Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a minute: a trickster tale and counting book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 

When a skeleton knocks on Grandma Beetle’s door and beckons her to come with him, Grandma Beetle begs for “just a minute” as she rushes around completing tasks numbered one to ten and uno to dias. While the skeleton visitor appears to enjoy the tasks at first and enjoys watching Grandma while he waits, he begins to suspect a plot as the tasks go on and he gets more and more frustrated as the waiting continues. When nine grandchildren arrive at Grandma’s house to celebrate her birthday—a party where the skeleton is the tenth guest, the skeleton leaves Grandma’s house with a note anticipating being a guest at her next birthday. Although children may not understand the significance of the skeleton’s arrival, the warm and loving hug that Grandma Beetle shares with her grandchildren will warm even the hardest hearts. The warm colors of Morales’ illustrations follow the Mexican theme of the book. The rounded figure of Grandma Beetle and the friendly comical appearance of the skeleton will ensure long life to this folktale for readers of all ages.