Maria Paints the Hills [Paperback]

Pat Mora (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Real-life Santa Fe painter Maria Hesch (1909-1994) painted innocent narratives of her life as a young girl growing up along the river and next to her grandfather's alfalfa field that linked the family to the nearby church. In Maria Paints the Hills, acclaimed writer Pat Mora imagines the story of the young Maria revealed in the paintings. She is a sensitive child, alive to the colors and shapes of her world, a child who makes of her solitary playtime the companionship of her budding artful imagination.

"Look, Tia," Maria says excitedly. "See the caballitos galloping in the fire? The flames look like little horses." Pat Mora reminds us that children are the original artists.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2-6. To frame the narrative paintings of the late folk artist Maria Hesch, poet Mora has invented a simple story of a child in New Mexico: her daily life with her working-class mother and her imaginative play. Mora's plain words are eloquent, but the story does little more than say what the child sees. It's the pictures that are the focus here. Hesch's folk narratives have adult as well as child appeal, and the high-quality reproductions capture the warm interiors of the child's home and the New Mexican landscape through the seasons. Art classes will want this. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"This cherished book is the result of the collaboration of kindred spirits. It would make a lovely gift for readers of all ages." --The Santa Fe New Mexican

"..paints a charming verbal portrait from the perspective of a little girl...Maria Hesch (1909-1994) was a self-taught artist and is known as Santa Fe's Grandma Moses." --New Mexico Magazine

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890134103
• ISBN-13: 978-0890134108
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,479,163 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 Near and Dear to my heart, September 5, 2007

By 

PTO MOM - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maria Paints the Hills (Hardcover)

My great grand mother would have been pleased to see the delight this story brings to her great great grandchildren's faces. The artwork brings back many fond memories. Pat Mora couldn't have chosen a better subject . Children will love the pictures and the simple tale this book has to offer.