Just a Minute

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Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a Minute. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC. ISBN 0811837580

Summary

In Just a Minute by Yuyi Morales, Grandma Beetle is visited by Señor Calavera who has come to take her away with him. However, Grandma Beetle just has too much to do to go with him right away. She repeatedly delays Señor Calavera by telling him, "Just a minute" and  "I'll will go with you right away," but only after completing the tasks that she must finish. Señor Calavera becomes more and more impatient, as Grandma Beetle tallies her preparations from one to ten, while busily completing her tasks. By the time she reaches ten, Grandma Beetle's nine grandchildren have shown up for her birthday party, which is the reason behind all of her preparations. Señor Calavera himself is a guest of the celebration, and he has such a good time that he exits without Grandma Beetle, leaving behind a note ensuring he will be there next year for her birthday party.

Critical Analysis

Just a Minute is a trickster folktale rich with Mexican culture and tradition. The story's setting is quickly established when Señor Calavera knocks on the door of Grandma Beetle's home. The book is both a counting book and a tale of trickery where children learn to count in both English and Spanish as Grandma Beetle outwits Señor Calavera with her counting game. Morales uses a pattern of repetition in her text, Grandma Beetle says  "Just a minute" each time to delay Señor Calavera then counts items in her preparations in English followed by Señor Calavera counting them in Spanish. Readers will identify with the timeless portrayal of family celebrations, and the story resolves happily with Señor Calavera departing alone leaving Grandma Beetle behind to hug her her grandchildren.

The illustrations of Yuyi Morales vibrate with the colors of a Day of the Dead celebration. Señor Calavera's skull is brightly decorated like a sugar skull; and his expressions of impatience add humor to Morales' tale. The depictions of Grandma Beetle remain a calm, serene counterpart to Señor Calavera's agitation. My favorite page is where Grandma Beetle has Señor Calavera in an apron helping to mix the preparations for her six pots of foods. There are many details that illustrate a home rich with Mexican culture: a string of red chiles, beautiful Mexican tiles, brightly colored pinatas, and a table full of traditional Mexican dishes. On the page where Grandma Beetle blows out the candles on her cake, several grandchildren, including Señor Calavera, wear piñata pieces on their heads. 

While Morales' text teaches children to count in both English and Spanish, her detailed illustrations encourage many re-readings of the story. Children will enjoy spotting a black and white kitten that makes an appearance on every page. In fact, nearly every page includes a detail to point out and discuss. Grandma Beetle's wink on last page of the story clues readers into the game, alluding to her tricking of Señor Calavera. 

Awards

Just a Minute won the Pura Belpre Award and the ALA Notable Books for Children Awards in 2004.

Reviews

In the December 01, 2003, Publishers Weekly review of Just a Minute, Morales' handling of the subject of death is explained as, "Like the best folktales, the darker motivation for the skeleton's visit remains elusive for youngest readers, and the sly interplay between hostess and visitor makes light of his role."

Booklist, December 01, 2003, had this praise for Morales' illustrations, "Like the text, the rich, lively artwork draws strongly upon Mexican culture, with hints of Diego Rivera in Grandma's robust form, and the skeleton resembling the whimsical figurines often seen in Day of the Dead folk art. The splendid paintings and spirited storytelling--along with useful math and multicultural elements--augur a long, full life for this original folktale."

Connections

Just a Minute would be a great book to share during a Dia de los Muertos story time, especially for young children since the story is gentle and free of scarier elements. This book illustrates the activity of counting objects and introduces children to counting both in English and Spanish.

In a children's program with a focus on folktales, other trickster tales from around the world could be read along with Just a Minute to compare and contrast this type of story, as well as, the cultural elements of the stories. 

References

Books In Print. Texas Woman's University. Accessed September 18, 2013