Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers [School & Library Binding]

Pat Mora (Editor), Paula S. Barragan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Pat Mora edited and contributed to this beautiful and celebratory collection, in which thirteen poets write with joy, humor, and love about the powerful bond between mothers, grandmothers, and children. These poets represent a wide spectrum of Latino voices, from award-winning authors to a 15-year-old new talent. They write passionately about their Puerto Rican, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Mexican American backgrounds and the undeniable influence of their mothers and grandmothers. Illustrated with exuberance by Ecuadorian artist Paula S. Barragán M., Love to Mamá is sure to be embraced and treasured by everyone who wants to recognize mothers as one of our universal role models.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Happy Mother's DayA dozen poems pay homage to mothers as well as abuelitas (grandmothers) in Love to Mam : A Tribute to Mothers edited by Pat Mora, illus. by Paula S. Barrag n M. "Las abuelitas" by Virgil Su rez conjures images of life in Cuba with metaphors that link gourds, pi¤atas and maracas. Francisco X. Alarc¢n's "My Grandma Is Like a Flowering Cactus/Mi abuelita es como un nopal en flor," set off as bilingual bookends to a festive-bright illustration of grandmother and grandson, offers readers an opportunity to hear the exquisite rhymes in their original language. The artwork, computer-enhanced images of cut-paper collage with thick black outlines, plays up the verdant greens of lush oceanside settings and Cuban landscapes while also conveying the warmth between the generations.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up-In a beautiful tribute to mothers, grandmothers, and care-giving women, 13 poets write with joy, humor, and love about the maternal bond. Representing a wide spectrum of Latino voices, the poets range from award-winning authors (Francisco X. Alarc-n, Mora) to a 15-year-old newcomer (Cristina Mu-iz Mutchler). Without exception, the poems are, in their differing forms and voices, of superb literary quality, making effective use of rhythm and meter. While cultural heritage provides a fundamental context, the universality of emotions expressed makes this a book with broad applicability and appeal. Barrag n's bright, bold illustrations are a fitting complement to the selections. Rendered in pencil, cut paper, and gouache, and computer enhanced, they express the varying moods of the poems-from vitality and joie de vivre to sadness and pathos-with precision, force, and grace. Wonderful for reading aloud or for enjoying quietly alone, this is that rare book that will resonate across age ranges and cultures to appeal to the common human experience. A tour de force.-Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584300191
• ISBN-13: 978-1584300199
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,791,597 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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Better Way to Say "I Love You" to Mama and Abuelita, April 6, 2001

By 

Daniel Olivas (West Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers (School & Library Binding)

Okay, I admit it: I'm biased here. I was lucky enough to have one of my poems accepted for this beautiful anthology of poems by Latina/o writers honoring mothers and grandmothers. But, setting aside my small contribution (I receive no royalties...I've already been paid!), this beautifully produced collection not only includes work from some of our most treasured Latina/o writers (Virgil Suarez, Pat Mora, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Francisco X. Alarcon, to name a few of the thirteen contributors), but each poem is handsomely illustrated by Ecuadorian artist, Paula Barragan, who uses bright, inviting colors and images that draw both young and old into each poem. Because most of the authors use a little Spanish, the book includes an easy-to-read glossary with a pronunciation key. Despite being aimed at the younger reader, adults will enjoy this collection as they read it to their children because each poem will conjure up memories of the love, joy and comfort given by mothers and grandmothers. Though this book just came out, it has already received rave reviews including one from the venerable Kirkus Reviews. It is a perfect gift for Mother's Day!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm celebration of mamas y abuelas, August 17, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers (School & Library Binding)

"Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers," edited by Pat Mora, is anthology of poems by Latino authors (Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Venezuelan). Each poem celebrates mothers and/or grandmothers. The poems are accompanied by the wonderful illustrations of Ecuador native Paula S. Barragan M.

These poems celebrate relationships, food, bilingualism, and family history. Some of my favorite selections include Cristina Muniz Mutchler's "Mi abuela" ("Many grandmothers like to bake cookies and cakes / mi abuela likes to make tortillas y empenadas"), Rane Arroyo's "My Tongue is Like a Map" ("Sometimes I dream in English and Spanish"), and Mimi Chapra's "Mi mama cubana" ("When mi mama cubana cooks arroz con pollo, / her smile is wider than a slice of watermelon"). Many other authors are featured, including Judith Ortiz Cofer and Francisco X. Alarcon.

This book is an excellent tribute to both Latino cultures and to mothers and grandmothers. Barragan's richly colored illustrations crackle with energy, and can also be very tender. Highly recommended to anyone with fond memories of a mother and/or grandmother, regardless of the reader's own cultural heritage.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Care for Our Mamas . . ., July 27, 2001

By 

Joey Rodriguez (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers (School & Library Binding)

This a wonderful poetry/picture book anthology by Pat Mora. The poems are full of music and picture, and the illustrations are vibrant and add to the reader's creativity and imagination.

Clearly, the poet-anthologist selected the poems with great care. (I suppose the labor was something like finding the beads to make the necklace, the glowing pearl necklace.) Mora's selection demonstrates her keen insight when it comes to the diversity of U.S. Latinas/os. The poems speak to the strength of our mothers and grandmothers and their amazing wonderfulness. Daily, as these poems describe, our Mamas surprise us with their love.

The poem "Abuelita Wears a Dress" by award-winning poet Rigoberto Gonzalez merits re-reading for its imagery, lyricism, and tickle.

This was one of the most wonderful gifts I received upon graduation in May, 2001. I hug this book after I read it to the little ones. And adults, too. Thank you, Pat Mora.