By Colorado Kids Advisory Board member Caitlin Shannon

Title: Any Small Goodness
Author: Tony Johnston
Illustrator: N/A
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Number of Pages: 156

What do think of when people say Los Angeles? Do you think of movie stars and fast cars and people who are too rich and too poor? The book Any Small Goodness shows you what that L.A. isn’t just about that. It shows you that there is warmth, humor, and happiness as well.

The main character in this story is Arturo. He is 11 years old. The book is about his life in L.A. with his Abuelita, Papi, Mami, Luis, Rosa, and his lovable cat Huitla.

I really like this family’s Christmas Policy. They draw a name of someone in their family out of a cookie jar. Then they hide it and MAKE a present for that person. The best part is nobody knows who gave this gift to you.

The funniest event in this book is when Abuelita gives Coach Tree red hot chilies. He is a famous basketball player who comes to Arturo’s school to coach the basketball team and help them out a bit. When Abuelita hears about this man she makes him her famous chili recipe. That is it! There is no
stopping her now! When she brings the chilies to Coach Tree he takes one bite and practically explodes! She has made the hottest chili of all! While
Coach Tree is steaming he manages to say thank you and bow to everyone, then walks to his car with the rest of the chilies.

Another thing I really like aout this book is that there is a Spanish glossary in the back. There are about 152 phrases. You can really learn a lot of Spanish. For example, did you know that ahoritita means right now? Or that pavor means dread? This can really help improve your ability to speak
Spanish.

At some points in the middle of the book there was not much action, but it was still a wonderful story.

So next time you are looking for a great story with lots of Spanish, this is just what you need! (December, 2001)