Alejandro's Gift [Hardcover]

Richard Albert (Author), Sylvia Long (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

An uplifting story with an environmental lesson that will prompt both children and adults to look at the world around them in a new way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his first children's book, octogenarian Albert uses the appealing story of a lonely man as the framework for an edifying lesson on desert wildlife. Living in a remote adobe house, with only his burro for a companion, Alejandro is delighted when a squirrel appears in his garden one day and eventually returns with more visitors--jackrabbits, roadrunners, cactus wrens--all realistically portrayed by Long ( Ten Little Rabbits ; Fire Race ). Realizing that it is the water in his garden that attracts the small creatures, Alejandro decides to dig a water hole to accommodate the larger desert animals, like the coyotes, javelinas and bobcats. Puzzled when they seem to ignore the water, Alejandro finally realizes that the hole is too close to his house and the road. So the kind man digs another, more sheltered, water hole, and his offering to the animals and their inadvertent gift of company are mutually appreciated. Detailed pictures and descriptions of Alejandro's animal neighbors are provided on the final spread, allowing readers to become better acquainted with the creatures that Long works into her polished paintings, which impressively recreate the muted colors and varied textures of the desert. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Alejandro, a man in his 60s, lives in a small adobe house beside an isolated desert road. His only companion is a burro. To ease his loneliness, he tends to his garden. One day, a ground squirrel approaches the garden to drink from its furrows, followed by wood rats, pocket gophers, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, pocket mice, roadrunners, gila woodpeckers, and thrashers. Time passes more quickly, and Alejandro enjoys his new companions. However, he soon realizes that they come to him for water, not for company, and sets out to dig a water hole for them. Albert's simple and poetic text evokes the silence and emptiness in Alejandro's life. He grows to understand his interdependence with the land and its creatures as he lives among them. Long's rich, detailed, and realistically rendered pictures provide the perfect visual setting to an already memorable tale. The colorfully illustrated glossary of flora and fauna is informative. An ideal book to develop in readers an appreciation for the beauty of the desert and its inhabitants.
Graciela Italiano, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1st edition (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811804364
• ISBN-13: 978-0811804363
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,833,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children's book Love of Nature, March 23, 2000

By 

Shirley Marquardt II (Austin Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alejandro's Gift (Hardcover)

Our children love this book. They have learned to appreciate the nature that is around them every day. An understanding of things that are not wild (the garden) and the things that are wild in the desert/ your backyard.

This year our 3 year old has planted Alejandro's garden, so the wild nature would come to vist. Sunflowers, lettuce, beans and carrots. So far we have enjoyed the birds, bees and butterflies, but we are waiting for the wild ones.

An easy read for 1-5 year olds that may peak their interest in the outdoors. By the way, make sure you are in shape Alejandro's spirit likes BIG gardens.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful "Gift", November 23, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alejandro's Gift (Paperback)

"Alejandro's Gift" combines a story by Richard E. Albert with illustrations by Sylvia Long. Together they tell the story of Alejandro, a man who lives in an adobe house beside a lonely desert road. His only companion is a burro.

When Alejandro plants a vegetable garden, his home is soon visited by small animals who drink from his irrigation furrows. Delighted by the appearance of these creatures, Alejandro conceives a project on a slightly larger scale.

The realistic illustrations of this book are full of life. The animals and plants, as well as Alejandro himself, are captured beautifully. Alejandro's gentleness, thoughtful nature, and hard-working spirit are wonderfully brought to life. The pictures and text together offer a good message about respect for nature.

The book ends with a short "mini-encyclopedia" that names and illustrates animals and plants of the southwestern United States: mesquite, saguaro cactus, the sage sparrow, the collared peccary, and more. An educational and heartwarming book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good bed time story, July 4, 2001

By 

Summer Belle "Word Affectionado" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alejandro's Gift (Paperback)

Alejandro is lonley living in the desert. By accident, he learns that if he plants a garden, animals come for the water and shade and Alejandro's lonliness is lessened.

But later, Alejandro learns that gifts given (the garden) makes the gifts received (the company) all the more sweeter.

"Alejandro's Gift" is a quiet book - no need for funny voices or wild antics. It makes a great bed time story or a great "snuggle with your kids on a rainy day" book.

This can also provide a nice way to discuss nature and preservation with your children.

There are lots of interesting things to look at in the illustrations. I read this to a group of school agers and they all enjoyed looking at the pictures and trying to identify all the different animals. We live far away from any desert, so many of these animals were unfamiliar to us.

This is a good book and I definitly recommend it.