Julius Lester. He, his wife, and their son live in Southern California. Joe Cepeda es el ilustrador del bestseller Nappy Hair por Carolivia Herron y What A Truly Cool World por Julius Lester. Joe vive en el sur de California con su esposa e hijo.