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Laughing Tomatoes/Jitomates risuenos: And Other Spring Poems/Y otros poemas de primavera
Tomatoes laugh, chiles explode, and tortillas applaud the sun. With joy and tenderness, delight and sadness, Frances X. Alarcón's poems honor life and nature: welcoming the morning sun, remembering his grandmother's songs, paying tribute to children working in the fields, and dreaming of a world filled with gardens.
Artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invites readers to experience the poems with her lively cast of characters - including a spirited grandma, four vivacious children, and playful pets who tease and delight. Follow them from page to page as they bring each poem to colorful life. Laughing Tomatoes is a verbal and visual treat, giving readers eighteen opportunities to see everything for the first time.
Artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invites readers to experience the poems with her lively cast of characters - including a spirited grandma, four vivacious children, and playful pets who tease and delight. Follow them from page to page as they bring each poem to colorful life. Laughing Tomatoes is a verbal and visual treat, giving readers eighteen opportunities to see everything for the first time.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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April 24, 2017This poetry book features many poems centered around spring in a hispanic culture. A unique aspect of this book is that every poem is also translated in Spanish. The authors based the themes of the poems off of her childhood and included in the afterward that she began writing poems from the songs her grandma used to sing. The book has elaborate illustrations that are very detailed and somewhat abstract. The illustrations, to me, make the book more fun to read. I would use this book in 3rd or 4th grade.
You could use this book to teach your poetry unit. Since there are so many samples, you could compare aspects of certain poems and look at patterns between them. This book would also most likely be engaging for ELL or students who are interested in learning Spanish. I think this would be a good asset to have in a classroom library.
I said this was a WOW book because of the amount of poems, the translations from english to spanish, as well as the illustrations.
You could use this book to teach your poetry unit. Since there are so many samples, you could compare aspects of certain poems and look at patterns between them. This book would also most likely be engaging for ELL or students who are interested in learning Spanish. I think this would be a good asset to have in a classroom library.
I said this was a WOW book because of the amount of poems, the translations from english to spanish, as well as the illustrations.
January 19, 2024
✭ 𝟐/𝟓
these save my lifeee
(school book 🎓.)
these save my lifeee
(school book 🎓.)
May 6, 2015
Laughing Tomatoes: And Other Spring Poems/Jitomates risuenos: y otros poemas de primavera by Francisco Alarcón celebrates an appreciation of nature’s resources: a boy wakes up to the morning sun warming his bed, there is an ode to corn, and a prayer for a fallen tree. There is a poem about strawberries that recognizes children who work in the fields, followed by a poem that describes how the children planted an oak tree “more bountiful with time” that had “open arms for grown up’s and children” with the features and spirit of Cesar Chávez, planted on his birthday.
The pages are filled with joy and vibrancy; the characters are always in motion, swinging, jumping, dancing, planting, and singing. As is made apparent by the title, laughing is a major element of the story, and it creates a playful and happy tone. The reader sees smiles all around, including from the animals and even the green grassy hills!
The story highlights the importance of family and ancestral wisdom in the poems “Roots,” “My Grandma’s Songs,” and “Other Voices.” The book ends optimistically, with the children dreaming that “no school or church was without a garden” and “people greeted each other with flowers.” The author’s afterword includes a beautiful metaphor describing how a collection of poetry is like a tomato plant, “from a small seed it sprouts, then grows and grows…they need good care and tending…and grow in many forms and shapes.”
This is a very positive book for students because it encourages them to be responsible to and grateful for the natural environment. It portrays gardening as a fun activity that allows people to connect with the earth as well as with their ancestors. It reminds them of the origin of food, the labor that goes into it, and the beauty behind all that it takes to be made. The power of poetry and language is highlighted throughout the book and in the afterword, which can inspire students to create their own poetry and perhaps start a garden of their own.
To read our full review including links to classroom resources, visit the Vamos a Leer blog at http://tiny.cc/vamosaleer
The pages are filled with joy and vibrancy; the characters are always in motion, swinging, jumping, dancing, planting, and singing. As is made apparent by the title, laughing is a major element of the story, and it creates a playful and happy tone. The reader sees smiles all around, including from the animals and even the green grassy hills!
The story highlights the importance of family and ancestral wisdom in the poems “Roots,” “My Grandma’s Songs,” and “Other Voices.” The book ends optimistically, with the children dreaming that “no school or church was without a garden” and “people greeted each other with flowers.” The author’s afterword includes a beautiful metaphor describing how a collection of poetry is like a tomato plant, “from a small seed it sprouts, then grows and grows…they need good care and tending…and grow in many forms and shapes.”
This is a very positive book for students because it encourages them to be responsible to and grateful for the natural environment. It portrays gardening as a fun activity that allows people to connect with the earth as well as with their ancestors. It reminds them of the origin of food, the labor that goes into it, and the beauty behind all that it takes to be made. The power of poetry and language is highlighted throughout the book and in the afterword, which can inspire students to create their own poetry and perhaps start a garden of their own.
To read our full review including links to classroom resources, visit the Vamos a Leer blog at http://tiny.cc/vamosaleer
April 29, 2015
Laughing Tomatoes/Jitomates risuenos: And Other Spring Poems/Y otros poemas de primavera
Francisco X. Alarcón
This book is made up of eighteen different poems. The poems are centered on the season of spring, and they are written in both English and Spanish. The poems are pretty simple, and they are written about things like rain, tortillas, and the sunrise. The illustrations are very bright and colorful, and show the reader a culture that might be different from their own. This poetry book would be good to have in a classroom because of the way that it offers two different languages for the same story. This way, students could pick up words from either language by just reading the poems. This book would be a really great resource to have in an English Language Learners or English as a Second Language environment again because of it's two languages. It would be a good book for an ELL or ESL student to read, especially if their native language is Spanish, because they would be able to compare the languages and see the translations. This book could also be used for older kids, even in high school, in a Spanish classroom.
December 4, 2018
Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems is a poetry picture book filled with 18 vibrant poems relating to the beauty of Spring. From the dew in the night to the morning sun, everything is brought to life through the poems. From tortillas to chile, beauty is within it all.
Francisco X. Alarcon brings to life everyday spring beauties that we tend to overlook. From his free verse poetry to the colorful illustrations that take up the entire page, every poem is brought to life. Regardless of how long or how short each poem is, there is power in each punch. Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
This poetry book can be paired with other poetry books written by Francisco X. Alarcon such as From the Belly Button of the Moon/Del Ombligo de la Luna. They all follow the same theme of having the same poem written in both Spanish and English on a page.
Poem: Universal Spiral: there are/ no endings/ just new/ beginnings - Espiral Universal: no hay/ finales/ solo nuevos/ principios.
I think this would be a good poem to get students thinking at a higher level. This poem is so broad yet so powerful at the same time. Students can be asked to come up with their own interpretations to this poem before coming back for a discussion, or even be asked to answer a writing prompt on their interpretation of the poem. However used, this poem is sure to evoke many different reactions.
Francisco X. Alarcon brings to life everyday spring beauties that we tend to overlook. From his free verse poetry to the colorful illustrations that take up the entire page, every poem is brought to life. Regardless of how long or how short each poem is, there is power in each punch. Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
This poetry book can be paired with other poetry books written by Francisco X. Alarcon such as From the Belly Button of the Moon/Del Ombligo de la Luna. They all follow the same theme of having the same poem written in both Spanish and English on a page.
Poem: Universal Spiral: there are/ no endings/ just new/ beginnings - Espiral Universal: no hay/ finales/ solo nuevos/ principios.
I think this would be a good poem to get students thinking at a higher level. This poem is so broad yet so powerful at the same time. Students can be asked to come up with their own interpretations to this poem before coming back for a discussion, or even be asked to answer a writing prompt on their interpretation of the poem. However used, this poem is sure to evoke many different reactions.
March 16, 2014
"Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems" by Francisco X. Alarcón is a book of poems about spring. Each poem is written in both English and Spanish and complimented by beautiful illustrations. Poems range from talking about the morning sun to strawberries to Cinco de Mayo. Some of the poems are short as eight words and some are as long as eight stanzas, but all of the words in the poem seem to be appropriate for elementary aged kids. I especially liked the "Laughing Tomatoes/Jitomates risueños" poem. It was relatable to me because it brought back memories of planting tomatoes with my grandma when I was younger.
As a teacher, I might use this book at the beginning of each spring. Some of the poems would be great for whole class read-alouds and some would be better for independent reading. I might use this as a class read-aloud in the younger grades, but it is too simple for a class read-aloud for the upper elementary grades. This book talks about Spanish culture and is great for including Spanish-speaking students. I might have my students read a poem of their choice from the book in English and Spanish, then research more about that part of Spanish culture and write about it. They could also write their own poems about their memories of spring.
As a teacher, I might use this book at the beginning of each spring. Some of the poems would be great for whole class read-alouds and some would be better for independent reading. I might use this as a class read-aloud in the younger grades, but it is too simple for a class read-aloud for the upper elementary grades. This book talks about Spanish culture and is great for including Spanish-speaking students. I might have my students read a poem of their choice from the book in English and Spanish, then research more about that part of Spanish culture and write about it. They could also write their own poems about their memories of spring.
April 9, 2016
1 - Child Poetry or Drama Anthology Laughing Tomatoes by Francisco X. Alarcon
Recipient of the Pura Belpre Honor, this collection of lighthearted poems centers around springtime with elements of the Hispanic culture. Poems include topics like food (tomatoes, corn, tortillas, and strawberries), planting a tree in honor of Cesar Chavez, a grandmother’s song, Cinco de Mayo, and the season of spring. Each poem is written in English and Spanish printed side by side. Each page of poetry is accompanied by bright, vividly colorful artwork depicting people of Latin descent. The poems and drawings exude happiness. The text is written for young readers in whimsical bold lettering. I would recommend this anthology to children of various reading levels. The pictures help explain the poems and a Spanish speaker/reader could benefit from having the Spanish version right next to the English version. The way it is written is beneficial for learning vocabulary in both languages. Children from a similar background could easily relate to the people and/or actions within the book.
Target Audience: Ages 6 – 11.
Recipient of the Pura Belpre Honor, this collection of lighthearted poems centers around springtime with elements of the Hispanic culture. Poems include topics like food (tomatoes, corn, tortillas, and strawberries), planting a tree in honor of Cesar Chavez, a grandmother’s song, Cinco de Mayo, and the season of spring. Each poem is written in English and Spanish printed side by side. Each page of poetry is accompanied by bright, vividly colorful artwork depicting people of Latin descent. The poems and drawings exude happiness. The text is written for young readers in whimsical bold lettering. I would recommend this anthology to children of various reading levels. The pictures help explain the poems and a Spanish speaker/reader could benefit from having the Spanish version right next to the English version. The way it is written is beneficial for learning vocabulary in both languages. Children from a similar background could easily relate to the people and/or actions within the book.
Target Audience: Ages 6 – 11.
December 9, 2009
Grades 2nd - 4th
Francisco Alarcon has put together a wonderful book of poetry about spring. The illustrations by Maya Gonzalez complement the text and can help support the readers as they begin their adventure through this book. These poems should be read to students in the younger grades as some of the words might be too advanced for second graders. By fourth grade, however, this book could be read independently by most. Children will be delighted by this book as the poems are written in both English and Spanish. The vibrant colors and detailed illustrations are pleasing to the eye and will draw the reader into the book. The text is of medium size and will not be overwhelming for the young reader. Children will enjoy the cartoon-like illustrations and lighthearted, warm poems.
Related Content Areas
Science, Spanish
Lesson Idea
This book could be a great way to introduce the seasons to children. They could discuss the differences in the seasons and what kinds of fruits and vegetables grow during these seasons.
Francisco Alarcon has put together a wonderful book of poetry about spring. The illustrations by Maya Gonzalez complement the text and can help support the readers as they begin their adventure through this book. These poems should be read to students in the younger grades as some of the words might be too advanced for second graders. By fourth grade, however, this book could be read independently by most. Children will be delighted by this book as the poems are written in both English and Spanish. The vibrant colors and detailed illustrations are pleasing to the eye and will draw the reader into the book. The text is of medium size and will not be overwhelming for the young reader. Children will enjoy the cartoon-like illustrations and lighthearted, warm poems.
Related Content Areas
Science, Spanish
Lesson Idea
This book could be a great way to introduce the seasons to children. They could discuss the differences in the seasons and what kinds of fruits and vegetables grow during these seasons.
May 16, 2017
I did not enjoy this book. Although there were parts that I found interesting I need not understand the reasoning behind the book. It was composed of a bunch of different poems all about spring. One interesting aspect of the book was that after each poem that was written in English was then translated to Spanish. That provides a dual learning experience for children reading the book. I thought that provided a different quality to a book that I had never seen before. The illustrations in this book were very vibrant which matches the Latino appeal. Some of pictures did creep me out though. There are several images of people with their mouths full of food and it looks really weird. It reminds me of something out of a scary movie rather than something you would find in a children’s book. As I previously mentioned I did not enjoy this book but that should not stop others from giving it a try.
April 20, 2016
This book is a book that will help students with bi-literacy. All of the poems are in both English and Spanish. The poems are about spring and nature. These mention things like tortillas and the sun but it is not something that only Latinos do. The poems are funny and entertaining and the pictures are very detailed that tend to represent Latinos. It may be by the color of the skin or the way they are dressed, and the landscape that is represented. I do not feel this book is about stereotypes and I do think it is a fun book that can be read to student when they are reading and writing poetry in early elementary because all of the poems are bilingual. The translations are accurate and the culture is being represented in the pictures. Many of the poems are about things that anyone is able to relate to which is one of the things that I liked about this book.
May 12, 2017
This is just such a well executed children's book of poetry, I don't think my review can do it justice.
This book, the artwork and the poetry are so beautiful. Although I am Puerto Rican and not Mexican, for me the poetry really captured what it is like to be a latinx person in the U.S. There are many poems that are specific to the Chicanx experience, but "Roots"/"Raíces", "Las canciones de mi abuela"/"My Grandma's Songs", "Las palabras son pájaros"/"Words are Birds" and "Other Voices"/"Otras voces" are all filled with the concurrent sadness and hope that many different latinx people families all experience.
Also, a side note, I really appreciate that the author did his own translations, because the poems work in both English and Spanish. Sometimes (poetry especially) that are translated by someone other than the author get lost in translation, so to speak.
This book, the artwork and the poetry are so beautiful. Although I am Puerto Rican and not Mexican, for me the poetry really captured what it is like to be a latinx person in the U.S. There are many poems that are specific to the Chicanx experience, but "Roots"/"Raíces", "Las canciones de mi abuela"/"My Grandma's Songs", "Las palabras son pájaros"/"Words are Birds" and "Other Voices"/"Otras voces" are all filled with the concurrent sadness and hope that many different latinx people families all experience.
Also, a side note, I really appreciate that the author did his own translations, because the poems work in both English and Spanish. Sometimes (poetry especially) that are translated by someone other than the author get lost in translation, so to speak.
December 8, 2009
2nd-3rd grades
Gonzalez did a wonderful job with the illustrations. She used very vivid bright colors that will catch the attention of all the readers. There was no negative space on the pages which was nice to see every page full of colors and poems. The poems in this book were very interesting. I think that this was a neat way of incorporating the Spanish and English with the poems. It would be a good way for English speakers to help learn Spanish and Spanish speaker to learn English. The text was big and easy for the students to read and each poem went well with the title of each poem. The students can relate to at least one of the poems in this book.
Language Arts/Arts
After reading this book of poems I would have the students write their own poems and illustrate them.
Gonzalez did a wonderful job with the illustrations. She used very vivid bright colors that will catch the attention of all the readers. There was no negative space on the pages which was nice to see every page full of colors and poems. The poems in this book were very interesting. I think that this was a neat way of incorporating the Spanish and English with the poems. It would be a good way for English speakers to help learn Spanish and Spanish speaker to learn English. The text was big and easy for the students to read and each poem went well with the title of each poem. The students can relate to at least one of the poems in this book.
Language Arts/Arts
After reading this book of poems I would have the students write their own poems and illustrate them.
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December 13, 20092nd-5th Read aloud/Independent Reading
Alarcon brings us a lighthearted book of poems written in English and Spanish. The pages do not have any white space instead they are full of very vivid and colorful drawn illustrations. The poems do not rhyme but are easily read creating a mood of playfulness. Most of the poems have some correlation to spring described in the poem. Children would enjoy these poems and the sometimes silly pictures that go along with the poems.
Language Arts/Science
Students could do a lesson on planting a garden and determine when is the best time to start planting different types of vegetables.
Alarcon brings us a lighthearted book of poems written in English and Spanish. The pages do not have any white space instead they are full of very vivid and colorful drawn illustrations. The poems do not rhyme but are easily read creating a mood of playfulness. Most of the poems have some correlation to spring described in the poem. Children would enjoy these poems and the sometimes silly pictures that go along with the poems.
Language Arts/Science
Students could do a lesson on planting a garden and determine when is the best time to start planting different types of vegetables.
December 10, 2013
This book contains a variety of free verse poetry. A unique aspect to this book is the fact that each poem is in English and written in Spanish. The poems are about food, family, and life. Along with each poem is bright colored illustrations to bring the writings to life. This book could be used when teaching a multicultural lesson, and can be used as a way to introduce poetry into the classroom. Also, it could be used as a writing activity and helping students to write poems on their heritage.
December 9, 2009
Words are Birds by Francisco X. Alarcon
Sense: The sense of “Words are Birds”, is of lightness and a soft hand teacher about where words come from.
Meaning: The meaning of this poem is that not only do word come from somewhere, but everyone and everything comes from a special place.
Sound: The sound of “Words are Birds”, is soft and uplifting. This poem tells a story the way, I feel, that a teacher would speak.
Sense: The sense of “Words are Birds”, is of lightness and a soft hand teacher about where words come from.
Meaning: The meaning of this poem is that not only do word come from somewhere, but everyone and everything comes from a special place.
Sound: The sound of “Words are Birds”, is soft and uplifting. This poem tells a story the way, I feel, that a teacher would speak.
June 3, 2011
This is the spring version of Francisco Alarcon's four poetry books about seasons. There are many good images of planting and spring. I would use these planting images with younger children if my Latino unit took place in spring. We could discuss planting and Latinos contributions to vegetable growing in the United States. Also, I would use the planting images to work with the migrant worker books for the older students.
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September 8, 2013These books really grew on me. The first one I wasn't too sure about, and it seemed to drag. By the time I got to the final one I was kind of sad that it was over. Still not excited about the online experience, but I can definitely see how it can be a positive experience (mostly because: free books!). I also feel like an idiot for not realizing that these books each go with a season; one winter, one fall, one spring, one summer. I find that to be quite creative.
October 16, 2014
I loved the very cheerful spring poems found here. The poem on the title page is one of my favorites, "A poem makes us see everything for the first time." He made me see many gifts if spring for the first time. It's fun to see the poems in Spanish and English. In the end note he explained that sometimes the English came first, sometimes the Spanish was first, and sometimes they came together. The illustrations are also cheerful a me full of life.
May 18, 2011
I did not love this book. It is a collection of poems about life and nature. Some of the poems tell a story, some highlight the Latino culture and some are very brief and don't feel like poems. This book felt disjointed to me. It lacked rhythm. I was looking for it to flow and it did not for me.
June 21, 2012
In this collection of poems by Francisco Alarcon, children will learn about the joys and sorrows found in nature and life. This is a great collection of poems for students learning English because the poems are written in both English and Spanish.
The bright and vivid illustrations are great reminders of the early spring time.
The bright and vivid illustrations are great reminders of the early spring time.
December 7, 2013
This is a wonderfully vibrant book full of short, free verse poems offered in both Spanish and English. The beautiful poetry features family, food, and life themes, and is accompanied by bright, borderless artwork. This book is perfect for a plug-in poetry lesson, and as an additional resource for a multi-cultural unit.
December 10, 2013
This book contains many free verse poems that are offered in both English and Spanish. The poems touch on the subjects of food and family as well as other life experiences. Seeing the poem presented in both languages can be beneficial for children in exposing them to different cultures and their language. I would use this book when doing a lesson on Latino heritage.
December 10, 2013
Poetry is a great tool to introduce any lesson when in a classroom, that way it molds the children to be accustomed to all kinds of poetry rather than fearing it (as I did growing up). It offers the perspective in both English and Spanish through free verse poetry. Guiding children through poetry would help enhance their comparison skills.
May 10, 2012
This is truly one of my favorite books of all time!!! The poems are delightful and the illustrations are incredible. This is one of the books I bought with the money two of our Esperanza board members donated for our Esperanza library.
April 18, 2013
I'm learning Spanish, and although I'm not going to review this one on my blog, I thought I would give it a rating here.
This is a fun little book of poems. Some of the lines annoyed me, and many of the poems were unremarkable, but it is good for learning Spanish and fairly simple.
This is a fun little book of poems. Some of the lines annoyed me, and many of the poems were unremarkable, but it is good for learning Spanish and fairly simple.
September 9, 2013
If I were an American native speaker, I would love this book so much. The books seems logical and shows up the features of season. Most importantly, it try to tell children about the agricultural productions for every seasons and teach children how to speak Spanish when they are little children.
September 24, 2018
I liked how the poems told the children's story of their childhood with tying in Spanish family traditions. I found it neat that every poem was in English and Spanish. The poems were cute and the illustrations were very colorful.
May 26, 2009
Wonderful fun poetry in Spanish and English! Bright and beautiful illustrations! I loved this book and the poems reminded me of some of my friends in Arizona.
April 24, 2011
Wonderful fun poetry in Spanish and English! Bright pictures, that are eye catching. Great to use with ESL students, or students with a hispanic background.
September 14, 2013
there is something so special about a story a child creates, and i loved these poems and they light they spread through a childs eyes. they really make you sit back and appreciate the simpler things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews