Count Me In! A Parade of Mexican Folk Art Numbers in English and Spanish

Weill’s fourth title in the bilingual First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art series, a counting book, features photographs of ceramic figurines crafted by a quartet of Oaxacan artisans known as the Aguilar Sisters. The traditionally dressed clay characters celebrate the Oaxacan festival of Guelaguetza. As the book counts to 10, each vibrantly colored page introduces a new figurine, while exclamations and comments in Spanish and English draw readers into the scenes (“The giants are my favorite! See the person wearing the costume peeking through the inside?”). Six women wear long dresses with white piping, while the text asks, “Can you dance and carry a basket of flowers on your head too?” The vivid colors and theatrical arrangements provide a window into a lively cultural celebration. Ages 2–up. (Nov.)