My Pal, Victor
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bertrand, Diane Gonzales. 2004. Translated by Eida de la Vega. Illustrated by Robert L. Sweetland. My Pal, Victor. Greenbay, WI: Raven Tree Press. ISBN 0972019294
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Two young boys enjoy each other’s company. Their many activities include baseball, telling scary stories, fishing, swimming, and going to amusement parks. Their friendship endures, undeterred by Victor’s disability
Two young boys enjoy each other’s company. Their many activities include baseball, telling scary stories, fishing, swimming, and going to amusement parks. Their friendship endures, undeterred by Victor’s disability
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This heartwarming and timeless story of a young friendship
is based on the activities that two boys share on a daily basis. Diane Gonzales Bertrand is an
award-winning author who often writes stories about Hispanic characters. While the illustrations in this picture book
do depict two young Hispanic boys, the story is not unique to their cultural
experiences. There is no stereotyping
based on culture, and the only indication that the book centers on Hispanic
characters is the illustrations.
One of the more significant elements of the book is the
inclusion of both English and Spanish text.
Bertrand regularly publishes bilingual books. This picture book includes the full Spanish
text underneath the full English text on each page. The inclusion of the Spanish text allows for
bilingual or monolingual Spanish and English speaking readers to enjoy the
story. In fact, this particular attribute of the
book may be its redeeming quality.
While the story is culturally relevant and does not insulate
the culture as the main plot element, the writing style is simplistic, and
almost juvenile. Readers will struggle
in deciphering which character is Victor, and which is the narrator due to
illustrations that do not adequately depict unique facial features; the two
characters resemble identical twins in many of the illustrations.
Overall, if readers are searching for bilingual books, Bertrand is always a good choice. However, there are other choices that may interest young readers more than this picture book..
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- ALA Schneider Family Book Award - Won 2005
- New York Suggested Reading List - 2004
Review from Hispanic Magazine: "The virtue of acceptance is portrayed between the friendship two best friends share unconditionally."
Review from The Reading Tub: "...celebrates the true meaning of friendship...a must read for elementary children as it introduces friendship as it should be..."
Review from ForeWord Magazine: "Sweetland is a master of shading and using light to create depth in his illustrations...a tale of the value of a good friendship, in any language, in any culture, and with any physical ability..."
Review from School Library Journal: "Pedestrian prose and amateurish illustrations mar this treatment of friendship despite disabilities..."
Review from Hispanic Link Weekly Report: "It reminds the reader that it is what’s inside that matters…the vivid illustrations capture the children’s innocence..."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Other books by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
The Party for Papa Luis / La Fiest Para Papa Luis. ISBN 978-1558855328
Family, Familia. ISBN 978-1558852709
Uncle Chente's Picnic / El Picnic De Tio Chente. ISBN 978-1558853379
Family, Familia. ISBN 978-1558852709
Uncle Chente's Picnic / El Picnic De Tio Chente. ISBN 978-1558853379
Yelly Kelly / Kelly, el griton. ISBN 978-0972019200
If I Could / Si Yo Pudiera. ISBN 978-0970110770
*Other bilingual picture books
Rosa-Mendoza, Loufane Gladys. Lola. ISBN 978-1931398527
Gaylord, Laurel Porter. Quiero a mi Mama Porque / I Love My Mommy Because. ISBN 978-0525472483