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Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia
Renowned artist Carmen Lomas Garza lovingly shares her memories of growing up in the town of Kingsville, Texas, and of her great dream of becoming an artist. Through warm, personal stories and vibrant paintings, young readers experience day-to-day life in a traditional Mexican-American community. 15 color illustrations. Size D. 32 pp.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
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330 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 30, 2017
Sandra Lomas Garza depicts scenes from her working-class childhood in Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia She also did this in another similar picture for children (and adults) In My Family/En mi familia.
This year, I am doing an informal study of What Does IT Mean to be Hispanic, my reading thread on Reading fir Fun, a Goodreads group. As I have studied, I have become aware of working-class social elements. In Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia, I see various working-class elements. A couple of examples:
In the first family picture, "The Fair in Reynosa", I see handmade paper cutouts framing a very basic homemade vendor booth--some frame posts that would be easy for someone with basic carpentry skills to make, the sides of the stand created by a tarp slung over the frame and held in place by rope. All 3 of the booths depicted here are all made in a similar way. Homemade. Skillful. Serviceable.
In this same picture, fair workers and visitors practice ways of the Mexican folk--A woman sells food items that she carries on her head and that is covered with a simple cotton cloth while a little girl plays with a doll, possibly corn husk, that is dressed like mestozo women of Mexico.
In this picture, the food vendor is cooking meat and warming torillas on an oil drum converted into a two-level grill. Her husband (likely), like other men in the picture are wearing cowboy hats. One man, the fiddler/fiddle vendor is wearing a straw hat, possibly one he made.
The elements of working class are here. A self-respecting, make-it-yourself community.
This year, I am doing an informal study of What Does IT Mean to be Hispanic, my reading thread on Reading fir Fun, a Goodreads group. As I have studied, I have become aware of working-class social elements. In Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia, I see various working-class elements. A couple of examples:
In the first family picture, "The Fair in Reynosa", I see handmade paper cutouts framing a very basic homemade vendor booth--some frame posts that would be easy for someone with basic carpentry skills to make, the sides of the stand created by a tarp slung over the frame and held in place by rope. All 3 of the booths depicted here are all made in a similar way. Homemade. Skillful. Serviceable.
In this same picture, fair workers and visitors practice ways of the Mexican folk--A woman sells food items that she carries on her head and that is covered with a simple cotton cloth while a little girl plays with a doll, possibly corn husk, that is dressed like mestozo women of Mexico.
In this picture, the food vendor is cooking meat and warming torillas on an oil drum converted into a two-level grill. Her husband (likely), like other men in the picture are wearing cowboy hats. One man, the fiddler/fiddle vendor is wearing a straw hat, possibly one he made.
The elements of working class are here. A self-respecting, make-it-yourself community.
November 15, 2019
This is a delightful collection of illustrated memories. Because it is reflections on childhood, it is an easy way to open young children's eyes to another culture.
February 13, 2017
This is a beautiful book that I fell in love with. This bilingual book could be great for learning about every-day/special moments of life for a Latino family, but various ethnic origins will enjoy. Visually, you can get lost looking at the pictures - a main reason I'd love the book as a child. This is perfect for studying homes and communities - but also for relaxing views of comfortable and thoughtful paintings.
April 11, 2013
The award winning book I chose to highlight is Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza (Children's Book Press, 1990). This book won the Pura Belpre Award for its illustrations, which are quite impressive in their vividness and simplicity. This book is a great example of an autobiographical and multicultural book, where the author describes poignant moments of her own childhood and the relevant social events and customs of her life as a Hispanic American. I have been using this book for years in my elementary bilingual classrooms, but I have also used it with adult English as a second language learners. It is a great text to make connections across cultures and experiences. The fact that it is written in English and in beautiful Spanish, helps bridge the communication gap and makes it easier for students to connect the text to themselves and to compare and contrast their experiences to that of others. I highly recommend this book as a valuable tool to help students how our funds of knowledge and background experiences help form who we are and make us powerful and unique human beings.
October 12, 2017
The book, Family Pictures/Cuadros de Familia, gives the reader snapshots of family traditions throughout the story that are written bilingually, first in English and again in Spanish below. The author told about her experience growing up in Kingsville, Texas and shared a wide variety of the traditions and activities she participated in with her family and friends on each page. Recollections included Carmen sharing about going to her grandparent's house as her grandmother was hanging the laundry and picking as many oranges off their orange tree as she could. Another fond memory included was Carmen's sixth and her brother's fourth birthday party. Their family gathered and celebrated as the piñata was hit. Overall, the book was able to include many of Carmen's Hispanic family traditions with beautiful artwork to match the scenes.
The major themes of this book include family relationships and Multicultural insights into a family living near the border of Mexico.
I found that this book gave me a way to look into another culture's traditions. This made me feel more informed and capable of understanding certain traditions in future. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the opportunity to look inside of Carmen's life growing up.
I recommend this book because students everywhere could benefit from learning more about a culture that may not be theirs, or be able to see a mirror for those who participate in some of the traditions wrote about in the book. The bilingual aspect also aids in the comfort of the reader.
The major themes of this book include family relationships and Multicultural insights into a family living near the border of Mexico.
I found that this book gave me a way to look into another culture's traditions. This made me feel more informed and capable of understanding certain traditions in future. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the opportunity to look inside of Carmen's life growing up.
I recommend this book because students everywhere could benefit from learning more about a culture that may not be theirs, or be able to see a mirror for those who participate in some of the traditions wrote about in the book. The bilingual aspect also aids in the comfort of the reader.
February 25, 2021
Family pictures is told through the eyes of the author Carmen Lomas Garza. It highlights major events in her life as well as the Mexican culture. Each story gives a glimpse into the authors life. For example, she describes the time her grandfather made rabbit for dinner.
Carmen creates illustrations in the margins of the previous page that can be seen on the upcoming page. This element gives your eye a preview for what’s to come and how it will be related to the story. For instance, one design in the margin is navy blue with whit dots. We see that pattern again in the design of her grandmother’s dress.
This book would be good to use to discuss family traditions. This book can be paired with Too Many Tamales or the Keeping Quilt. Student can then reflect on their family traditions. We can also discuss how those traditions are alike and different from the stories we have read.
Carmen creates illustrations in the margins of the previous page that can be seen on the upcoming page. This element gives your eye a preview for what’s to come and how it will be related to the story. For instance, one design in the margin is navy blue with whit dots. We see that pattern again in the design of her grandmother’s dress.
This book would be good to use to discuss family traditions. This book can be paired with Too Many Tamales or the Keeping Quilt. Student can then reflect on their family traditions. We can also discuss how those traditions are alike and different from the stories we have read.
April 23, 2019
This book by Carmen Garza, is a Pura Belpre Honor Book. This story depicts the life of Carmen and her family through pictures and vivid descriptions about her life growing up in a Mexican family. In the story she brings the readers with her to Mexico for family trips and through the seasons of her life as a Mexican American in Texas from braking piñatas at parties, celebrating las posadas in December, to wondering about quinceañeras even though she never had one herself. This book does a great job at showing the reader what it is like growing up with a Mexican family in America.
October 11, 2017
It was a story about the cultures. It was a good book for the children. Because it introduced many kinds of activities and traditions in this book. The author grew up in Kingsville, a place in Texas, the border with Mexico. By reading this book, the children can learn about many different cultures! knowing different can explore the children's knowledge! I like the pictures which drew the many kinds of activities in this book!
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May 27, 2022The book contains pictures and those pictures are connected to a story. This same story is told in both English and Spanish. This opens this book to be read by someone who speaks only Spanish or English. It also gives the reader a chance to see how the story is told in a different language. The pictures and story are based out of Southern Texas which is heavily influenced by the Mexican culture. This book received the Pura Belpre Honor Book winner.
November 18, 2023
Family, tamales, artist
Family pictures tells a story of Carmen Lomas Garza's childhood celebrating birthdays, making tamales, finding a hammerhead shark on the beach, picking cactus, going to a fair in Mexico, and confiding to her sister her dreams of becoming an artist.
This text represents the beautiful hispanic culture, which is important for others who have hispanic and Mexican backgrounds to be able to connect and see themselves through a book.
Family pictures tells a story of Carmen Lomas Garza's childhood celebrating birthdays, making tamales, finding a hammerhead shark on the beach, picking cactus, going to a fair in Mexico, and confiding to her sister her dreams of becoming an artist.
This text represents the beautiful hispanic culture, which is important for others who have hispanic and Mexican backgrounds to be able to connect and see themselves through a book.
October 17, 2017
This book, a collection of stories in both Spanish and English, shares about the lives of Spanish speaking families. The illustrations are detailed and add perspective to the words. This book offers a great look into diverse worlds and could be used along with a discussion about Mexico or about differing communities.
March 8, 2019
This book I liked a lot because I thought the author did a great job on the artwork and I liked how the author had both the Spanish language and the English language in it. I think that is really important when it comes to children understanding other people's culture and ELL students reading without having any difficulty of understanding the text.
June 27, 2023
Read with my students for Wit and Wisdom. Half of my class is Latin so they loved that they had shared cultural experiences that other students did not. They loved being able to share about tamales and doing things together as a big family. Love the different stories and that they are Carmen's memories.
November 2, 2017
Family pictures follows an aspiring artist depicting day to day life in a Mexican family. There is such vibrant art and very busy scenes which helps the reader stay engaged. I greatly appreciated that the books text is also bilingual as the English gets translated to Spanish on every page.
February 3, 2023
This book is really beautiful and personal and can spark a lot of memories within the children it is being read to. After reading, children can think of their own family memories and create their own version of the book.
September 7, 2025
Read this with my 7 year old for his homework. The pictures were great, but found the writing to be boring, flat, & not informative whatsoever. I understand why they want younger children reading books like these, but I didn’t think anything was gained from what the author was trying to tell us.
September 23, 2018
I love these family pictures they remind me of times in Mexico with my family when I was little. ❤️ Making Tamales is still a tradition we do till this day 😊
January 27, 2020
Could spend hours lingering...
December 3, 2020
Used this book to discuss family traditions and culture with my students.
April 15, 2021
Fantastic way to share a family.
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April 26, 2021Age Range: 5-7
The day-to-day experiences of a young girl in a
traditional Hispanic community form the basis of this
lovingly told, beautifully illustrated book.
Lexile: AD660L
The day-to-day experiences of a young girl in a
traditional Hispanic community form the basis of this
lovingly told, beautifully illustrated book.
Lexile: AD660L
April 29, 2022
Such an amazing read! Definitely enjoyed this
June 28, 2023
What is family? This book defines family in a whole different new view. So rich in contexts and colors it is a must read to young minds!
July 28, 2023
Memories are our most valuable treasures.
November 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this look back at her childhood memories, and the introduction by Sandra Cisneros brought a nice sense of unity.
March 9, 2024
I love the idea of this book. I didn’t love reading the actual book. The illustrations are interesting, but the writing is very flat.
November 1, 2018
This non-fiction book is composed of illustrations and descriptions from the author of pictures from her life near the Mexican-Texas border with her family. She describes experiences like picking oranges, killing chicken, and celebrating holidays with the traditions of her Mexican family.
I love that this book includes the Spanish translation for bilingual students and English Language Learners to read either way. I think this could help students who do not know many words in English be able to see them in Spanish next to the English translation and develop an improved vocabulary and understanding of the language. This would also be the case for students who may want to learn more Spanish. I liked the distinctly Hispanic style in the illustrations that the author drew from memory. I found it to be very enriching and compelling to read. I think many students could learn about this other culture and be interested in learning more because of it.
I love that this book includes the Spanish translation for bilingual students and English Language Learners to read either way. I think this could help students who do not know many words in English be able to see them in Spanish next to the English translation and develop an improved vocabulary and understanding of the language. This would also be the case for students who may want to learn more Spanish. I liked the distinctly Hispanic style in the illustrations that the author drew from memory. I found it to be very enriching and compelling to read. I think many students could learn about this other culture and be interested in learning more because of it.
November 18, 2019
This book is written both in English and Spanish. Colorful illustrations show the beauty of Mexican culture and way of life. Throughout the book, the author points out a person from each illustration and describes them in more detail. Overall the book is a great nonfiction piece for your library as the author both tells and illustrates her life growing up in Texas along the Mexico border.
December 13, 2014
Family Pictures is a multicultural book illustrated by Carmen Lomas Garza. This book is also an autobiographical text because she included pictures from her childhood and other memories she has made with her family. Beside each of the pictures, there is a brief paragraph that describes the particular memory. She writes her paragraph in both English and Spanish text. From looking at and reading her book, you are able to connect with the memories she has because most people have experienced similar memories. These would include birthday parties, trips to the beach, a day at the fair, and lots more. This book is great for students to read and look through because it can show them how different cultures are able to connect with one another through their experiences and memories. They may be very different, but in one way or another, they are very similar.
I think this book would be great in a classroom, especially one that is very diverse. All students, no matter their background, will be able to connect with the pictures and texts in one way or another. By being able to connect to the text, students will be able to realize how they can relate and connect with other students inside the classroom. I would use this in a 1st grade and up classroom. As a teacher, I would use this book to teach about diversity and how everyone can relate and connect with one another in some way. I would have the students start out by writing out a list in their journals of different traditions their family has or any memories they have with their family that are significant to them. Then I would have the students pair up with another student and have the pair of students create a Venn diagram showing what they had in common and what traditions or memories they have that are different. Once that is completed, I would have each pair of students share with the class their Venn diagram to show to the students how you can have similar traditions or memories with one another but also have different and special things that make your family who you are. I would most definitely use this book for teaching in my classroom one day.
I think this book would be great in a classroom, especially one that is very diverse. All students, no matter their background, will be able to connect with the pictures and texts in one way or another. By being able to connect to the text, students will be able to realize how they can relate and connect with other students inside the classroom. I would use this in a 1st grade and up classroom. As a teacher, I would use this book to teach about diversity and how everyone can relate and connect with one another in some way. I would have the students start out by writing out a list in their journals of different traditions their family has or any memories they have with their family that are significant to them. Then I would have the students pair up with another student and have the pair of students create a Venn diagram showing what they had in common and what traditions or memories they have that are different. Once that is completed, I would have each pair of students share with the class their Venn diagram to show to the students how you can have similar traditions or memories with one another but also have different and special things that make your family who you are. I would most definitely use this book for teaching in my classroom one day.
October 5, 2014
Carmen Lomas Garza’s autobiographical and multicultural book, Family Pictures shows us snapshots of her childhood, which represent Garza’s cherished memories. Each picture is accompanied by a short paragraph describing a memory from Garza’s childhood and it is written in English and Spanish. This book includes very detailed pictures of common scenes that just about anyone could connect with. There are pictures from a fair, the beach, birthday party, a family sharing some watermelon on a hot summer night, and many more. The pictures and the author are from a Mexican-American community in Kingsville, Texas. This book is a wonderful example of showing the connections between cultures.
Even though I am not from Mexico and have never been to Texas, I could saw a correlation between the author’s life and my own. The picture of the fair in Reynosa reminds me of my family attending our local fair every year and all of the food aromas and people. The oranges picture brings back memories of spending my summers at my grandmother’s home. The birthday party picture reminds me of all of the huge parties we gave our children. The watermelon picture reminds me of all of the family picnics we had when I was young. This book shows is that just because we are from a different culture does not mean we have nothing in common. It reveals my similarities and proves that we are all human no matter what our beliefs or culture are, and teaches adults and children to be accepting of everyone.
A teacher could brainstorm with her children what family traditions are and list the different ones on a white board. They could also have the children do a collage or drawing of the different traditions in their family and then put the pages together to form a class book. The children could also write in their journal about their favorite family traditions.
Even though I am not from Mexico and have never been to Texas, I could saw a correlation between the author’s life and my own. The picture of the fair in Reynosa reminds me of my family attending our local fair every year and all of the food aromas and people. The oranges picture brings back memories of spending my summers at my grandmother’s home. The birthday party picture reminds me of all of the huge parties we gave our children. The watermelon picture reminds me of all of the family picnics we had when I was young. This book shows is that just because we are from a different culture does not mean we have nothing in common. It reveals my similarities and proves that we are all human no matter what our beliefs or culture are, and teaches adults and children to be accepting of everyone.
A teacher could brainstorm with her children what family traditions are and list the different ones on a white board. They could also have the children do a collage or drawing of the different traditions in their family and then put the pages together to form a class book. The children could also write in their journal about their favorite family traditions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews