Gathering the Sun

by Alma Flor Ada

Best-selling Book !
NCSS/CBC Notable Book in the field of Social Studies
Once Upon A World Book Award 1998
Pura Belpré Honor Book 1997
NCTE Notable Book in Language Arts

The author’s many years of work with migrant families inspired this poetic ABC of the fields, and Simón Silva’s magnificent illustrations have created a work of art to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. (K-12).

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.

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  

Citations : The Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists by Joanna Sullivan on page 64, page 278, and page 333
Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children 2nd Ed : A Lively, Opinionated Guide by Walter M. Mayes on page 41, and Index
In Sweet Company: Conversations with Extraordinary Women about Living a Spiritual Life by Margaret Wolff on page 69
The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists (J-B Ed: Book of Lists) by Edward Bernard Fry on page 159
Let's Read : A Complete Month-by-Month Activities Program for Beginning Readers by Elizabeth Crosby Stull in Back Matter

Available at : www.delsolbooks.com and 1-888-335-7651.
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