El sombrero del tio Nacho - Uncle Nachos Hat, Del Sol Books

Reading Rainbow Selection
UNICEF—Ezra Jack Keats Award Citation
Parent's Choice Approved Book
Recommended by the Elementary School Library Collection

When Ambrosia gives her Uncle Nacho a new hat, he tries to get rid of his old one, but to no avail. No matter what he does, the pesky hat keeps coming back to him. This classic folktale from the Puppet Workshop of Nicaraguan National Television, vividly illustrated by Mira Reisberg and presented in a bilingual edition, is a parable about the difficulties of making changes and shaking off old habits. The book includes an account of the origins of the story.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Uncle Nachos Hat to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

"This engaging fable, derived from a Nicaraguan folktale, is appropriately illustrated in bold colors and stylized forms that recall Central American folk art. An entertaining story, doubly useful in this bilingual edition." —Kirkus Children's and Young Adult Edition

Publishers Weekly : These two folktales, with text in Spanish and English, bring important glimpses of other cultures to American children. The Uncle Nacho story originated in Nicaragua; the other came to Nicaragua from Africa by way of Jamaica. In the first, Nacho is attached to his old hat, even though it is full of holes . When his niece Ambrosia gives him a new one, he's pleased but skeptical. He reluctantly puts the ragged hat in the trash, but thanks to well-meaning relatives and friends, the hat keeps returning to Nacho. Finally he realizes it's time to push himself to change his style, in a clever and involving lesson in acceptance of change. In the second story, Brother Anansi is "the spider," a standard folk hero known for his devious nature. In this book, Anansi outsmarts a tiger who is twice his size. The tiger has won the lottery and Anansi is bound to end up a winner himself. Anansi ends up a cattle rancher in a charming victory of brainpower over brawn. Ages 4-12.

School Library Journal : Grade 3-6-- Two bilingual folktales. Anansi. . . is rooted in the African-American tradition of the Atlantic Coast region of Nicaragua. Tricky Brother Anansi goes into the cattle business with Brother Tiger, who has won a large amount of money in a lottery, and they become very successful. After some years, Brother Anansi decides it is time to put one over on Brother Tiger, and he offers to divide the animals and mark them. Needless to say, he will come out ahead. The brightly contrasting illustrations in a folk-art style feature the jaguar, which lives in Central America (unlike the tiger), and is referred to as a tiger in the folklore of the area. Uncle Nacho . . . receives a new hat as a gift from his niece. He tries to throw away his old hat, but it keeps coming back to him as people recognize it and return it to him. He is discouraged until his niece tells him: "Stop worrying about the old hat, Uncle Nacho. Think about your new hat instead." The story was adapted from a Nicaraguan folktale performed by the Puppet Workshop of Nicaraguan National Television. Striking colors complement earth tones in the primitive-style illustrations.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Parenting Magazine - The bilingual Uncle Nacho's Hat is brimming with comedy and color. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.