Since 1858, boys and men in Ponce, Puerto Rico, have celebrated Carnival for the entire month of February. These masqueraders or vejigantes wear clown-like costumes and papier mâché masks resembling animals. Delacre's English = Spanish story based upon this local custom features young Ramón, who has found ways to create his first vejigante costume and work in exchange for a mask so that he can participate in the merriment with the older boys. During the opening festivities, Ramón's foolhardy actions gain the boys' respect but also ruin his costume. Bilingual information about three masqueraders from Mexico, Spain and Venezuela; directions for making a vejigante mask; several vejigante chants; a glossary; and a bibliography support the story. All portions of this unique 9 1/2" by 10 1/4" picture book are illustrated in full color with art created in watercolor with colored pencils and pastels. (Ages 5-9)

Determined to look his best for the upcoming celebration, a young Puerto Rican boy makes a special costume so that he can be a vejigante, or masquerader, in a book that includes a Spanish-English glossary, chants, and instructions for making a vejigante mask.