THE STRANGER AND THE RED ROOSTER/EL FORASTERO Y EL GALLO ROJO

Once again an animal plays a central role in Villaseñor’s story, but this time the other characters are human. When a stranger walks into the small town of Carlsbad, Calif., both children and adults primarily notice the scar that disfigures his face and refuse to interact or offer him the work he seeks. But when he shows up on Sunday after church, carrying his rooster with a bright ribbon around its neck, the ice is broken: The powerful bird, lunging after crickets, almost pulls the man off of his feet. When he finally manages to restrain the rooster, and while everyone is roaring with laughter, the children approach to pet the bird and the adults to introduce themselves. Villaseñor's lesson against judging by appearances is apparent, but the heart of the story is the humor inherent in the rooster's greedy hunger. Jara's illustrations are detailed, featuring slightly exaggerated faces and the desert flora and simple adobe dwellings of southern California several decades in the past. (Picture book. 3-6)