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PICTURE BOOKS
Cáceres, Andrea

My Dog Just Speaks Spanish

32 pp. | Candlewick | May, 2023 | Trade ISBN 9781536222784 $17.99 | Spanish ISBN 9781536229882 $17.99 | Ebook ISBN 9781536232080 $17.99
(2) K-3 Aurora learned English when she came to the United States, but Nena, her cute brown and white spaniel, only understands commands given in Spanish. "She doesn't know WAIT, but she knows ESPERA." At the dog park, when someone throws a ball and yells "'FETCH'...Nena joins in only when Aurora yells ‘¡BÚSCALA!'" While Aurora helps Nena navigate the English-speaking world outside, she communicates with Nena in Spanish at home. The illustrations show household objects tagged with yellow sticky notes displaying both English and Spanish words. This book gently explores the idea of second-language acquisition, children who translate for others, and code switching, suggesting patience with those who learn at different speeds. "Aurora is not concerned that Nena doesn't know English yet, because she will always be there to help." Colorful, happy digitally rendered illustrations show the closeness between girl and dog, and Nena's friendly, affectionate nature. Concurrently published in Spanish as Mi perro solo habla español.
Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

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