VÁMONOS A SAN SALVADOR

Little ones are introduced to the sights and attractions of San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador.

Lively, child-friendly illustrations take children on a tour of the city. It starts at the nearby Boquerón volcano, then proceeds on to the botanical garden of La Laguna, the Central Market and the plaza of Masferrer, and the important monuments, such as the monument to the revolution and the monument to the Divino Salvador del Mundo (the Divine Savior of the World), from whom the country takes its name. Each sight is named by its Spanish name and is accompanied by a simple statement in English followed by the Spanish translation. Sometimes the Spanish translation is the same as the English statement, sometimes not, but the sentiment is the same. The book ends with a few thumbnails providing a little more information in English only. Companion title Vámonos a Havana introduces children to the capital city of Cuba and follows the same format and aesthetic. It is puzzling that, given the title of the book is in Spanish, the spelling chosen was the English one: Havana instead of Habana. Readers are presented with the iconic sights of a city that, for the time being at least, they will only get to know through books.

It’s a big world out there; this book and its companion are charming ways to celebrate it.