Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish And English (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Simon Silva (Illustrator) "Companeros de mi infancia, hermosos gigantes verdes..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 5?An alphabet book with exceptional illustrations and excellent poetry that gives voice to the experience of Hispanic agricultural workers. Each letter is matched with a Spanish word (for example, "Arboles" for "A") and accompanied by a poem in both Spanish and English that describes how the plant, fruit, vegetable, person, or feeling functions in the lives of these workers. Zubizarreta's English translations are informed and graceful, but predictably cannot match the Spanish originals in rhythm, assonance, or meter. Silva's vibrant, double-page, gouache illustrations are reminiscent of the artwork of Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. The colors are brilliant, and the scope has a certain larger-than-life sense to it. This is a book that begs to be read aloud to all students, whether they are Spanish speaking or not. The sound of the poems will draw them in. The touching elegy for Cesar Chavez successfully imparts the impact of a heroic man on his people. Whether used to show the plight of migrant workers or the pride Hispanic laborers feel in their heritage, this is an important book.?Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Using the Spanish alphabet as a template, Ada has written 27 poems that celebrate both the bounty of the harvest and the Mexican heritage of the farmworkers and their families. The poems, presented in both Spanish and English, are short and simple bursts of flavor: "Árboles/Trees," "Betabel/Beet," "César Chávez," etc. Silva's sun-drenched gouache paintings are robust, with images sculpted in paint. Brimming with respect and pride, the book, with its mythic vision of the migrant farm worker, will add much to any unit on farming or Mexican American heritage. Annie Ayres --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Rayo; Bilingual edition (October 9, 2001)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0688170676
• ISBN-13: 978-0688170677
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Libros en español > Literatura y ficción > Poesía
  #19 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Spanish
  #33 in	Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > Bebes a 3 años

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The colors and mood of the book is earth-embracing., November 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English (Hardcover)

I found this book to be breath taking in color and content. My childhood came rushing back and many memories. The symbolism in portraying Cesar Chavez and the earth as one was well done. The colors portrayed the warmth of the content. Excellent!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gathering in the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English, December 11, 2001

By	Blanca Escobedo "oe3bs" (Medford, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English (Hardcover)

This is a must have for any chicano especially with kids. It is a magnificant piece of art that allows us to talk to our kids and others about our latino heritage in the agricultural fields of America. I bought this book because I am a fan of Simon Silva's art work and this book is like having a selection of his prints to display on the coffee table instead of the wall. It is a great conversational piece as art or history, as a tool to teach our personal heritage or as an educational piece for those of different ethnic backgrounds, and last but not least it is great for young and old. I love it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Work of Art, September 9, 2000

By	"sahrabear" (McMinnville, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English (Hardcover)

This book is not only a wonderful cultural asset it is very pleaseing to the eyes and the spirit. Children will learn valuable knowledge about the cultures the surround us and not even know they are leaning, beacause of all the beautiful drawings. You will read this again and again. I often use just one page in storytime and it sparks a whole hour of interest.