Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book, written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Publisher: Chronicle Books, LLC.

Publication Date: 2003

ISBN-13:  978-0-8118-3758-3

Knock-knock-knock.  Who could it be?  In this Mexican folk tale retelling, Grandma Beetle finds death knocking at her door!  Señor Calavera (Spanish for “skull”) is a skeleton man who has come to take Grandma to her next life.  But Grandma is not quite ready to go, and asks him to wait “just a minute” while she finishes each task on her to-do list.  As Señor Calavera’s patience grows thin, Grandma finally finishes her tasks…but trickster that she is, it is now Señor Calavera that wants to wait “just a minute” more to enjoy the fruits of Grandma’s labor.

This story is perfect for reading aloud, as every page begins with the refrain of “Just a minute…” when Grandma Beetle announces yet another task she needs to complete. Readers can count along with Señor Calavera, in both English and Spanish, as he grows frustrated waiting on Grandma to complete each new task.  “THREE… Señor Calavera rolled his eyes.  He had to be very patient sometimes…FOUR... Señor Calavera frowned.  This was taking more time than he expected…FIVE… Señor Calavera tapped his fingers.  This was getting out of hand!”  

Vivid, full page illustrations allow us to experience the culture of Mexico through warm, vibrant colors as we see Grandma fill piñatas, chop fruits, melt cheeses, and cook corn tortillas in preparation for her birthday fiesta.  Clever Grandma winks at the reader as she manipulates Señor Calavera into not only waiting, but helping with her tasks.  It isn’t long before he dons his own apron and takes charge of the mixing bowl. Though he represents death in this story, he is a colorful, friendly-looking character whose facial expressions will amuse and delight readers as they witness his feelings of impatience, frustration, and ultimately submission.  

Children will love this just for its clever tale and count-along fun, but it would also fit well with instructional units on Mexico or Mexican folklore.  Additionally, it could be compared and contrasted with Mice and Beans by Pam Muñoz Ryan, another story about a grandmother preparing for a birthday fiesta with a  little help from the mice who live in her house.

Awards and Honors:

• California Book Award Silver Medal for Juvenile Fiction (2004)
• Pura Belpre Medal for Best Illustration (2004)
• Notable Books for Children, Younger Readers (2004)
• CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center) Choices selection (2004)
• Golden Kite Honor Book, Picture Book Illustration (2004)
• TomC!s Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award (2004)
• Latino Literary Award for Best Children's Book (2004)
• Latino Book Award (2004)
• Parent's Choice Award Winner, Approved (2003)
• Northern California Book Award nomination, Children's Literature (2003)
• Best of the Best List, Chicago Public Library (2003)
• Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education (2003)
• Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (2003)
• Booklist starred review
• Kirkus Reviews starred review