Listen to the Desert/Oye Al Desierto [Hardcover]

Pat Mora (Author), Francisco X. Mora (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

"A bilingual account of some of the animals and sounds commonly found in the Southwestern desert. Each double-page spread depicts a vast expanse of light blue sky with four lines of text--two in English and two in Spanish--on the verso, and a different creature or scene on the recto. . . . The translations are appropriate and provide an excellent opportunity to compare the sounds in the two languages. . . . The illustrations evoke Native American art in shapes and colors, and the bottoms of the pages are adorned with geometric designs. This book is a good choice for reading aloud; young audiences will enjoy the predictable, repetitive text, and its bilingual format enhances its appeal in a variety of multicultural settings."--School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In each spread of this paean to the desert, its various treasures among them a toad, coyote, rain dance and wind all get a rhythmic, drum-like phrase, repeated in English and Spanish, plus a soft watercolor rendering. Ages 3-7.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

A very simple text, with each line (``Listen to coyote call, ar-ar-aooo, ar-ar-aooo/El coyote canta, ah£££, ah£££, ah£££''; ``Listen to the wind spin, zoom, zoom, zoom...'') repeated twice in English plus twice in Spanish, becomes a rhythmic, lyrical bilingual chant suggesting the onomatopoeic powers of both tongues. Owl, dove, toad, snake, fish, mice, and rain complete a roster, supplemented by spreads whose pleasingly spare designs feature handsomely stylized figures beneath a mellow sky. A brightly decorative geometric motif runs through the pages to tie it all together. An attractive book for introducing the desert- -and a second language--to young children. (Picture book. 2-7) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (April 18, 1994)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0395672929
• ISBN-13: 978-0395672921
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,760,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pat Mora, born in El Paso, Texas, is an award-winning poet and author of books for adults, teens, and children. Her awards include a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Golden Kite Award, American Library Association Notable Book Awards, and honorary doctorates. A former teacher and university administrator, she is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños / El día de los libros, Children's Day / Book Day (Día). The year-long commitment to linking all children to books, languages and cultures, and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in celebrations across the country in April. Pat lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and invites you to visit her at www.patmora.com and http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound and image in perfect harmony, April 22, 2007

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Listen to the Desert/Oye Al Desierto (Paperback)

This El Paso, Texas-born author has lived many years in the desert, attuned to the sounds of the desert in both English and Spanish. Her love of this part of the country is evident in this elegant story that consists of the repetitive sounds of the owl, the toad, the hiss of the snake, the coo of the dove and the call of the coyote. Fish, mice, rain and wind add to nature's subtle symphony, but none of these sounds would be quite as memorable without the marvelous illustrations of Francisco X Mora. The artist brings the desert to life in his marvelous depictions of the animals in their natural habitat, all of them part of the grand vistas of nature's palette. In Spanish and English, text and artwork merge in a book that is a joy to share with early readers, a great adventure and an introduction into the world of words and nature's bounty, learning the language of the desert, sound and image in perfect harmony. Luan Gaines/2007.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great repetition and introduction to Spanish!, January 9, 2007

By 

J. Simpson (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Listen to the Desert/Oye Al Desierto (Paperback)

My 2 1/2 year old son received this book from his aunt. He immediately enjoyed the repetition and has begun reciting the English and Spanish phrases while giggling too. His reaction to this unique book has been a welcome surprise so I am now seeking more books like this.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun kids book, August 7, 2002

By 

WATERTOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listen to the Desert/Oye Al Desierto (Paperback)

Great bi-lingual starter book. Nicely illustrated! A sweet book!