Thumbs Up, Rico!

A collection of three short stories features Rico, a youngster with Down syndrome who loves to play basketball, as he learns about friendship, family, and the secret to success.

Grade 3-4-A three-chapter story narrated by a young boy with Down syndrome. In the first chapter, Rico really likes the way Caesar plays basketball, but Caesar will have nothing to do with him and calls him "dummy" the first time they meet. Their friendship unfolds as Caesar realizes that Rico plays on a team, something he would like to do himself. Next, Rico struggles with his sister's wish to go to her friend's birthday party rather than to his big play-off game. Finally, he overcomes his feelings of artistic inadequacy. After seeking help and advice from his father, mother, sister, and friends, he finds the resources within himself to improve his drawing ability. The boy's emotional growth is well developed in the simple but realistic episodes. Watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life. Their facial expressions are depicted honestly, adding to readers' overall understanding of the story.
Graciela Italiano, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Rico, who has Down syndrome, creates a likable self-portrait in three brief chapters. ``The First Time I Met Caesar,'' he explains, the other boy called him ``Dummy'' and ridiculed his playing basketball, but after several encounters Rico's persistent cheerfulness--and real ability with the ball--enables the two to make friends. In ``Something for Nina,'' Rico comes to realize that his loyal older sister sometimes needs time with her own friends. And in ``Rico's Slam Dunk,'' the boy finally makes a drawing that satisfies him enough that he's proud to display it at school. Testa's phrasing is simplicity itself, yet she portrays Rico's emotions and his self-reliant approach to problems with poignant subtlety. Paterson's broadly rendered realistic paintings, which appear on a majority of the spreads, enhance appeal. An upbeat story that will find many uses, as a hi-lo, a young reader, or a readaloud. (Fiction. 5-11) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 3-4, somewhat younger for reading aloud. Rico, a boy with Down syndrome, narrates this beginning chapter book. In the first episode, Rico befriends a boy who initially calls him "dummy." In the second, he learns to consider his sister's needs as well as his own. The third chapter concerns his dissatisfaction with his ability to draw. Testa keeps the vocabulary simple, yet communicates shades of emotion well. Both words and colorful illustrations convey the characters' feelings without sentimentality. A good read-aloud book for introducing children to Down syndrome and an involving read-alone choice for children new to chapter books. Carolyn Phelan