Book Description

In this whimsical ABC book in Spanish each letter is represented by an animal which in turn introduces the next.

This book represents the playful rhymes that young children thoroughly enjoy. It will be a delightful way of making young children aware of initial letter/sound correlation, of individual letters, of the ABC, and of the names of many animals.

The excellent illustration by María de Jesús Álvarez, and the clever rhymes, makes this a book to be enjoyed by all.

Author’s Note

Animals were a very important part of my life and of my children’s lives. This is why it is not surprising that so many of my books are populated by animals.

I enjoy clever rhymes and delight when I see how much children appreciate them.

This playful book will invite them to anticipate which can be the next animal and a word that rhymes with the animal’s name is always the clue.

It always give me great satisfaction when I can have a book published that gives children joy while allowing them to enrich their vocabulary, acquire new concepts, and become stronger readers.

I hope this playful book will do just that.

And what a joy that it would have such beautiful illustrations by María Jesús Álvarez, who had already illustrated Celebra un PowWow con Sandy Starbright / Celebrate a Pow Wow with Sandy Starbright, one of the books from the Cuentos para celebrar / Stories to Celebrate series.

Correlations

This book can correlate to my other ABC books: Abecedario de los animales, Coral y espuma: Abecedario del mar, and Gathering the Sun.

Other books with rhymes are: Me gustaría tener / How Happy I Would Be and Una extraña visita / Strange Visitors.

A book that also offers prediction supported by the rhyme is ¿Quién nacerá aquí? / Who’s Hatching Here?

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

RECOGNITIONS

Best-selling Book!
Once Upon A World Book Award, Simon Weisenthal Center, 1998
NCSS/CBC Notable Book in the area of Social Studies, National Council of Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council
Pura Belpré Honor Book, American Library Association 1997
NCTE Notable Book in Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English
“Pick of the Lists” American Booksellers Association
California Readers’ Collection, Elementary List
Commended List, Center for Latin American Studies

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The author’s many years of work with migrant families inspired this poetic ABC of the fields, in two languages, and Simón Silva’s magnificent illustrations, in bold colors, have created a work of art to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. (K-12).

CD DESCRIPTION

Suni Paz has drawn from her extensive knowledge of Latin American folklore for the inspirational music that turns the poems in this book into memorable songs, an irresistible invitation to listen, to enjoy, to sing along.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Some of the most heartening experiences of my life have been my work with Migrant Farm Working families. I have described the academic results of sharing high quality children’s books with Migrant parents and inviting them to create books with their children in Pájaro Valley, California in the book A Magical Encounter: Use of Latino Literature in the Classroom. I have described my work with farm working parents, and the learning I derived from it, in my memoirs, Vivir en dos idiomas.

The poems of Gathering the Sun were born out of these enriching experiences. Simón Silva, who knew intimately the life in the fields during his childhood and has drawn from the heritage of the great Mexican muralists provided strong and magnificent illustrations that have made this book the true homage to the farm workers lives and struggles that I dreamt to create.

It has given me unsurpassable joy to sign this book for golden anniversaries of grandparents and for birthday gifts, for quinceañeras, newborn babies and babies yet to be born, realizing that in each case the book is a symbol of the strength, the resilience, the determination, the dignity and the profound love of family of those who work in the fields and whose labor allows us all to live.

Suni’s unique voice and her masterful compositions have allowed the words in this book to transcend their birth as poems becoming unforgettable songs. My gratitude to Suni and Simón, for allowing this homage to César Chávez and all campesinos to be as inspiring as his example and their lives.

REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Pre-School-Grade 5. An alphabet book with exceptional illustrations and excellent poetry that gives voice to the experience of Hispanic agricultural workers. Each letter is matched with a Spanish word (for example, “Arboles” for “A”) and accompanied by a poem in both Spanish and English that describes how the plant, fruit, vegetable, person, or feeling functions in the lives of these workers. Zubizarreta’s English translations are informed and graceful, but predictably cannot match the Spanish originals in rhythm, assonance, or meter. Silva’s vibrant, double-page, gouache illustrations are reminiscent of the artwork of Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. The colors are brilliant, and the scope has a certain larger-than-life sense to it. This is a book that begs to be read aloud to all students, whether they are Spanish speaking or not. The sound of the poems will draw them in. The touching elegy for Cesar Chavez successfully imparts the impact of a heroic man on his people. Whether used to show the plight of migrant workers or the pride Hispanic laborers feel in their heritage, this is an important book. –Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Booklist

Ages 5–8. Using the Spanish alphabet as a template, Ada has written 27 poems that celebrate both the bounty of the harvest and the Mexican heritage of the farmworkers and their families. The poems, presented in both Spanish and English, are short and simple bursts of flavor: “Árboles/Trees,” “Betabel/Beet,” “César Chávez,” etc. Silva’s sun-drenched gouache paintings are robust, with images sculpted in paint. Brimming with respect and pride, the book, with its mythic vision of the migrant farm worker, will add much to any unit on farming or Mexican American heritage. Annie Ayres

Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book

Tapping into a rich cultural history of people working the land and harvesting its bounty, Gathering the Sun is brilliantly illustrated, a delightful adventure into the world of language and art, of “simple words and sun-drenched paintings.” More than just an alphabet book, it teaches children the basics of language in the context of family and tradition.

The illustrated alphabet is Spanish, text in both Spanish and English: “arboles (trees), “the companions of my childhood”; duraznos (peaches), “like a gentle caress in the palm of my hand”; tomates (tomatoes), “red tomato in the kitchen, in the little tacos my godmother loves to make”; zanahoria (carrot), “The carrot hides beneath the earth. After all, she knows the sun’s fiery color by heart.”

Through the text by Alma Flor Ada and wonderful art of Simon Silva, beginning readers explore orchards and fields beside those who plant and nurture the crops, the book dedicated to the living memory of César Chávez: “Your example and your words sprout anew in the field rows as seedlings of quiet hope.”

In a joyful celebration of tilling, toiling and the language of nature’s bounty, the text is bilingual, with particular attention to the harmony of words and the images wrought from the earth’s palette, the cycle of growth and those who labor to carry their fruits from field to kitchen, from the hands that tend the plants to those who prepare the spicy and textured foods that grace the tables of grateful families: “In the field row lies a seed, all tucked in like a baby in the crib.”

Gathering the Sun is nothing less than stunning, saturated with color and the shared dignity of hard work, a reflection of the author and illustrator’s appreciation for all aspects of growth, from field to heart to spirit, acknowledging “honor and pride, family and friends, history and heritage, and… the bounty of the harvest.“
–Luan Gaines/2006 for Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book

papertiger.org

Whole World of ABCs and 123s
In her selection of bilingual books for reading to children, librarian Ana-Elba Pavon said of this beautiful, verse abecedario: it is “a tribute to working in the fields. A collection of poems, it includes Cesar Chavez, individual fruits and vegetables, and other Latino symbols. Use the poem under the letter “O” for “Orgullo” or “Pride” as a chant with your audience. Have them repeat each verse of the poem after you read it.” Absolutely!

Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English by the prolific author Alma Flor Ada is by definition an alphabet book, but is a tribute to working in the fields. A collection of poems, it includes Cesar Chavez, individual fruits and vegetables, and other Latino symbols. Use the poem under the letter “O” for “Orgullo” or “Pride” as a chant with your audience. Have them repeat each verse of the poem after you read it.– Marjorie Coughlan

CITATIONS

The Children’s Literature Lover’s Book of Lists by Joanna Sullivan on page 64, page 278, and page 333
Valerie & Walter’s Best Books for Children 2nd Ed : A Lively, Opinionated Guide by Walter M. Mayes on page 41, and Index
In Sweet Company: Conversations with Extraordinary Women about Living a Spiritual Life by Margaret Wolff on page 69
The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists (J-B Ed: Book of Lists) by Edward Bernard Fry on page 159
“Let’s Read : A Complete Month-by-Month Activities Program for Beginning Readers” by Elizabeth Crosby Stull in Back Matter

Image Gallery

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Daniel loves his new pet. But what will happen when it hatches a surprise? In this companion to Daniel’s Mystery Egg or El huevo misterioso de Daniel, Alma Flor Ada and G. Brian Karas team up for a heartwarming story about Daniel and his newest animal friend at an initial reading level.

Several other books by Alma Flor Ada can be discussed along side this book. Who’s Hatching Here? or ¿Quién nacerá aquí? offers the possibility to talk about animals born of eggs. A Rose with Wings or Rosa alada to talk about how interesting it is seeing a new animal come out of an egg. And The Kite or El papalote share the joy of having a pet.

G. Brian Karas has illustrated dozens of popular books, including Cinder-Elly and Sleepless Beauty by Frances Minters, Saving Sweetness and Raising Sweetness by Diane Stanley, and the HiRise Private Eyes beginning-reader series by Cynthia Rylant. He lives in Rhineback, New York. For this book he used photos of Alma Flor’s grandson Daniel to illustrate the protagonist which Daniel inspired.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

What fun it has been to be able to make my dearest grandson Daniel a protagonist of two books.

When I wrote the series Stories the Year ‘Round or Cuentos para todo el año many of the stories were inspired in my children’s childhood. As Latino children growing up in the United States some of their experiences reflected that circumstance, many others were universal, and a few were simply unique. Now, I have the blessing of being grandmother to nine children of mixed heritage, whose heritage include that of their fathers, who are both Peruvian and Cuban, and their mothers, of European ancestry with generations in the United Sates.
I enjoy making my grandchildren the protagonists of my books.

Daniel’s Pet as well as Daniel’s Mystery Egg or El huevo misterioso de Daniel honor my kind and sensitive grandson Daniel. His sister Cristina is the protagonist of Cristina and the Frog, or Cristina y la rana, and of Celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead with Cristina and Her Blue Bunny or Celebra Halloween y el Día de Muertos con Cristina y su conejito azul.

REVIEWS

Children’s Literature

Those learning to read often turn to books that explore their interests. Keeping this in mind, Harcourt last year launched a carefully designed early-reader series called “Green Light Readers” with level one (ages 4 to 6) and level two (ages 5 to 7) books. Since many kids are intrigued by animals, Daniel’s Pet heads the list. The book offers the simple words, fun rhymes and rhythms and familiar situations that can provide important cues to those trying to master reading. Alma Flor Ada’s engaging story about a little boy acquiring and caring for his pet chick is well complemented by G. Brian Karas’ whimsical illustrations. At the end, an art project and five playful questions encourage young readers to further reflect on the book, enhancing understanding and enjoyment. 2003, Harcourt, and Ages 4 to 6. (Children’s Literature — Mary Quattlebaum )

READERS’ RESPONSES

“First grade students at Franklin Elementary School in Rahway were recently visited by ‘Cooper’ the hen. Students learned all about hens and how to care for a pet when they read the story, ‘Dan’s Pet’ by Alma Flor Ada…” Read more » [New Jersey today]

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Daniel finds an egg. What kind of animal will this mystery egg hatch? Imaginations run wild as the kids in Daniel’s class guess what sort of surprise the egg has in store.

Teachers comment that this is an excellent book to practice prediction, since Daniel’s friends are actually predicting which animal may hatch from the surprising egg. Of course they are also enjoying it as a book to talk about animals who hatch from eggs.

Some teachers have paired this book with another of Alma Flor’s books: Who’s Hatching Here? — ¿Quién nacerá aquí?

G. Brian Karas has illustrated dozens of popular books, including Cinder-Elly and Sleepless Beauty by Frances Minters, Saving Sweetness and Raising Sweetness by Diane Stanley, and the HiRise Private Eyes beginning-reader series by Cynthia Rylant. He lives in Rhineback, New York. For this book he used photos of Alma Flor’s grandson Daniel to illustrate the protagonist which Daniel inspired.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

My children’s childhood has been the inspiration of many of my books. As Latino children growing up in the United States some of their experiences reflected that circumstance, many others were universal, and a few were simply unique. Now, I am the grandmother of nine children of mixed heritage, whose heritage includes that of their fathers’ who are both Peruvian and Cuban and their mothers’ of European ancestry with generations in the United Sates.

I wanted to honor my grandson Daniel, a boy of great sensitivity and kindness by making him the protagonist of this book, as of Daniel’s Pet.

REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Grade 1–2. An appealing story in which a boy finds a small white egg. He shows it to three friends, one at a time. Each child speculates as to what might be inside and how to help once it has hatched. After some waiting, what emerges is not an ostrich or an alligator or a duck, as his friends imagined, but a lizard, exactly the kind of animal Daniel predicted-“small, nice, and quiet.” Karas’s collages cover three-fourths of each spread or page and are either above or below the text. Most are in full color, with the exceptions being the illustrations that represent what the three imagine is in the egg. Those pictures are more muted and depict the kids peeking over the edges of the scenes. With large-sized type, short sentences, repeated words and phrases, and plenty of illustrations, this book is just right for beginning readers. – Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL.

Booklist

Grade 1–2. Daniel finds a little egg, puts it in a box, and shows it to his friends as they come along. The children suggest one dangerous or inconvenient animal after another that might be inside the egg, but Daniel expects a small, nice, quiet pet. To the boy’s great satisfaction, the egg hatches and a lizard emerges. Written with a simple vocabulary and growing sense of anticipation, this story will suit beginning readers well. Karas’ stylized illustrations, collages of cut paper enhanced with drawing and painting, clearly delineate between the actual and imagined scenes. A pleasing entry in the Green Light Reader series. – Carolyn Phelan

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Two traditional stories: Los tres cerditos [The Three Little Pigs] and Las semillas mágicas [Jack and the Beanstalk] have been retold in verse form by Alma Flor Ada. The verses are whimsical and provide a charming retelling of the story.

CD DESCRIPTION

The two stories contained in the book have been enriched by a third story, that of Caperucita [Little Red Riding Hood] also masterfully retold in verse by Alma Flor Ada. Suni Paz has created marvelous music turning these stories into precious songs children will enjoy listening to or singing along with. The CD is further enriched by two of Alma Flor and Suni’s signature songs, Cuéntame un cuento de hadas and Los libros son mis amigos.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The traditional tales were an important aspect of my childhood. Later I enjoyed sharing them with my four children. Retelling well-loved stories in verse was a meaningful challenge for me, since it meant uniting two of my passions, stories and poetry.

There is always a great risk that a narrative in verse will not be true poetry. And children are much too frequently fed verses that may rhyme but are not poetry. I have always felt that this pseudo-poetry can hinder the child’s understanding of what true poetry really is, with harmful consequences. This is why these renditions were created with great care. They have been blessed by having been put to music by Suni Paz.

It is also a delight to be able to offer in this CD two of the songs Suni and I have shared with teachers all over the United States encouraging them to use them with their students as a further motivation for discovering the magic of books and story. Cuéntame un cuento de hadas and Los libros son mis amigos are easy to enjoy, sing, and remember.

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

For each letter of the alphabet one poem about the ocean magnificently illustrated by Viví Escrivá. The poems vary in length and intention. Some are descriptive, some share feelings, others are whimsical and full of humor. Every one is musical and their rhythm inspired Suni Paz to turn them into songs.

CD DESCRIPTION

Every one of the poems has been turned into a song by renown composer and singer Suni Paz. Drawing on her intimate knowledge of folkloric musical traditions of Latin America and Spain, Suni has created original compositions for each of the 29 songs. This makes this CD a most generous gift.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The ocean has always been very important for me: a source of enjoyment and spiritual nourishment. Surprisingly there are not many books of poetry about the ocean available for Spanish speaking children, or children learning Spanish. It has been a joy to create these for them.

Image Gallery

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.

AVAILABLE IN BIG BOOK FORMAT

BOOK DESCRIPTION

This book offers two poems in Spanish for each letter of the alphabet. One poem centers on the featured animal, while the other focuses on the letter itself, playfully exploring associated sounds and shapes and meaningful words. Teachers and children have delighted in this book which has become one of Alma Flor’s classics, with numerous reprints both in hardcover and paperback. Viví Escrivá’s whimsical illustrations contribute to make this book a favorite welcoming present for a new born child, a special birthday present or simply a book that belongs in the library of every child who speaks, or is learning to speak, Spanish.

CD AND CASSETTE DESCRIPTION

The Abecedario CD or cassette is a wonderful complement to the book, facilitating children’s retention of the poems. Drawing on her broad knowledge of the Hispanic musical tradition, Suni Paz has turned each of the alphabet poems into a delightful song. The songs encompass a wide range of Latin American and Spanish rhythms, and provide an outstanding introduction to Latino children’s vast musical heritage. The tape also includes an original ABC song, a gift from Alma Flor and Suni to children and teachers.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The ABC has always held great appeal for me. I love that it is such a wonderful tool for organizing things. I am a lover and collector of ABC books, so it is not a surprise that I have written a few.

This particular ABC was born out of my desire to do something special for a special child, Emilio, the son of Kuki Miller and Daniel Divinski, two wonderful Argentinian friends. Emilio was visiting San Francisco for the first time, and I had been looking forward meeting this child, but fell victim to the most vicious flu. It was frustrating to be in bed and not able to meet the child and take him and his mother to see the city. To try to give him something special as a memory of his trip, I began creating poems about the letters and sharing them with him on the phone. This was the inspiration for the book.

At a different level this book is also very important to me because of the professional association with three women who have been very important in my career as an author. First, someone I hold in great esteem, Felicidad Orquín. A specialist in Children’s Literature, and a remarkable author, Felicidad was at the time the Director of the Children’s Literature Section of Espasa-Calpe in Madrid, and offered me a contract to publish this book. Since then we have become friends, but this book was out first contact. The book is the product of her vision in selecting Viví as the illustrator and establishing the parameters for the book design. The collaboration with Viví on the creation of the book has been the beginning of a long career of publishing books together. Suni Paz had already created music for some of my poems, but this was the first time we produced independently first a cassette, later a CD. Suni’s musical creations for my poems have been extraordinary joys in my life.

BOOK REVIEWS

Publishers Weekly:

Young readers will enjoy learning the alphabet as they associate the letters with the names of animals. Large, colorful illustrations and simple, clever text make this a fun and educational tool.

School Library Journal:

A wonderful collection of verses about the letters of the alphabet, including imaginative descriptions of the letters and an introduction to their sounds. The text is enhanced by beautiful watercolor illustrations.

TEACHERS’ AND CHILDREN’S RESPONSES

My great love for this book derives, of course, of the extraordinary response it has had from teachers and children. It has been wonderful to visit schools and see how children knew the poems by heart, and could recite or sing them. Once in the outstanding Author’s Fair of St. Helena’s Elementary School, in St. Helena, California, the children performed the book on stage, holding big signs with the letters and moving to a wonderful choreography. I also have versions of the book made by children. Even more exciting is the fact that many children have been inspired to write their own ABC poems after reading this book. That is the greatest of all rewards!