Latino Literature

Mice and Beans

Bibliographic data

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2001. MICE AND BEANS. Ill. by Joe Cepeda. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439183030

Brief plot summary

Rosa Maria is putting a birthday party together for her granddaughter, Catalina’s seventh birthday. However, Rosa Maria has a problem with mice in the house. While she is busy preparing, she sets out mousetraps. The next morning the mousetrap is gone. Several things such as a candle and a cloth napkin keep disappearing, too. When Catalina’s birthday arrives, Rosa Maria forgets one important thing to do for the party. However, the mice have helped her out and the party is wonderful for Catalina and the family. 

Critical analysis

The plot and setting blend in nicely with the Hispanic birthday traditions. Rosa Maria’s character combines her knowledge of the Hispanic and English language into her dialogue, but in a way that lets readers who don’t speak Spanish understand the meaning of what she is saying. Several elements in the story such as the piñata and the dinner that was not complete “without rice and beans” bring the Hispanic culture to the story and give readers the sense of what a Hispanic party is like and how important family and food are to the culture.

The illustration of Rosa Maria’s world is unique and even sometimes provides the reader with the perspective of the mice in the story. The colors used to illustrate Rosa Maria are as vibrant as the character. Rosa Maria is depicted as a friendly grandmother with red-rimmed glasses and a kind smile. Some of the Hispanic culture can also be seen in the illustrations, such as the illustration near the end of the story where the whole family is gathered. The illustration almost screams the importance of family gatherings and celebrations in the Hispanic culture. The importance of family is also shown on Rosa Maria’s walls throughout the story where pictures of family members are displayed.

Overall, the Hispanic culture is celebrated and the illustrations complement the setting of a Hispanic house and the importance of the grandmother in the culture. Several positive factors are used in the story, such as the use of the Hispanic language throughout the story, which adds a depth and richness to the story that the reader can fully enjoy and appreciate. Another positive aspect of the story is the tenderness and care that Rosa Maria takes to prepare for her granddaughter’s birthday. This draws the reader further into Rosa Maria’s world and shows them the importance of celebration in life and family.

Review excerpt(s)

Publisher’s Weekly: “The dialogue is rich in Spanish phrases ("­Qu‚ boba soy! Silly me"), descriptions of Mexican food and images of a boisterous extended family…”

Booklist: “The story is charming, but what makes it special is the quiet authenticity of the Hispanic characterizations.”

Connections

-Discuss and share birthday traditions and recreate a Hispanic birthday party.

-Discuss the similarities and differences that children have at their birthday parties and the one that Rosa Maria creates for her granddaughter.

-Further reading about Hispanic family and tradition:

Bunting, Eve. GOING HOME. ISBN 9780064435093

Cameron, Ann. MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD. ISBN 9780394804248

Cisneros, Sandra. HAIR/PELITOS. ISBN 9780679890072

Garza, Carmen Lomas. IN MY FAMILY (EN MI FAMILIA). ISBN 9780892391639

Soto, Gary. TOO MANY TAMALES. ISBN 9780698114128

Confetti Poems for Children

Bibliographic data

Mora, Pat. 1996. CONFETTI POEMS FOR CHILDREN. Ill. by Enrique O. Sanchez. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN 1880000253

Brief plot summary

The assorted poems in Confetti give the reader a feeling of life through the eyes of a Hispanic girl as she describes her experiences. The topics of family, nature, and community are described through the senses. The little girl encounters sight, hearing, smell, touch, and even taste within the poems.

Critical analysis

The poems are interspersed with Spanish words which add to the flavor of the culture. The glossary in the back of the book helps readers to not only understand the Spanish words, but also to pronounce them which is very important to a book of poetry. Moreover, the Spanish words chosen throughout the poems are not difficult for the reader to interpret. For example when the Hispanic girl is talking about

Many of the poems are very appealing to the senses such as smell in “Mexican Magician.” The Hispanic girl is watching the baker prepare his pastries and “empanadas.” She describes what she sees and smells as the “panadero” or baker prepares his pastries, “His hands brim with sweet secrets, he folds into thick fillings” (Mora, n.p.). The Hispanic words give the reader a true taste of the culture and help the reader to feel like they are watching the “panadero” as he “…cha-chas round the room” (Mora, n.p.).

Nature is also very present in the poems, such as “Leaf Soup.” The Hispanic girl describes the scene of a bird bath with “leaves spin quiet into puddles…” (Mora, n.p.). The poem uses similes  when she compares leaves to “mariposas” or butterflies. The use of “mariposas” allows the readers to really drink in the Hispanic culture.

The illustrations by Enrique O. Sanchez are bright and vivid almost as if the characters and objects depicted are in motion. The Hispanic girl is present in each of the pictures as she guides the reader throughout her world. Furthermore, Sanchez uniquely displays the elements of nature and uses the theme of the poems for his illustrations. For example, when he illustrates the sun in “Sun Song,” he uses bright colors such as orange, yellow, and white to depict the early morning sun. The colors are a little more subdued and relaxing in “Abuelita’s Lap,” as the girl is resting in her grandmother’s lap.

Overall, Pat Mora and Enrique O. Sanchez together provide a journey for the reader into the Hispanic culture. They introduce the reader to a kindly “Abuelita,” a “panadero,” a wood carver, and even bring the reader to a family celebration. All of these experiences are seen through the eyes of a little girl who welcomes the reader to her Hispanic culture.

Review excerpt(s)

School Library Journal: “The beauty of the natural world is captured in Sanchez's acrylic illustrations.”

Booklist: “Using Spanish and English, this collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read.

Kirkus Reviews: “The best of these poems that mix English and Spanish (``I say yo soy libre'') warmly evokes familiar touchstones of Mexican-American life.”

Connections

-Give children objects and materials to act out the poems and let the rest of the children guess which poem is being acted out.

-Discuss the importance of the Latino culture within the poems.

Further Latino stories to read and share:

* Pura Belpre Honor Book Award

Ada, Alma Flor. GATHERING THE SUN: AN ALPHABET IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH. ISBN 0688170676

Herrera, Juan Felipe. CALLING THE DOVES/EL CANTO DE LAS PALOMAS. ISBN 0892391669

*Perez, Amada Irma. MY DIARY FROM HERE TO THERE/MI DIARIO DE AQUI HASTA ALLA. ISBN 0892391758

Canto Familiar

Bibliographic data

Soto, Gary. 1995. CANTO FAMILIAR. Ill. by Annika Nelson. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152000674

Brief plot summary

Traditional family situations, such as mealtime and playing with siblings, are honored by Soto in Canto Familiar. Soto uses simple descriptions and comparisons to illustrate these events. The Hispanic culture is also portrayed in the brilliantly colorful illustrations by Annika Nelson.

Critical analysis

Gary Soto uses descriptions of family eating together on Sunday in “Papi’s Menudo.” Soto gives the reader a glimpse of special moments throughout the meal. Soto uses similes to help the reader picture the cozy scene at the table, such as when the father “…squeezes [t]he lemon until [i]t collapses [l]ike a clown’s frown” (Soto 2).

Furthermore, Soto uses characters that the reader can easily relate to. Especially in “Left Shoe on the Right Foot.” Soto uses simple situations that are common to families such as when the two brothers decide to wear their shoes on the wrong foot, which provides for interesting events that the boys get themselves into. Then, the brother decide to do everything backwards such as when they put their coats on backwards or when they ran backwards instead of forwards to kick the ball (Soto 11). These simple events bring the reader into the excitement of the moment.

Annika Nelson provides some very colorful illustrations to engage the reader. She uses heavy black lines to bring movement to the characters and background. The illustrations seem to be almost folksy, almost like a woodcarving.

A negative feature of the book is that Soto does not provide a glossary for the Spanish words used in the poems. It would be very helpful and enhance the meaning of the poems for the readers who do not speak Spanish. However, the Spanish words add flavor to the poems and give the reader an opportunity to experience the Hispanic culture and learn more about the language. A positive feature of the book is that the poems are written in a simple style that that doesn’t distract from what is being said.

The Hispanic culture is not dominant throughout the book; however, family situations are. The situations in the poems are such that any family would experience. The Spanish words provide the link to the Hispanic culture. Overall, the poems offer readers a traditional glimpse of family life in a Hispanic household.

Review excerpt(s)

School Library Journal: “Although the landscape may be unfamiliar, readers are guided to this Mexican-American neighborhood, welcomed inside this home, and invited to share a child’s thoughts about these universal experiences.”

Booklist: “This is a collection to read aloud and get kids writing about themselves.”

Connections

-Help children share dinnertime stories of events at their own house.

-Art project: have children use crayons to color a full page of paper. Then use black ink to roll over the paper and let it dry. Give children a pen to draw over dry ink and make a colorful family scene.

Further reading about Hispanic culture and traditions:

Blanco, Alberto. ANGEL’S KITE/LA ESTRELLA DE ANGEL. ISBN 0892391561

DeSpain, Pleanant. THE EMERALD LIZARD: FIFTEEN LATIN AMERICAN TALES TO TELL IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. ISBN 0874835526

Hayes, Joe. THE DAY IT SNOWED TORTILLAS/EL DIA QUE NEVARON TORTILLAS. ISBN 0938317768

Nye, Naomi Shihab. THE TREE IS OLDER THAN YOU ARE. ISBN 0689820879