Book: Too Many Tamales
Author: Gary Soto
Illustrator: Ed Martinez
Genre: Multicultural
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: Kindergarten - 3rd
Summary:
Maria and her family are preparing for the Christmas feast by making Tamales. Maria wanted to be grown-up like her mom, so she dressed like her, put on lipstick and perfume, and just had one thing left. That one thing missing is her mom's wedding ring. Maria had been glancing at her mom's diamond ring on the counter and couldn't resist the urge to see it wrapped around her tiny fingers. As they continue to make the tamales, Maria forgets that she is still wearing the ring and doesn't feel it disappear into the dough. It wasn't until much later that she realizes it's gone until she is upstairs playing with her cousins. They automatically run to the kitchen as Maria thinks that the ring must be in the tamales while she was kneading the masa. Right that instant, Maria and her cousins eat all the tamales that were on the table, ripping off husk after husk. Sadly, none of them felt anything hard like a ring inside the tamales while they were eating, so they didn't find it. Maria finally decides to confront her mom about the ring she had lost and gathers up the courage before tugging on her mother's sleeve. Maria let out a huge gasp when she found the ring laying right on her mother's finger. Everything is fine in the end and Maria helps her family make a fresh batch of Tamales for them to eat. Maria let out a laugh of relief and enjoyed herself on the Christmas night with her family and cousins.
Author: Gary Soto
Illustrator: Ed Martinez
Genre: Multicultural
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: Kindergarten - 3rd
Summary:
Maria and her family are preparing for the Christmas feast by making Tamales. Maria wanted to be grown-up like her mom, so she dressed like her, put on lipstick and perfume, and just had one thing left. That one thing missing is her mom's wedding ring. Maria had been glancing at her mom's diamond ring on the counter and couldn't resist the urge to see it wrapped around her tiny fingers. As they continue to make the tamales, Maria forgets that she is still wearing the ring and doesn't feel it disappear into the dough. It wasn't until much later that she realizes it's gone until she is upstairs playing with her cousins. They automatically run to the kitchen as Maria thinks that the ring must be in the tamales while she was kneading the masa. Right that instant, Maria and her cousins eat all the tamales that were on the table, ripping off husk after husk. Sadly, none of them felt anything hard like a ring inside the tamales while they were eating, so they didn't find it. Maria finally decides to confront her mom about the ring she had lost and gathers up the courage before tugging on her mother's sleeve. Maria let out a huge gasp when she found the ring laying right on her mother's finger. Everything is fine in the end and Maria helps her family make a fresh batch of Tamales for them to eat. Maria let out a laugh of relief and enjoyed herself on the Christmas night with her family and cousins.
Evaluation & Comments:
I really liked this book a lot! I think a lot of students can relate to this story, especially the students of the culture. The multicultural component was very nice to see and having this in the classroom lets the students feel like their culture is included. One message that this book has is that it is okay to make mistakes, you should tell your parents even when you might be scolded. Especially at this age range, it is the time where students may be reluctant to speak up to their parents because they're not rebellious yet. Through this book, they communication is important with your parents. At the end of the day, you are their children and they love you and they will always want to help/forgive you in times like this. For during a read aloud, the students can guess what will happen next before the page is flipped.
Comments
Post a Comment