Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad

PreS-Gr 3–In this Latinx retelling of the Old Scottish tale, “Always Room for One More,” Don Manuel and Doña Lila welcome visitors to their home of five children and various pets with open arms. When someone knocks on their door, Don Manuel always greets them saying, “¿Uno más?, one more? ¡Pues claro! Of course!” One night, their daughter Emilia opens the door to their home to a continuous stream of neighbors—even a mariachi band joins in the music, dance, and celebration. Their one-room home fills up with people dancing to ballads, rancheros, huapangos, jarabes, and polkas. They don’t notice that the walls are bulging, rattling, and trembling, until the house falls apart. Don Manuel and his family are crestfallen, until their neighbors pitch in to rebuild their house to be even bigger and better. Now they can all fit in when Don Manuel greets them and says; “¿Uno más? ¡No, no! ¡Muchos más! There’s lots of room for more!” A great lesson in community and generosity, this story reminds readers that there is always room for music, dance, and love. López’s rollicking text is accompanied by Sua’s bright and cheerful illustrations. The artist used acrylic paint and gouache on mixed-media paper and cut out each shape with an X-Acto knife, giving the images a layered texture. Spanish text is heavily featured. Back matter includes an author’s note about the inspiration for this tale, more on mariachi music, selected sources, and a glossary. The family has light brown skin, and they are cued as Mexican.