Señorita Gordita

K-Gr 2—Ketteman continues her run of appealing fractured folktales. When the story begins, it's quickly apparent that this is a retelling of "The Gingerbread Man" set in the Southwest. Araña, a spider, is cooking herself a treat when one of the gorditas (little fried homemade tortillas) hops up and starts running. The chase is on, and several desert animals join in on the hunt for the tasty morsel. Will Señorita Gordita survive or will one of those crafty animals catch her? The refrain is different from the traditional one but still catchy, and listeners will be chanting along. Ketteman incorporates Spanish terms and phrases, and each animal takes center stage in Terry's illustrations. This way, readers can make connections between the name Crótolo and the enormous, threatening rattlesnake. But if confusion persists, a glossary (along with a recipe for gorditas) is appended. The art is full of Southwestern charm and depicts the setting accurately. Gordita is sassy, the other animals shifty and speedy, and these elements all add up to a yummy folktale. Definitely a hit in regional libraries, but it should be popular anywhere.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ