Module 3-Latino Picture Book Illustrated by Yuyi Morales-TWU-Multicultual Literature

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

Johnston, Tony. 2009. MY ABUELITA. Ill. by Yuyi Morales. Boston: Harcourt Children's Books. ISBN 9780152163303.

~

What a delightful surprise! I loved this little picture book! This is a story of a young boy and his grandmother. She is an incredible person and he admires her very much. This story is her preparations for going to work. She follows the same pattern each day, and he loves it. The surprise occurs at the end of the story when the reader finds out what the Abuelita's occupation is.

~

Tony Johnston is a storyteller and she writes her books sprinkled with Spanish words and a feeling of Mexico. She lived in Mexico according to the book notes, and this is where she gained her insight into this culture.

~

Yuyi Morales's illustrations are incredible. She is also a storyteller through her art, and she is an award winning author and illustrator. I was so amazed at the artwork in this book. It is vibrant and bold, and very engaging. The book notes state that "the illustrations were creaetd with polymer clay, wire, felting wool, acrylic paints, fabric, wood, metals, and Mexican crafts, then photographed and digitally manipulated." This book has to be viewed to be able to appreciate how intricate and gorgeous it is, and how well it assists in telling this beautiful story about a boy and his grandmother.

~

In examining these illustrations, there are cultural markers everywhere. The soft brown skin tones easily fit these characters. Abuelita is an old woman and she is described as "old as the hills, maybe older. Her hair is the color of salt. Her face is as crinkled as a dried chile. My abuelita is round. Robust, she says, lika a calabaza. A pumpkin. She doesn't mind. She likes pumpkins. 'Being round gives me a good round voice. Just the voice for my work'."

~

The pictures are very colorful and on almost everyone you can identify something that relates to the Mexican culture, such as a picture of Frida Kahlo on Abuelita's pillow. The cat is also named Frida Kahlo. The toys and furnishings are painted bright, bold colors with designs painted over these. The kitchen table and chairs are yellow, with placemats in multi-colors like purple, orange, green, pink, red, etc. When she is ready and dressed for work, Abuelita packs "her carcacha, or jalopy, with things she needs for work: rustling stalks of maize, a magnificient plumed snake, a king and queen as brown as beans, a calaca, skeleton; one sun; one moon; one feathered crown. "

~

There are a few Spanish words spread throughout this book, and they are mostly explained or

translated to English right beside the Spanish word. The way it is done provides an easy flow in the story for children enjoying this book. At the end of a book is a sign that says, "Bienvenidos! Welcome! hanging over the stage where the grandmother will do her work. Right after this is a picture of the stage with a sun, moon, star, colorful snake, skeleton, a variety of children with all skin tones, some dolls in Mexican culture costumes, and the top of an ancient Mexican temple.

~

This story is a wonderful one to read aloud to young children. They will be enthralled with the illustrations. There is so much to look at and so much color. The story is fun, and they will be trying to guess at what Abuelita's work is, since it is a mystery until the end of the story. The few Spanish words in the story are simple and not intimidating. This book could be paired with others about the love between a child and their grandparent. Kids will enjoy discussing this familiar topic. Also, a fun art project could be tied in with this. Many of the illustrations appear to be various types of art, and it would be fun to try and duplicate some, such as making small dolls with clay and pieces of fabric, or perhaps a long, painted wooden snake.

~

I highly recommend this book to children's librarians. It has a wonderful, simple message of familial love, and the illustrations are so creative and representative of the Mexican culture.

~

From School Library Journal

~
PreSchool-Grade 1—A boy describes the morning routine he shares with his grandmother as she prepares for work. Flights of fancy enliven the tasks of bathing, eating breakfast, and dressing. When the pair arrive at her workplace, readers discover that Abuelita is a storyteller—a calling that her grandson shares. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, often followed by brief definitions. For example, the boy says, "I live with my grandma…I call her Abuelita." Johnston effectively engages young readers' interest by mentioning the woman's work, but not revealing what she does until the final page. Morales's bold, innovative illustrations brilliantly reinforce the text. On one spread, Johnston writes that Abuelita is "robust…like a calabaza. A pumpkin." On the left, children see a cheerful, round person, while a mirror on the right shows a pumpkin with Abuelita's smiling face. The illustrations represent a fresh new direction for Morales. Characters molded from polymer clay are dressed in brightly patterned fabrics and placed among images that evoke Mexican art. Abuelita's mirror is framed by traditional metalwork, and her storytelling props include a winged serpent and a Day of the Dead skeleton. While the story is firmly placed in a Mexican context, children of all ethnic and racial backgrounds will be drawn to the eye-catching illustrations and the universal story of a loving intergenerational relationship.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY