Ole! Flamenco by George Ancona

a. Bibliographic data
Ancona, George. 2010. OLE! FLAMENCO. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc. ISBN 9781600603617

b. Brief plot summary
Author George Ancona provides young readers with a brief history of the flamenco before describing the elements of the flamenco: song, dance, and music. Each of these three elements is discussed in detail and invites readers into the world of these long standing and culturally diverse art form.

c. Critical analysis
While Ole! Flamenco is written with an heavy influence on the Hispanic culture, the background information on the art form provides readers with an understanding of many cultures and how each blended together to create the flamenco that is practiced today. Ancona, whose photographers accompany his text, took time to show the audience how the flamenco dance is portrayed through the eyes of a Mexican American family, the Cordovas. Several Spanish terms are used throughout this non-fiction piece and aide the reader in understanding the Spanish or Mexican American version of this widely known dance.

Ancona’s photographs, along with other photos and paintings used with permission, depict a variety of people and cultures. The traditional clothing worn by both men and women are discussed, as well as common hairstyles and facial expressions used while dancing the flamenco.

At first glance, this informational text seems to be an odd choice of topics for such a young reading audience but once the book is started, any reader who enjoys dance or music will enjoy learning about this interesting art form.

d. Reviews/Awards
• From SLJ: “Ancona turns his attention to flamenco in a photo essay about its history, technique, traditions, and performance. He features young students and performers of Flamenco's Next Generation, a Santa Fe group, and records their rehearsal solos and studio training. A discussion of Gypsy origins of the dance and its European development in southern Spain is included. Flamenco is presented as a changing, "living" art, incorporating the rhythms and styles of other cultures. Its three main elements—song, dance, and music—are each explained as are the performance of beat or rhythms, palmas (rhythmic hand clapping), flamenco guitar, cajón (percussive instrument), zapateado (footwork), hand positions, castanets, costuming, and facial expressions. The book's strength lies with the balance of maps, text, and colorful photographs that emphasize the joy of music through performance and family tradition. A general purchase for all libraries.”
• From Booklist: “Veteran photo-essayist Ancona turns to a subject that may not be an immediate choice for children, but they’ll soon be enticed by the story of flamenco, an art form that’s more than dancing and has been around for hundreds of years. He begins with a short introduction that chronicles his visit to Spain, where he encountered Gypsies (his term) practicing the flamenco, “the art of song, dance, and music.” He then returns readers to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where a group of young people are learning flamenco. A helpful map traces the art form’s roots, while the text explains both the history of the Gypsies and flamenco. Full-color photographs capture the excitement and dazzle.”

e. Connections
• Ole! Flamenco can be used to teach young students the beginning steps to learning the flamenco dance.
• Young readers who appreciate varying forms of dance can enjoy some of these other non-fiction books:
o Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon by Susanna Reich and Raul Colon
o Prima Princessa's Ballet for Beginners: Featuring the School of American Ballet by Stephanie Troeller and Mary Kate Mellow
o A Dictionary of Dance by Liz Murphy

• Other works written by Ancona for those who are interested in further reading:
o Charro: The Mexican Cowboy
o El pinatero/The Pinata Maker
o Let’s Dance
o Murals: Walls that Sing
o Somos Latinos/ We are Latinos series