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Summary
Summary
The Little Matador comes from a long line of proud bullfighters, but he would rather draw a bull than fight one! Despite his father's best efforts to get him to follow tradition, the Little Matador spends most of days daydreaming and sketching animals in the meadow. One day when the Little Matador is caught "making a scene" in the town square--drawing a scene, that is--his father decides he's had enough! The Little Matador gets dragged to the arena to face his first bull. He may have decided he's not going to fight, but the bull has other plans. That is, of course, until the Little Matador pulls out his sketch pad. Our talented hero may have won over the bull, but can he overcome his father's disapproval? In this little book about dreaming big, first time author/illustrator Julian Hector teaches us all about the importance of being true to your heart even in the face of great family expectations--and charging bulls!
Author Notes
Elise Primavera wrote and illustrated the first three books in the Fred & Anthony series, Fred & Anthony Escape from the Netherworld, Fred & Anthony Meet the Demented Super-Degerm-O Zombie, and Fred & Anthony Meet the Heinie Goblins from the Black Lagoon. She is also the author/illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Auntie Claus, and its sequel, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas. She has been illustrating children's books for more than twenty years and has worked with authors such as Jane Yolen, Diane Stanley, Jean Fritz, Art Buchwald, and Delia Ephron. She also illustrated Jerdine Nolen's highly acclaimed Raising Dragons , recipient of several honors including the 1999 Christopher Award. She works from her home studio in New Jersey.
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Coming from a long line of distinguished bullfighters, the Little Matador is expected to continue his family's proud tradition. But bullfighting bores him and drawing animals makes him happy, to his father's horror. When he debuts in the ring and stops the charging animal by drawing a picture of it, the boy proves to the townsfolk and his parents that his talent is different but also special. The old-time setting is well conveyed through illustrations using muted colors for the most part, with the hero in a bright red matador's outfit. The succinct text is enriched by numerous visual touches that help tell the story: family portraits on the walls-all of matadors; the authentic-looking arena off the town square; the Little Matador's room with books and pictures that suggest his interests in the larger world outside his town. This handsome endeavor will appeal particularly to youngsters who are familiar with bullfighting traditions. However, its emphasis on being different and finding your own talents is a good message for all children. Pair this title with Munro Leaf's classic Ferdinand for an interesting storytime on individuality.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A family of renowned bullfighters raises a son to carry on their glory in the ring. Unfortunately, he hates to fight and refuses to do so in the arena. Sound familiar? Of course, the last time readers heard this story it was the bull who was unwilling to fight. This mirror-version of Munro Leaf's classic tale features a Little Matador who has one real passion--drawing. The peace-loving artist loves nothing better than to sit and draw the animals around him. He's so good at it that he pacifies the angry bull in the ring by drawing a quite flattering portrait of the animal--and even produces a satisfying portrait of his parents after winning his battle of wills. The illustrations are wonderfully rendered, using just a few pen strokes to portray the ennui and superiority of the bullfighters. Many crowd scenes have little detail and a limited color palette. It all works. The contrasts and similarities between the Little Matador and his 20th-century counterpart Ferdinand would make for an interesting storytime. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In the tradition of Ferdinand the Bull comes this attractive book, featuring Little Matador, a boy descended from a long line of bullfighters. Each day he practices (with his father as the bull), but his heart is with his pencil and pad. Animals stop and pose for the boy, annoying his parents no end. They decide it's time for him to fight the bull. A wonderful aerial view of the ring captures the boy's aloneness, though on the next spread, when the bull charges, Little Matador is ready for him with his paper and pencil. His portrait of the bull makes the animal halt in its tracks. The townsfolk want pictures, and eventually so does his father. This is an impressive debut for Hector, whose art, with its unusual perspectives, both amuses and charms. He's slightly less successful with his story, which seems truncated in spots, but children will feel a real affinity for a boy who knows what he wants, parents notwithstanding, and faces fear to get it.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2008 Booklist
