![*Sparky's Bark/El ladrido de Sparky [bilingual]* by Mimi Chapra, illustrated by Vivi Escriva](images/covers/sparkyba.jpg)
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Coming to the United States on an airplane, Lucy is excited and curious about this new country, begging her Mamita to show her the photographs of Papi’s family, whom they will be visiting in Ohio for the whole summer.
Mother and daughter are greeted at the airport by Tio John, Lucy’s uncle, their bags collected and the journey to the farm begun in Tio John’s truck. Lucy is surprised that there are no banana groves, no flamingos, no lagoons. She meets Aunt Dot and Cousin Robby and, best of all, Robby’s dog, Sparky. Sparky jumps with joy to see Lucy, but she quickly realizes that the dog cannot understand anything she says.
After adjusting a bit to the shock of a very different country and food cooked without the spices of her native land, Lucy settles in to a routine, making friends with her cousin as he teaches her words in English, a bit of a challenge. Little by little, Lucy gains command of the unfamiliar language, thrilled when Sparky understands her commands to “sit” and “roll over.”
The illustrations are wonderful, drawings of a little girl and her mother in a strange place, a little intimidated by their surroundings, but at home with family. Lucy bravely overcomes her language confusion, applying herself to learning English with enthusiasm and her cousin’s help. Gradually, Lucy adapts to another way of life, delighted at her progress.
The text is written in both English and Spanish, a paragraph of each on the pages with the corresponding pictures, making it easy for youngsters to compare the two languages and pick out similarities words. This story is beautifully written and illustrated, a charming tale of a little girl and the dog that finally “hears” her words.
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Sparky's Bark/El ladrido de Sparky [bilingual]