The Tortilla Factory [Paperback]

Gary Paulsen (Author), Ruth Paulsen (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

In clear and eloquent language, Gary Paulsen pays tribute to a cycle of life--from seed to plant to tortilla. Workers till the black soil, operate the clanking machinery of the factory, and drive the trucks that deliver the tortillas back into the hands that will plant the yellow seeds. With Ruth Wright Paulsen’s expressive paintings, The Tortilla Factory brings forth the poetry and beauty of a simple way of life. “This title is beautiful to look at, and will also fit nicely into units on food, regional culture, art, and many other topics.”--School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This simple prose poem describes, in broad strokes, how corn is harvested and made into tortillas while rough, warm-toned paintings set the scenes. All ages.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 6^-9. Using simple yet evocative language, Paulsen tells young readers how a corn seed eventually becomes a tortilla. "The black earth sleeps in winter . . .," but in the spring, it is worked by brown hands that plant the yellow seeds. Seeds become plants, and then the corn is ground into flour and sent to the tortilla factory. The flour disks come off the machine, are packaged, and eventually arrive in kitchens--" to be wrapped around juicy beans and eaten by white teeth, to fill a round stomach and give strength to the brown hands that work the black earth." This circular telling works nicely with the strong, attractive paintings that get texture from their linen surface. The simplicity of the text does raise a few questions, however. For instance, is the dough really kneaded by hand after it has been mixed by machinery? Although this may have select appeal, it's an interesting and attractive offering. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016988
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016982
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 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: #50,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Paulsen, Gary
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Cooking
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Hispanic & Latino

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HONORING THE CYCLE OF LIFE, April 18, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tortilla Factory (Paperback)

Simply but movingly Gary Paulsen honors the cycle of life. Beginning with the earth, the seeds, and then the plants, he traces the making of flour and then bread.

Thirty-two illustrations in ripe harvest colors add a richness to his story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teacher Book, November 30, 2008

By 

K. Westcott (Woodbridge, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tortilla Factory (Paperback)

This book works very well for teaching human, natural and capital resources to third graders. We read the book aloud, and then went back and categorized all the resources used to make a tortilla.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely story, May 14, 2002

By 

Rebecca Butcher (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tortilla Factory (Paperback)

I found this at our local library and it's one of my 3 year old son's favorite books. I've now bought a copy because he knew it by heart after we returned our library copy. I've read other Gary Paulsen books and have enjoyed them as well, but this simple story with it's beautiful illustrations is one of our family favorites.