A little girl discovers all the bright colors in her Hispanic American neighborhood. - (Baker & Taylor)

Pura Belpré Award, Illustrator Honor
Latino Book Award, Winner

Green is a chile pepper, spicy and hot.
Green is cilantro inside our pot.

In this lively picture book, children discover a world of colors all around them: red is spices and swirling skirts, yellow is masa, tortillas, and sweet corn cake. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this playful concept book will reinforce the colors found in every child's day! - (Grand Central Pub)

Booklist Reviews

Here's a cheerful color-concept book that presents a slice of Latino culture through food and fun. Each double-page spread introduces a color in rhyming, explanatory verse; attractive art; and a colored bubble with the word in English and Spanish. The text states the special uses of the color in the culture—"Orange are the marigolds on the Day of the Dead"—while the illustrations, showing children and families celebrating life's events, support and enhance the concepts by "filling in the blanks" of information not mentioned in the verse. The bold colors of the Latino culture are displayed throughout: swirling red skirts and ribbons of the "baile folklorico," pink for piñatas, white for palomitas (popcorn), and orange for the Day of the Dead. An extensive glossary defines each Spanish term, and some words have pronunciations. This book is recommended for both school and public libraries. Spanish-language skills are not necessary to successfully share this lovely book. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

In this festive concept book, all the colors found in a Hispanic American neighborhood are described in rhyming text with frequent Spanish words, explained in detail in a glossary. The objects described, such as ristras, piqatas, and faroles, are staples of Mexican culture, but Parra's folk art style paintings, stuffed with entertaining details, make them universally understandable and appealing.

School Library Journal Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—The creators of Round Is a Tortilla (Chronicle, 2013) are back with another Mexican American culture—infused concept book with universal appeal. A little girl and boy walk around their town pointing out the vivid palette that permeates their home and community. "Green are the cornstalks./Green are the pails./Green is a bench/for abuela's tales." The Spanish translation of the featured color is also provided on each spread. Excellent for building vocabulary, this work introduces festive customs such as the Day of the Dead and Mexican folk dance, which are further explained in an extensive glossary. The diversity of the characters refreshingly reflects the diversity of the Latino community. Thong's buoyant rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud and Parra's stunning folk-art illustrations offer vibrant scenes that children will return to again and again. The exuberant depictions of cooking, outdoor parties, and fun craft-making invite myriad extension activities. A choice book for bilingual or STEAM-powered storytimes.—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal