Chato and the Party Animals [Paperback]

Chato-the coolest cat in thebarrio-loves to party.  So when he learns that Novio Boy has never had a birthday party, Chato decides to throw him a surprisepachanga.  He gets right to work-inviting everyone in the neighborhood, cooking up a feast, arranging for music and a pinata, and even ordering a special cake.  Chato's  sure that he's thought of everything.  But when it comes time for the party, he realizes that he forgot the most important thing of all-Novio Boy!  With a lively text featuring Spanish words throughout, and bright, bold artwork, this sequel toChato's Kitchenis truly a cause for celebration [A] joyous celebration of friendship.…Irresistible. -- School Library Journal, starred reviewBorn in Fresno, California to Mexican American parents, Gary Soto learned the hard work ethic through his share of chores, including mowing lawns, picking grapes, painting house numbers on street curbs, and washing cars. His hard work paid off at California State University at Fresno, from which he graduated with an English degree, and later at the University of California at Irvine, where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Gary Soto is an acclaimed poet, essayist, and fiction writer. The awards for this multi-talented author are many, ranging from the U.S. Award for International Poetry Forum in 1977 for his first published book of poetry,The Elements of San Joaquin, to a Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award in 1985 forLiving Up the Street, his first published work of prose recollections. His short story collectionBaseball in April, was named an American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults, and he received the Bura Belpre Award forChato's Kitchen. IHe has also received the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video forPool Party, and was nominated for a National Book Award.

His other credits includlc»