Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Module 3

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a minute: A trickster tale and counting book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

In this trickster tale, the skeleton Senor Calavera knocks on Grandma Beetle's door early one morning and asks her to go with him. She asks him to wait "just a minute" as she counts one job after another that she must first finish. Grandma Beetle counts in both English and Spanish. By the end of the day, Senor Calavera is tired of waiting but stays around long enough to enjoy Grandma Beetle's birthday party with her grandchildren. Then he leaves without her. The bright colorful illustrations performed in acrylic and mixed media on paper, help to set the tone for this story. Senor Calavera, a humorous looking skeleton wearing a fedora hat, obviously represents Death, who Grandma Beetle tricks out of completing his mission. This story is different from some trickster tales because in this case the trickster is the heroine. We realize that having a purpose in life is what keeps us alive and joyful. The warm colored illustrations authentically capture the importance of family life in Mexican culture. This book is recommended for PreK-Grade 2.