Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish And English | 
|  | | | Title: | Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish And English | | Author: | Alma Flor Ada
Simon Silva (Illustrator) | | Publisher: | Rayo | | Type: | Book / Paperback | | Publication Date: | 01 October, 2001 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0688170676 / 9780688170677 | | List Price: | $6.99 | | Amazon Price: | $6.99 | |
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| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
In simple words and sun-drenched paintings, Alma Flor Ada and Simón Silva take us into the fields and orchards, and into the lives of the people who work them. Simple poems in Spanish and English, one for each letter of the Spanish alphabet, describe the wonder of the vegetable and fruit farms. Together, the poems and the rich illustrations celebrate the glory of nature and the hearts of all who dedicate their lives to working the land.
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Customer Reviews:
• Beautiful Book 03 January, 2008
I highly recommend this book. It has beautiful illustrations and poems, and teaches Mexican history. It is larger than I expected, which is great. A great value, I would have paid a lot more!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A5MF0KLHRVQJO
• In Praise Of Migrant Workers 22 January, 2008
This is one of the best bilingual alphabet books I've encountered. It is suitable for children of all ages, including adults. The poems written by Alma Flor Ada are symbolic and elegantly ilustrated by Simon Silva. Silva brings his farmworker roots to his illustrations in this life of the harvester themed book. I can't say enough about the illustrations, suffice to say, they are simple yet stunning colorful depictions of the farmworkers life. This is first and foremost a Spanish alphabet book, with an English translation; it begins with Arboles and Trees, which as you may note are not exactly both A words. Besides the excellent ilustrations, brilliant author (she has a PHD, has done postdoctoral work at Harvard and is a Fullbright Scholar), DR. Aida brings to life the alphabet with her insightful poetry. She uses simple language to convey matters of the earth and a rich cultural heritage. Not overly flowery, her use of language is one that evokes the simplicity and toughness of the life of the farmworker. Her educational and lifetime experiences, reflected in some of her some of her books like A Magical Encounter: Latino Children's Literature in the Classroom (2nd Edition),Under The Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba extend from a broad palette of knowledge that is dedicated to children. This book is one that every child can benefit from, regardless of race. Families, teachers and students will love this book. It is a book to be cherished from one generation to the next. This book belongs in all young bilingual families homes, community and school(K-12) libraries. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this gorgeous, soulful book.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AO4A961ZKHJPL
• "in The Field Row Lies A Seed, All Tucked In Like A Baby In The Crib." 11 June, 2006
This brilliantly illustrated bilingual book is a delightful adventure into the world of language and art, "simple words and sun-drenched paintings", as Alma Flor Ada and Simon Silva take young readers into orchards and fields, alongside the people who harvest the bounty of nature, dedicated to the living memory of Cesar Chavez: "Your example and your words sprout anew in the field rows as seedlings of quiet hope." The illustrated alphabet is Spanish, text in both Spanish and English: arboles (trees) "the companions of my childhood"; duraznos (peaches) "like a gentle caress in the palm of my hand"; tomates (tomatoes) "red tomato in the kitchen, in the little tacos my godmother loves to make"; zanahoria (carrot) "The carrot hides beneath the earth. After all, she knows the sun's fiery color by heart."
Nothing less than a celebration of a shared heritage of working the land and the language of nature's bounty, the bilingual text is rendered with an eye to the beauty of words and the images wrought from the earth's palette, a rich history of the cycle of growth and those who labor to carry their fruits from field to kitchen, from the hands that toil upon the land to those that prepare the rich foods that grace the tables of grateful families. Saturated with vivid color and the dignity of hard work, Gathering the Sun is nothing less than brilliant, a reflection of the author and illustrator's appreciation for all aspects of growth, from field to heart to spirit, acknowledging "honor and pride, family and friends, history and heritage, and... the bounty of the harvest." Luan Gaines/2006.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2MF2QVSCUI27G
• Informative Quality Product 11 May, 2008
I bought this book as part of my project assignment. I liked the fact that it was both in Spanish and in English. It teaches the Spanish alphabet through beautiful illustrations of the Mexican culture and farm workers. It is first class print and one can tell that much time and effort went into the preparation of the book. However, I did not like the fact that 'happy' farm workers covered most of the pages. I believe it is stereotyping the Hispanic population to some degree and as someone who has also worked in the farms under the blazing sun, I wasn't smiling most of the time... Overall, I recommend the book provided that parents/teachers exercise caution while using it because of its stereotypical elements.
- Reviewed by customer ID: ATIPU80ZYEUR3
• Celebrate Latin Heritage And Honor The Work Of Farm Workers 03 March, 2007
Right away, one can see that this is much more than your run-of-the-mill alphabet books. Two extremely talented people, author Alma Flor Ada and Simon Silva, collaborate on 28 short poems that celebrate the pride of the Latino familes that work the fields as migrant farmworkers. In fact, this book is dedicated to the memory of Cesar Chavez. Alma Flor Ada has written extensively on what it is like to be a Latina immigrant in such books as "Me Llamo Isabel," and Simon Silva has illustrated such like-themed books as "La Mariposa" and "El Campo."
The poems tell of the harvest, from Arboles (trees) to Zanahoria (carrot), with C and Ch telling the story of Cesar Chavez. The poems are both in English and Spanish; in both languages, the verse is rendered with great sensitivity. The beautiful illustrations convey not only the hard work of the fields, but also beauty and hope, not to mention a strong and serene sense of family. The people give thanks to the wind, sky, rain, sun, field, flower, and Earth for all the delicious fruits, while extoling honor, both in hard work and caring in the family. I can think of few other books that tell of these things, which most people take for granted, more beautifully.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AVZJCL0J6I34T
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