My Pig Amarillo

I bought this book for my son, Pablo. He is half Guatemalan and absolutely delights in the fact that his name is the name of the boy in the book.. My husband was very pleased in the illustrations if the book, explaining to me that it was almost exactly how his home looked when he was a little boy growing up in Guatemala. The story is heart warming and my son always wants to hear it again and again.

Being from Guatemala, I am always looking for literature for my young child. This book has enriched our cultural heritage, not only by the story but with the illustrations. Great book for beginner reader, especially to read on Nov. 1, Dia de Todos los Santos.

Hard to find books that teach children synthesis, but My Pig Amarillo is one you can use. The ending is not the usual happy ending, and therefore, it will cause the class to think a bit. I was very pleased with the lesson plan I came up using this book to teach synthesis, a tough subject for the 5th grade. Lovely illustrations, well written, teaches about a new country, I recommend this book highly for all elementary libraries, and classrooms.

Set in Guatemala, My Pig Amarillo is a beautiful tale about a boy and his pet pig. Not only does the storyline provide an introduction to the celebration of Day of the Dead in Guatemala, but its also has a gentle and hopeful message that teaches children (and adults) a positive way to cope with loss. The lovely illustrations accurately capture the mountainous landscape of Guatemala, the colorful dress of the Mayan people, and the overall simplicity of life in this remarkable country. As a teacher and the wife of a Guatemalan, this book is one of my favorites, and I highly reccommend it.