Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Anita DeLucio-Brock,
Grandma and Me at the Flea - Los meros meros remateros.
Children's Book Press, 2002.

A bilingual (Spanish/English) story full of hope, generosity, and humor is set at a Fresno flea market, where a Mexican American boy and his grandmother spend a Sunday as vendors, or remateros. At the flea market, Juanito discovers that everything old can be new again. Vendors sell blankets and hardware, boots and belts, jewelry and flowerpots, even chiles.

Running from booth to booth with his friends, he is witness to and participant in a community in which everyone helps one another, exchanging wares for good deeds and vice versa. The colorful narrative features carefully measured sentences and wonderful word choice, making the English text a delight to read aloud. Spanish words incorporated into the English are well defined in context. Vibrant illustrations capture all the warmth, energy, and excitement of the flea market as experienced by Juanito.

Megan Schliesman
February 2002