Book Cover Image:
Book Summary: Chato, a cat who likes to party, discovers
that his best friend, Novio Boy, does not enjoy birthday parties because he
does not know his birthday and has never celebrated. Therefore, Chato takes it upon himself to
throw a surprise birthday party for Novio Boy.
He gathers food, entertainment, party favors, and even makes a piñata to
give Novio Boy the party he has never had.
Unfortunately in all his preparations he forgets to invite the main
guest. Eventually the group finds Novio
Boy and they have the party of a lifetime.
APA Reference of
Book:
Soto, G. & Guevara, S. (2000). Chato and the party animals. New York, NY. G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
Impressions: This
Pura Belpre winner is a likeable, joyful story of true friendship. Readers will enjoy the characters and the
kindness of Chato. The story adds
elements of humor where necessary. It
also does a fabulous job of introducing readers to elements of the Latino
culture as well as basic Spanish phrases, found translated at the beginning of
the book. The illustrations are unique
and give an added element to the story.
Children will enjoy this heartwarming story.
Professional Review:
School Library Review:
K-Gr 3-In this sequel to Chato's Kitchen
(Putnam, 1995), the ebullient, jazzy, party-loving homecat decides to throw a
surprise birthday bash for his best friend, Novio Boy, who was raised in the
pound and has never had a party. Buying the provisions, inviting his friends,
decorating, arranging for music-Chato thinks he has seen to everything. The
guests begin to arrive and one dog raises a crucial question: "Where's the
birthday cat?" Aghast, Chato realizes that he neglected to invite Novio
Boy and organizes a search, which proves fruitless. The party turns wake as,
certain that Novio Boy has met an untimely end, all the animals remember his
good qualities and grieve. In the midst of this, who should turn up but the
guest of honor with some new friends in tow. With double reason to celebrate,
the party is a wild success. Rollicking language-a completely integrated and poetic
combination of barrio slang, Spanish, and colloquial English-carries the story
along. Guevara's lively acrylic-on-scratchboard illustrations have a verve and
style that will make readers long to join the fun. A glossary of Spanish words
preceding the text neatly removes any mystery, rendering this joyous
celebration of friendship not only understandable but irresistible.
Source: Welton, A. (2000).
[Review of the book Chato and the party animals by G. Soto and S. Guevara]. School Library
Weekly. Retrieved from https://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/15369051052907_chato_and_the_party_animals
Library Uses: At my school we have a bilingual program,
as well as a high ESL population. I
could see myself using this book to bring in some positive aspects of the
culture. My students would certainly be
able to relate to many elements of this story.
This would also be a good story to use in a unit about friendship. After reading students could write about a
time they have helped a friend. Finally,
this could be used to teach students about the Pura Belpre award. The class could work I groups to come up with
reasons why this book might have won the award.
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