Prolific children's author Alma Flor Ada presents twenty-eight brief poems—one for each letter in the Spanish alphabet**—in this picture book celebratProlific children's author Alma Flor Ada presents twenty-eight brief poems—one for each letter in the Spanish alphabet**—in this picture book celebration of Mexican American migrant farm workers. From the Árboles (Trees) that bear the fruit harvested by the young narrator's parents to the Zanahoria (Carrot) that is the color of the sun, these brief snippets offer insight into the hard work and loving family life of the farmworkers that harvest so much of America's produce. Written by the Alma Flor Ada in Spanish, the poems are translated into English by the author's daughter, Rosa Zubizarreta (who has translated other books by her mother as well), and illustrated by Simón Silva, himself the son of farmworkers...
I found Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English quite lovely, appreciating the sense of strength, solidarity and love in these poems, which together form an engaging narrative. I really liked the fact that the book is bilingual, and arranged alphabetically by the original Spanish words, as this subtly emphasizes to English readers that the worldview of the narrative is centered around a different language, and organized around that language. This is, in itself, broadening in perspective. I don't know that I loved the poems, as poems, but I did like the feelings they evoked, and I especially liked the one for "Farmworkers," which emphasizes gratitude to the hard workers who harvest the produce we eat each day. The accompanying artwork from Simón Silva, who made his debut here, were created in gouache, and are colorful, expressive and engrossing. The illustrations for "Mexico," which centers a gorgeous Mayan sun disk, particularly stood out. Recommended to anyone looking for bilingual Spanish-English alphabet books with a little more substance, as well as to those seeking children's books about the migrant farmworker experience.
**This book was published in 1997, shortly before "ch" and "ll" were removed as separate letters from the Spanish alphabet....more
The sun disappears in this bilingual picture book retelling of a Mexican folktale, and the world and its inhabitants are left in darkness. The animalsThe sun disappears in this bilingual picture book retelling of a Mexican folktale, and the world and its inhabitants are left in darkness. The animals and the people all search for the sun, to no avail, eventually giving up in despair. Only the lizard persists, eventually coming upon a glowing stone that appears to be hiding some powerful light. Alerted to the situation, the emperor manages to reveal the sun with the help of a woodpecker, and to convince that heavenly body to rise again, promising gorgeous songs and dances of celebration in return...
I found The Lizard and the Sun / La Lagartija y el Sol quite enjoyable, appreciating both the story from author Alma Flor Ada, as well as the engrossing artwork from illustrator Felipe Dávalos. This pair would go onto to work together again, on Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection, which Ada co-wrote with F. Isabel Campoy. The tale seems to offer an explanation of how certain customs and possibly an annual festival of thanksgiving came into being, and appears from the artwork to have an Aztec cultural origin. Unfortunately, although there is a brief author's note at the rear of the book, no specifics as to source are given, although Ada notes she read the tale in a textbook, some years before. I would have really liked to know more about this: the cultural backdrop of the tale, and relation to specifics songs or dances in Aztec culture (if known), and so on. It also would have been helpful if the word Aztec had been used at all, as some readers might be unsure whether the story originated with that people, or with the Maya. Leaving this critique aside, I did find this one intriguing, from both a narrative and aesthetic standpoint, and think it would make an interesting contrast and companion to other stories about the sun either disappearing or being too constantly present. Possibilities include the Siberian Yuit tale How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun, or the Chinese tale of the Ten Suns....more
A little half chicken with one leg and one wing sets out for the viceroy's court in Mexico City in this bilingual retelling of a traditional tale thatA little half chicken with one leg and one wing sets out for the viceroy's court in Mexico City in this bilingual retelling of a traditional tale that has roots in Spain, but is also to be found in the lore of many Latin American countries. Helping a stream, a fire, and the wind along his journey, Half Chicken arrives at the viceroy's court, only to find himself in the soup pot. Fortunately the forces he aided—water, fire and wind—come to his rescue, and he finds himself transformed into the very first weathervane: a half chicken sitting on a roof with a view of the world, turning according to the gusts of his friend the wind...
I have seen this tale retold in picture book form before, in Eric A. Kimmel's Medio Pollito: A Spanish Tale, with artwork by Argentine illustrator Valeria Docampo. According to the brief note here from author Alma Flor Ada, this pourquoi tale explaining the origin of weathervanes originates in Spain (that is how the Kimmel retelling presents it), but can also be found throughout Latin America. The version she tells here is from her Cuban grandmother, but reset it in Mexico. I have therefore added it to my Spanish folklore, Mexican folklore and Cuban folklore shelves. Leaving all that aside, I found Mediopollito / Half-Chicken to be an engaging retelling of the tale. I appreciated the story itself—pourquoi tales are always fun!—and the fact that it is presented in both English and Spanish, with the latter being provided by translator Rosalma Zubizarreta. The colorful and engaging artwork is supplied by illustrator Kim Howard, who also worked on Rebecca Hickox's Zorro and Quwi: Tales of a Trickster Guinea Pig. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to anyone seeking bilingual picture books in both English and Spanish....more
A young boy shows disrespect for the Salmon People in this folktale from Alaska's Tlingit people, casting away a piece of dried salmon his mother giveA young boy shows disrespect for the Salmon People in this folktale from Alaska's Tlingit people, casting away a piece of dried salmon his mother gives him in anger, because the end is moldy. Having violated a taboo, the boy is captured by the Salmon People and renamed Shanyaak'utlaax̱, meaning "moldy end." Living under the sea for a number of years, the boy is eventually reunited with his human family, when the salmon return to their ancestral stream. Transformed back into a human, he shares his story with his people, becoming the Salmon Boy...
Originally published by the Sealaska Heritage Institute in 2004, as Shanyaak'utlaax̱ / Moldy End, and then republished in this new edition as Shanyaak'utlaax̱ / Salmon Boy in 2017, with new artwork from Tlingit illustrator Michaela Goade, this folkloric retelling is a work of beauty! Goade is in fact the reason that I tracked it down, having greatly enjoyed her Caldecott Medal-winning artwork in Carole Lindstrom's We Are Water Protectors, and I was not disappointed. The visuals here are simply gorgeous, with a beautiful, vivid color palette, lovely stylized figures, and an overall composition that feels magical. The story is one of transformations, and Goade captures that in her artwork, which has a sense of motion that is perfectly matched to the tale. I am glad to have obtained a copy of this book, and glad to have discovered Sealaska Heritage, a Native non-profit intended to highlight and promote the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of southeast coastal Alaska. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, to admirers of Michaela Goade's artwork, to those who appreciate beautifully-illustrated picture-books, and to anyone seeking children's books with Tlingit cultural content.
Addendum: for an audio/video retelling of this tale, please see the Sealaska Heritage video HERE. The version presented, in Tlingit with English subtitles, is significantly more detailed than the print version in this picture-book....more
Joe and Cody, two young Cree brothers whose previous adventures in the boreal landscape of northern Manitoba were chronicled in Caribou Song / atíhJoe and Cody, two young Cree brothers whose previous adventures in the boreal landscape of northern Manitoba were chronicled in Caribou Song / atíhko níkamon and Dragonfly Kites / Kíweegínapíseek, return in this third bilingual picture-book from Tomson Highway. As Joe and his mother cuddle on the family sled, Cody and his father are out on the ice, working to position their fishing net between the two holes they've bored through that ice. When a fox suddenly appears, the sled dogs give chase, carrying Joe and the boys' mother with them. Now Cody and his father must also give chase, leaving their net behind...
Although it is the third title in Highway's Songs of the North Wind trilogy, which examines Joe and Cody's experiences living with their mother and father on the land, Fox on the Ice / mahkesís mískwamíhk e-cípatapít is only the second I have read, after Caribou Song / atíhko níkamon. Unfortunately, I have not been able to track down the middle title, as it is not held by any library near me, and is not available online like the other two. In any case, I found the story here engaging, and the accompanying artwork from illustrator Brian Deines lovely. There is a quiet gentleness to these stories, that set out the simple events of Joe and Cody's life together, that is very appealing, and one gets the sense of the loving bond between the members of this family, even if few words are spoken. The entire trilogy of tales was originally illustrated by Deines, although new editions of the first two books have been issued with different artwork. Here however, all editions appears to contain Deines work, although newer editions appear under a slightly different title, Fox on the Ice / Maageesees Maskwameek Kaapit. I know that with the reissue of the first title, the new edition was trilingual, adding a local Cree dialect text, in addition to the English and high Cree texts present in the original. Perhaps the newer edition of this one has English and local Cree, rather than English and high Cree? Whatever the case may be, I read the original version, and I enjoyed it. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for unusual outdoor adventure stories, and to anyone seeking First Nations/Native American stories for children....more
A kindly old couple find their fortune transformed for the better in this traditional Japanese fairy-tale, despite the machinations of their greedy anA kindly old couple find their fortune transformed for the better in this traditional Japanese fairy-tale, despite the machinations of their greedy and jealous neighbors. When the old man puts out his fishing nets, only to have his fish stolen by the neighbor, he takes the root left for him instead, intending to use it for firewood. The magical dog Shiro is born from this wood, the first time that the old man attempts to chop it, and this canine companion soon leads his human to a place on the nearby mountain, where treasure is buried. The jealous neighbors attempt to force Shiro to lead them to buried treasure as well, but find only dirt and worms, leading them to beat the dog to death. The heartbroken old man mourns beneath the willow tree that sprouted where Shiro lay buried, and taking a piece of its wood home with him, carved a wooden bowl. When this bowl began to turn the old couple's rice into gold and jewels, the jealous neighbors commandeered it for themselves, only to find their own rice transformed into dirt. Their actions, in burning the bowl, lead to the final episode, as the ashes from the bowl transform the old couple's garden into a place of great beauty, while leading the neighbor into great trouble with a passing prince...
Originally published in Japan by Kodansha, and then in the United States by J.B. Lippincott, this bilingual picture-book from author Miyoko Matsutani and illustrator Yasuo Segawa is read in the traditional Japanese style, from back to front, and right to left. It is a lovely book, pairing an engaging tale of two couples who each get their just deserts - the kindly couple being rewarded with wealth, and a beautiful garden; the jealous and cruel couple gaining no wealth, and finding themselves punished by the prince - with gorgeous artwork. This is the second picture-book I have read that was produced by Matsutani and Segawa, after their The Fox Wedding, and I found that I enjoyed it a little bit more than that other title, from the visual perspective. I particularly liked the scenes depicting the beauty of the old couple's garden, after the ashes had been sprinkled on it, as Segawa's use of color and form here was just beautiful. I also liked the humor in his human characters throughout the story, as the artist ably captures the variety of their expressions, whether dismayed or happy. Highly recommended, both to readers who enjoy folk and fairy-tales, and to anyone who appreciates lovely, expressive picture-book illustrations....more
Caribou Song / atíhko níkamon, illustrated by Brian Deines.
Joe and Cody were two young Cree boys, living with their parents and their pet dog Ootsie oCaribou Song / atíhko níkamon, illustrated by Brian Deines.
Joe and Cody were two young Cree boys, living with their parents and their pet dog Ootsie on the northern plains of Manitoba. One day, while following the caribou, the brothers performed a caribou song together, Joe playing the kitoochigan (accordion) and Cody singing. Their music summoned the caribou, and soon the boys were surrounded by a majestic herd of more than one thousand of these arctic deer...
Originally published in 2001, with artwork by Brian Deines, Caribou Song / atíhko níkamon was republished in 2013 with new illustrations from John Rombough. The edition I read was the original one, with the artwork of Deines, and it was bilingual, featuring the text in both English and Cree. It's interesting to note that the new edition is trilingual, featuring the story in English, high Cree and a local Cree dialect. Leaving that aside, I found the story here engaging, and appreciated its blend of matter-of-fact telling and almost magical storyline. There is something enchanting about the caribou's appearance, as if summoned by the song, and something very moving about the boys' mother's distress, before she realizes that they weren't crushed by the running herd. The accompanying artwork from Deines has a lovely, luminous quality, and adds to the reading pleasure. This is the first book I have read from Tomson Highway, a Cree author perhaps best known for his plays for adults, but I certainly hope it will not be my last! Recommended to picture-book readers looking for unusual outdoor adventure stories, and to anyone seeking First Nations/Native American stories for children....more
Chinese-American picture-book author and illustrator Rich Lo explores the colors of Chinese New Year in this brightly illustrated bilingual concept boChinese-American picture-book author and illustrator Rich Lo explores the colors of Chinese New Year in this brightly illustrated bilingual concept book. Each two-page spread features a given color, in both English and Chinese - the latter given in simplified character, and in transliterated form - on one page, and an illustration of an object in that color, on the other. These objects, from firecrackers to peanut puffs, all have significance for the celebration of the holiday, something expanded upon in the short afterword at the back of the book...
Although I don't normally read a great many early concept books such as this, I requested Chinese New Year Colors from the library recently because I was seeking Lunar New Year titles, and because the cover looked so lovely. Appropriately, given the subject matter, the use of color here is quite appealing. I appreciated the general layout and design of the book, and Ho's illustrations. I also appreciated that this was a bilingual book, offering children the opportunity to learn some basic Chinese vocabulary, as it concerns colors. Although I can't say this was a memorable title for me, in its own right, I can see it working very well as both a color book and an introduction to the symbols and customs of Chinese New Year, for younger children. It is for that purpose that I would recommend it. For myself, I'm curious to track down some of Lo's more story-driven titles....more
A company of skeletons cavort and play in this entertaining picture-book romp from Mexico, enjoying the Day of the Dead that the living have put on foA company of skeletons cavort and play in this entertaining picture-book romp from Mexico, enjoying the Day of the Dead that the living have put on for them. The bilingual text is a rhyming, rhythmic celebration of their joyful dance, and is accompanied by author/artist Luis San Vicente's colorful, energetic illustrations, that ably capture the humor and fun of the day. An extensive afterword gives instructions on creating one's own altar for a deceased loved one, as well as recipes for Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skulls...
Originally published in Mexico as El Festival de las calaveras, and then translated into English by John William and Bobby Byrd for this bilingual American edition, this picture-book offers an entertaining and cheerful celebration of the joy that Day of the Dead represents for those who celebrate it. I found the text engaging, and the artwork quite appealing. That said, I was a little uncomfortable with the afterword, and with the instructions for creating an altar. Keeping an altar of any kind is, after all, a religious custom, even if it is also a cultural one, and some families might not believe in such practices. I think the intent here was probably benign - an attempt to share a meaningful cultural practice - but some parents might interpret the inclusion of this section, which encourages children to engage in a (partly) religious practice, as a form of proselytizing. I'd still recommend this one to picture-book readers looking for fun Day of the Dead titles, but with the caveat that adult readers should preview the afterword, and see if it fits with their own family's practices and beliefs....more
When Pina's Uncle Ancho comes to visit her in California, his stories of his sister, Maria de Flor, a young girl with a birthmark like a flower on herWhen Pina's Uncle Ancho comes to visit her in California, his stories of his sister, Maria de Flor, a young girl with a birthmark like a flower on her cheek, who died when she was only sixteen years old, strike a deep chord. One night, Pina dreams that she is visiting her extended family in Oaxaca, celebrating the Day of the Dead with them, and honoring Maria de Flor's memory...
A slim picture-book, Maria de Flor: A Day of the Dead Story / María de Flor : una historia del día de los muertos features an engaging bilingual text from author Max Benavidez, and striking artwork from illustrator María Elena Castro. The story itself is somewhat surreal, and emphasizes the power of stories to inspire us, whether awake or asleep. The illustrations look to be done in a variety of media, with collage and photographic elements, and the use of what looks like paper mache puppets and brightly-colored wooden animals. This is an unusual book, and doesn't look to be in that many libraries, nationwide. It can however, be accessed HERE, on the Internet Archive. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for unique Day of the Dead stories....more
It is the first Day of the Dead celebration since the passing of his Tío Fernando, for whom he was named, and Nando prepares to honor this beloved relIt is the first Day of the Dead celebration since the passing of his Tío Fernando, for whom he was named, and Nando prepares to honor this beloved relative. As he wanders through the market, seeing all of the traditional treats and decorations associated with the holiday, he wonders what it will be like to meet Tío Fernando's spirit. Later, as he and his mother keep vigil at the cemetery, Nando does feel a connection, and is happy that his uncle knows that he is loved and not forgotten...
Pairing an engaging, heartfelt narrative from American author Janice Levy with appealing, expressive watercolor artwork from Venezuelan illustrator Morella Fuenmayor, The Spirit of Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story / El espíritu de tío Fernando : Una historia del Día de los Muertos offers a lovely exploration of the customs and meaning of the Day of the Dead. Far from being a morbid or frightening occasion, it is a joyous remembrance of loved ones who have passed away, but who are still important to the family they left behind. This is a bilingual book - Spanish translation is provided by Teresa Mlawer, who also worked on Bob Barner's The Day of the Dead / El día de los muertos - so it can also be used in Spanish language and/or ESL classes. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about the Day of the Dead....more
Author/illustrator Bob Barner offers an engaging celebration of the Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos for preschool children in this brightly-illustratAuthor/illustrator Bob Barner offers an engaging celebration of the Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos for preschool children in this brightly-illustrated bilingual picture-book. The rhyming text describes the activities that people engage in on this holiday, which honors the spirits of one's ancestors and deceased relatives and friends. From the special treats to the decorations for the graveyard, from the singing to the dancing, this is a day to pray, to remember, and to celebrate...
Pairing Barner's simple text in rhyme - translated into Spanish by Teresa Mlawer - with lovely collage and mixed media artwork, The Day of the Dead / El día de los muertos offers a happy, upbeat look at a holiday celebrated in Mexico, a number of other Latin American countries, and parts of the United States. Although there is an afterword giving more information, I would have liked to see some discussion of the Day of the Dead as it relates to Allhallowtide (All Saints Eve, All Saints Day, All Souls Day), with which it coincides, and from which it takes some of its traditions. For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of Day of the Dead is its syncretism, blending European Catholic and indigenous Aztec beliefs. Of course, this is well outside the scope of this simple picture-book to explore fully. That said, some mention of All Souls/Saints Day would have allowed young readers to make connections between this cultural tradition and others the world over. Leaving that missed opportunity aside, this was an entertaining and engaging book, one I would recommend to any preschool teacher or storyteller looking for Day of the Dead titles....more
With simple text and black-and-white artwork, Gordon Lew describes the activities and observances associated with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon FestivalWith simple text and black-and-white artwork, Gordon Lew describes the activities and observances associated with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in this pamphlet-style early reader. Associated with the harvest, it is a time for giving thanks, and for gathering with family. The making of lanterns, the eating of mooncakes, and the telling of lunar folklore - the moon maiden, the woodcutter, the three-legged toad - are all described...
Published in 1971, The Moon Festival Is Here was part of the San Francisco Unified School District's Chinese Bilingual Pilot Project, which made early readers in both English and Cantonese available to schoolchildren, and was meant to familiarize them with different Chinese festivals. I discovered it over on the Internet Archive, while seeking out children's books about the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Although I don't know that I'd particularly recommend it to today's young reader - there are far better children's books available today about this festival, from Loretta Seto's Mooncakes to Christina Matula's The Shadow in the Moon: A Tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival - it did have some appeal, especially in the cute artwork. I liked the page that showed the Golden Gate Bridge, and I appreciated the inclusion of some astronauts, in the scene in which the father is telling moon-related stories, as these both emphasize that the festival, although a part of ancient tradition, is also relevant in today's modern world, and for young American children of Chinese ancestry. Recommended primarily to readers interested in bilingual English/Chinese educational texts....more
A group of black cats and a group of blonde cats coexist uneasily with one another in this picture-book from the Palestinian territories, with the blaA group of black cats and a group of blonde cats coexist uneasily with one another in this picture-book from the Palestinian territories, with the black cats living on one side of a river, and the blonde cats on the other. They share power, with a black cat functioning as leader for half of the year, and a blonde one for the other half, but there are still many disputes. When a grey cat is born, making him the leader seems the solution to the problem, but unfortunately, the disputes persist. Finally the grey cat comes up with a solution: he swaps the cats' ears, so black cats now listen with blonde ears and blonde cats with black ears. Finally, the two sides are able to hear one another...
Originally published in Arabic by the The Tamer Institute for Community Education in Ramallah, أذن سمراء ... أذن شقراء / Black Ear ... Blonde Ear was translated by volunteers, and made available in English over at the International Children's Digital Library, which features a wealth of children's books from around the world. The story itself is an interesting allegory about the pitfalls of prejudice, racism, tribalism - in short, any belief system that pits one community against another. It demonstrates that the only way to achieve peaceful coexistence is to really listen to others, and to hear them with ears sympathetic to their experiences. The accompanying artwork from Fotin Dedvaz is cute, in a cartoonish style. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories encouraging peaceful coexistence and/or mindful listening. Also recommended to anyone interested in Palestinian children's literature, of which this is my first example....more
Presented in both English and Spanish, this folktale from New Mexico follows the story of Arcía, the kindhearted daughter of a widowed sheepherder. CoPresented in both English and Spanish, this folktale from New Mexico follows the story of Arcía, the kindhearted daughter of a widowed sheepherder. Convincing her father to marry their neighbor, also widowed, she soon regrets the change in her familiar circumstances, as Margarita begins to mistreat her, and to favor her own biological daughters. When her sheep's wool is stolen by a hawk one day, while she is washing it at the local stream, Arcía's politeness to the avian thief wins her a reward, in the form of a little golden star on her forehead. Although this makes her stepsisters jealous, when those two girls attempt to win a star themselves, they are rude and contemptuous, rather than polite, and find themselves with a donkey ear and a cow horn on their foreheads instead of a star. As for Arcía, her bright star eventually attracts the attention of a nearby prince, who comes looking for her, after he gets a glimpse of her at his party...
This is the second retelling of this folktale that I have read in picture-book form, following upon Robert D. San Souci's Little Gold Star: A Spanish American Cinderella Tale. Unlike that other story, which features the figure of the Virgin Mary, Estrellita de oro / Little Gold Star: A Cinderella Cuento utilizes a hawk to reward the heroine with her lovely gold star. It's interesting to note that the two books were published the same year (2000), and that, according to author Joe Hayes' note, it is more common for this story to include the Virgin Mary, than not. This made me wonder why Hayes chose to use another variant - was he aware of the San Souci project, and wanting to set his version apart? According to his note, he was most influenced by the retelling of the tale found in Aurora Lucero-White's Literary Folklore of the Hispanic Southwest, so perhaps the explanation is simply that this version had a hawk, rather than the Virgin Mary.
Leaving aside issues of source material and variant, I enjoyed the story here, and I appreciated that it was presented in both English and Spanish. This is something that Joe Hayes is known for, and that I also appreciated in his wonderful Pajaro Verde / The Green Bird. I will have to try to track down more of his work! The accompanying artwork is lovely, created in a folk style using a vivid color palette. I found the back story behind the illustrations, discussed in the rear dust-jacket blurb, quite moving. Apparently the first three paintings were done by Gloria Osuna Pérez, who then became ill with ovarian cancer, in the midst of the project. Her daughter and caregiver, Lucía Ángela Pérez, also an artist, then stepped in and completed the work, under her mother's instruction. I'm sure this was a labor of love for both of them, and I found that information quite poignant. This is one I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts, to readers seeking Cinderella variants from around the world, and to those interested in the Hispanic folklore of the American Southwest....more
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