Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book

From three-time Pura Belpré Winner Yuyi Morales, a delightful alphabet picture book about a Día de los Muertos skeleton who must find the perfect birthday gift (or gifts!)

A 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the 2009 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration
A Pura Belpré Honor Book for Narrative

Yuyi Morales takes us on a new journey with Señor Calvera, the skeleton from Day of the Dead celebrations. Señor Calvera is worried. He can't figure out what to give Grandma Beetle for her birthday. Misunderstanding the advice of Zelmiro the Ghost, Señor Calvera decides not to get her one gift, but instead one gift for every letter of the alphabet, just in case.

Una Acordéon: An accordion for her to dance to.
Bigotes: A mustache because she has none.
Cosquillas: Tickles to make her laugh . . .

. . . only to find out at the end of the alphabet that the best gift of all is seeing her friends. Morales's art glows in this heart-warming original tale with folklore themes, a companion book to her Pura Belpré-winning Just a Minute.

In English with Spanish vocabulary words

Award-winning author and illustrator Yuyi Morales is the author of Caldecott Honor and Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Medal-winning Viva Frida, stunning bilingual bedtime story Little Night/Nochecita, Rudas: Niño's Horrendous Hermanitas, Pura Belpré Honor Book (Narrative) Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book, and other picture books for young readers. She also illustrated Thunder Boy Jr., written by Sherman Alexie, and Pura Belpré (Illustration) Medal and Pura Belpré (Narrative) Honor book Los Gatos Black on Halloween, written by Marisa Montes.

Written by Yuyi Morales:
Niño Wrestles the World
Rudas: Niño's Horrendous Hermanitas
Viva Frida
Little Night / Nochecita

Illustrated by Yuyi Morales:
Los Gatos Black on Halloween (written by Marisa Montes)

Praise for Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book:

"Richly hued and filled with action, the illustrations capture the tale’s humor and Latin flavor perfectly, leading on to an entirely logical, hilarious and heartwarming surprise at the end. As gifted an artist as she is a storyteller, Morales is in top form here." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Drenched in rich hues, the light-filled illustrations add a whimsical dimension to this trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. When disaster strikes and all the presents fly from Calavera’s bike basket, there is nonetheless a happy ending that brings both story and alphabet to a rollicking conclusion. This companion to Morales’ award-winning Just a Minute (2003) will be a hit for storytime." ―Booklist

“A perfect read aloud picture book for a birthday party celebration, grandmother's day, el dia de los muertos or any time of the year. Highly recommended.” ―Reforma

"[A] breezily told tale, rich in Spanish vocabulary and Mexican atmosphere. The alphabetically ordered collected presents are cleverly integrated into the double pages, each with a different color background. Each spread includes amusing details to study in the fantasy-like but clearly painted illustrations." ―Children's Literature

"Part ghost story and part alphabet book, this trickster tale transcends both. Librarians will want to share it for the beautiful language, the spirited artwork, and the rightness of the ending." ―School Library Journal