Claudia Guadalupe Martínez and Laura González (Not a Bean; Not a Monster) continue their clever "Not a..." children's picture book series with a look at the perrito llanero, or the Mexican prairie dog. Martínez's informative story pairs with González's realistic illustrations to enlighten young readers about an endangered rodent that is vital to its environment.
Martínez writes an English text that includes Spanish words and phrases to describe prairie dogs, their growth and development, and their habitat. The author continues by explaining that prairie dog colonies historically "fed and sheltered many animals, including chorlos, tecolotes, and zorros" (plovers, owls, and foxes). But farmers and ranchers "destroyed the colonies, thinking the perritos were a threat to their crops and pastures." When the perritos were gone, "the prairie withered, and the desert closed in."
The Spanish Martínez inserts is focused on shape words and simple vocabulary and González's mixed-media illustrations provide visual explanations of the words. The images are outlined in red and examples include the "arrow" form of a wooden sign "in the shape of a flecha" and the "heart" created by two prairie dog pups hugging ("their bodies form a corazón"). The illustrator beautifully illuminates the underground communities and uses texture, perspective, and detail to juxtapose life in the tunnels with life above ground. A complete list of Spanish words and their English translations appear in the book's backmatter along with an author's note providing additional information on the prairie dog.
Not a Dog is a sweet introduction to an endangered rodent and to the value of environmental consciousness. Animal lovers should dig it. --Jen Forbus, freelancer