(2) K-3 Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Carmencita dislikes picking up rotten mangoes that have fallen from Abuelita's tree. She also doesn't like eating mangoes: they are sticky, and the strings get stuck between her teeth. But Abuelita shows Carmencita that there is more to a mango than its fruit. It takes all five senses to appreciate a mango, as Santos describes in lush language. Listen to "long green leaves...in the breeze" and "the roots stirring"; look at the tree's branches; smell the fruit's "honey-sweet smell"; feel the "soft and firm" skin; and taste it: "The sweetness of Mamá Earth is endless when you bite a ripe mango. Your mouth fills with thick juices and pulp. Tiny strings play between your teeth, and the songs of our people dance on your tongue." The heart of the story is the intergenerational love between Carmencita and Abuelita, which radiates warmth and comfort. Double-page spreads make up a large portion of Perdomo's rich, colorful digital art, bright and full of musicality and movement. An illustration of Abuelita eating a mango with ancestors dancing on her tongue especially showcases the art's meaning. An author's note explains how Santos was inspired by her own childhood in Venezuela. Simultaneously published in Spanish as Comó se come un mango.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Renato Alarcão. Roberto is excited about his cable car trip up the mountain overlooking Caracas. He's not so happy that his father can't accompany him as planned, but luckily Uncle Antonio is able to come along. The text, though wordy, is warm-hearted; Spanish words are scattered throughout. Alarcão's illustrations provide sweeping views of the Caracas skyline. Glos.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) 4-6 World Cultures series. This book presents the customs and lifestyle of the Yanomami Indians, who live in the rainforests of Brazil and Venezuela. Topics include daily life, family, housing, food, clothing, and beliefs. An explanation of how the threatened rainforest endangers these people concludes the book. The large-font text can be simplistic, but the many photographs are compelling. A superficial quiz is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. By placing the featured leader in a historical context, this series, part history and part biography, challenges the reader to consider the concept of leadership. Each book features a comprehensive discussion of the subject's childhood experiences and rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and ideology. The text is dense; some photographs and drawings help break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Leaders titles: Jacques Chirac, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Hugo Chávez, The Saudi Royal Family, Pope John Paul II, Vladimir Putin, and Pervez Musharraf.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA World Leaders series. Young briefly covers the history of Venezuela, Chavez's early years, and his service in the military before getting to the book's focus: Chavez's time as Venezuela's very controversial president. The text is supported by well-documented quotes from a variety of sources and some photographs. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. This competently researched volume covers the usual subjects for report writers: geography, history, culture, government, the economic situation, contemporary life, and the future of the country; it doesn't shy away from discussion of the drug trade or the high murder rate. The photos vary in quality, with a few spectacular visuals of masked dancers and tropical birds. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: The Countries series. These flat, factual country surveys include information for school assignments: history, government, land, people, economy, holidays, and cities, among other topics. The trim size and typeface indicate that the books are for younger readers; the vocabulary and political concepts often seem more advanced. Clear photos and a few Spanish words are included. Maps, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: The Countries titles: Argentina and Venezuela.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Welcome to My Country series. This overview of Venezuela introduces readers to the South American country's geography, history, politics, economics, and cultural life, including food, festivals, and leisure activities. Even though the coverage is broad, large type and good-quality photographs with clear captions on every page make these books accessible to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Discovering South America series. Overviews of these South American countries introduce the geography, history, economy, politics, peoples, and culture of each place. Each brief chapter features dry, straightforward text and color photos of varying quality. Recipes and project ideas are appended. Those looking for in-depth information for reports will have to go elsewhere. There are seven other fall 2003 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, website. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Discovering South America titles: Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, and Guyana.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Countries of the World series. Moving quickly through an overview section, these books then feature a closer look at selected topics, including dinosaur footprints in Bolivia and environmental projects in Venezuela. While the captions sometimes interrupt the flow of the competent text, the photos are often striking. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries of the World titles: Bolivia and Venezuela.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. With a generous array of color photos on almost every page, the updated books in this series offer a detailed look at the arts, customs, religious practices, foods, and other aspects of life in these South American countries. History, geography, and politics are also included, but the strength of these books is in their concentration on contemporary times. Maps, recipes, and timelines are useful features. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Cultures of the World titles: Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela.]

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Translated by Elisa Amado. Illustrated by Gloria Calderón. In this well-researched retelling, based on an indigenous legend from Venezuela, Kaputano the Sky Dweller warns the Kariña people that the earth will be destroyed in a flood. Only four couples heed the warning, and after days enduring the cataclysm, Kaputano creates a new paradise for the survivors. The rhythmic text is pared to its essentials. The stunning illustrations are notable for their strength and manipulation of line.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2002

(4) K-3 Ticket To series. A chatty text conveys information about Venezuela's geography, population, and cultural traditions, providing a superficial glimpse at life in this country. Text boxes provide word pronunciations and other facts. Brief chapters, large type, and color photos help make the volume an appealing introduction. Although for younger readers, this is almost identical to the same title in the publisher's Globe-Trotters Club series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Globe-Trotters Club series. Information on Venezuela's land, people, religion, food, celebrations, and other cultural traditions provides a superficial overview of contemporary life in this South American country. Text boxes provide additional fast facts. The casual tone, brief chapters, and many color photos make the book accessible. Despite being for older readers than the publisher's Ticket To series, the titles in both are nearly identical. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute