Chato and the Party Animals

Author: Gary Soto
Illustrator: Susan Guevara
Date: 2000
Publisher: Puffin Books
Awards: Pura Belpre

Chato’s friend Novio Boy doesn’t have a family and doesn’t recognize his own birthday because he doesn’t know when it is. Chato realizes Novio Boy is upset about not having a birthday to celebrate and plans a surprise party. After inviting all of the neighborhood animals, Chato realizes he’s forgotten to invite Novio Boy. He is nowhere to be found and the friends assume he’s either been hurt or killed. The animals are pleasantly surprised when he walks in the crowd and they celebrate Novio Boy’s birthday until the sun comes up.