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Abuelo
Arthur Dorros's skillful blend of Spanish and English and Raúl Colón's poignant paintings illuminate how the special bond between an abuelo and a nieto reaches across miles. Together, a young boy and his abuelo go camping, ride horses, and even confront a mountain lion. Soon, the boy's family moves to the city from the country, away from Abuelo, and it is the boy's memories that help him adjust to his new life. Fans of Dorros's Papá and Me and Abuela will delight in this bilingual and multigenerational picture book about a special family relationship. This beautiful picture book blends Spanish and English seamlessly, all at once telling a wonderful story and introducing young readers to both languages. Perfect for bilingual families as well as teachers and families who want to expose their children to multiple languages.
32 pages, Library Binding
Published May 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 10, 2022
Heartfelt story of a young boy who used to ride all over the country with his grandfather. When he moves to the city he remembers the lessons his grandfather passed on to him. He looks forward to visiting his grandfather again, but knows that the lessons he has learned from his grandfather will keep him strong as he adjusts to his new life in the city.
July 28, 2019
A young boy and his abuelo, or grandfather, have many wonderful adventures together riding the Argentine Pampas. The boy learns strength and self confidence from his laughing abuelo. Then disaster strikes, and the boy learns that he and his parents are moving away to the city. His abuelo assures him that they will stay in touch, and visit often, and sure enough, the boy finds that his abuelo is always with him...
A lovely picture-book that was apparently inspired by the childhood experiences of a friend of author Arthur Dorros, Abuelo would make an excellent companion to Dorros' better-known Abuela , which addresses the bond between grandmother and granddaughter. The text is simple but effective, using words and phrases in Spanish that are then explained and/or translated into English during the course of the story. The artwork, done by illustrator Raúl Colón in watercolor and pencil, is absolutely lovely, capturing the loving bond between boy and grandfather, and the excitement of their many adventures. Recommended to anyone looking for good grandfather/grandson stories, particularly those featuring a Latin American cultural background.
A lovely picture-book that was apparently inspired by the childhood experiences of a friend of author Arthur Dorros, Abuelo would make an excellent companion to Dorros' better-known Abuela , which addresses the bond between grandmother and granddaughter. The text is simple but effective, using words and phrases in Spanish that are then explained and/or translated into English during the course of the story. The artwork, done by illustrator Raúl Colón in watercolor and pencil, is absolutely lovely, capturing the loving bond between boy and grandfather, and the excitement of their many adventures. Recommended to anyone looking for good grandfather/grandson stories, particularly those featuring a Latin American cultural background.
May 26, 2014
With the author and illustrator of this book both being known, this book will get a good amount of interest. Colon's illustrations are gorgeous! The story is one that could be used for kids who are moving away from family or just as an introduction to another way of life. The story is simple but limps just a bit since the grandfather - abuelo - is presented as saying Spanish phrases then immediately translating them. So the book could be used as an introduction to Spanish as well. However, since so many phrases are translated, it does slow down the story some, even as skillful as Dorros is. It basically is a little boy's memories of special times spent with his grandfather and the lessons that Abuelo taught him, including of course, that he can live away from Abuelo and keep him alive in his memories. This is not a death of a relative story but very close since moving away from someone who has been part of your regular life is a sort of death when you are young. Abuelo's lessons come in handy when the bully in the new place tries to threaten him. He shows the bully that he is stronger than he looks, not in an actual fight but in how he answers back the bully and makes it clear he isn't backing down to a bully. I don't see this as winning the Belpre, but I hope I'm wrong.
November 15, 2021
Abuelo is a feel good story. The narrator and his grandfather have a strong bond that is larger than life. He and his abuelo love the land and feel free when they're out in the country. One day, the boy moves to the city and fears that he will not see his abuelo anymore. Once in the city, he begins to see how it looks like the plains. He compares the streets to La Pampa, talks to and visits his abuelo, and while he cannot see him all time, he knows that his abuelo is there because of all the things that he has taught him.
This story is a great read aloud with a simple, yet powerful message about love and respect. Many can relate to this story with an "abuelo" who shared life experiences with one. The story takes the reader to their early memories of childhood or their native land. Children can make many connections with this book. It encompasses migration, respect for elders, new life, and appreciation for nature.
This story is a great read aloud with a simple, yet powerful message about love and respect. Many can relate to this story with an "abuelo" who shared life experiences with one. The story takes the reader to their early memories of childhood or their native land. Children can make many connections with this book. It encompasses migration, respect for elders, new life, and appreciation for nature.
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June 8, 2016"Skillful blend of Spanish and English"? In what world is Google Translate skillful? All the guy does is write sentences in English and then pick one word to repeat, not replace, in Spanish. That's not blend, that's just white people thinking that italics (with a bonus, because this one italicizes AND puts in quotation marks, just to really drive home the idea that Spanish is wildly foreign and weird compared to English) make a book culturally sensitive or something.
Raul's illustrations are beautiful because that's what he does, but the writing? Feh.
Raul's illustrations are beautiful because that's what he does, but the writing? Feh.
April 25, 2014
A young boy learns from his abuelo the ways of the gaucho in South America and remembers those lessons the rest of his life. A poignant grandfather-grandson story with warm, appealing illustrations by Raul Colon.
April 27, 2014
A wonderful story about a boy and his grandfather. A good use of Spanish terms and phrases.
October 17, 2014
One of the better grandfather picture books I have come across that might work with a story time crowd, though mine might be a little young. Also, Hispanic possibilities.
September 11, 2015
Everybody should have as awesome an abuelo as this. I love what a strong and vibrant man he is. I love the lessons he teaches. This book goes on the favorites shelf. :D
October 26, 2024
I picked Abuelo because I do not see many books about grandfathers. The story would be perfect in a class that is learning Spanish or in an ESL classroom. The theme of Abuelo is that life lessons taught by family members follow us throughout life. The young man is learning to appreciate his environment, live with changes, see differences and similarities in the world, and remember to be kind to everything. If a teacher is working on teaching weather terminology, this story provides the Spanish and English terms for the different types of weather. If a teacher needs to give a positive story about life changes, this is also a positive story to read. A lesson could be to have students write out note cards for the vocabulary words of the types of weather discussed in the book. They could do coloring pages on the weather using English and Spanish words. If a teacher is trying to teach how life always has curveballs, then this story could be read before having students journal about life changes they have experienced and use the advice given to them by an experienced life learner. I enjoyed this story because Abuelo has many lessons that one can apply within a classroom; Abuelo teaches the little boy about togetherness, language that it is okay to fall off a path, laughter is needed, that an outlook on life can determine how one reacts and sees the world. I also believe this book would be an excellent read for junior high students who are going through so many changes to let them know it is essential to learn to laugh at events that take them out of their comfort zone.
December 13, 2022
This is a heartwarming story about a boy riding horses with his grandfather. Great way to teach Hispanic culture.
March 26, 2016
Multicultural Picture Book #1
Copyright Date: 2014
Target Audience: Primary Grades
Genre: Abuelo is a Realistic Fiction book because it is a made-up story that could occur in real life. This book could occur in real life because is about a boy who rides a horse with his grandfather. Towards the end of the book, the boy moves to the city away from his grandfather, but realizes the city isn't all that bad and that his grandfather is always with him in spirit.
Text-to-Self Connection: In Abuelo, the grandfather teaches the boy many things, including how to use his poncho to make a shelter if it rained, how to guide a horse, and how to stand tall and strong if they ran into a mountain lion. Like the grandfather in Abuelo, my grandfather taught me many things, including how to tie knots and how to properly feed the cattle. Also, when I was about the age of the boy in Abuelo, my grandfather lived on a farm just like the boy's grandfather did in the book.
Text-to-Text Connection: Grandpa's Garden by Stella Fry is the text-to-text connection I made for Abuelo. I made a connection between these two books because both of the books are about a little boy and his grandfather. Also, I made a connection because, in both of the books, the grandfather teaches his grandson multiple lessons. For example, in Grandpa's Garden, the grandfather teaches his grandson each step of planting a garden, including spreading compost on the soil. Also, as I mentioned in my text-to-self connection, in Abuelo, the grandfather teaches his grandson multiple lessons, such as how to use his poncho to make a shelter if it rained.
Text-to-World Connection: The text-to-world connection I made regarding Abuelo included my connection to farmers. There are many farmers in the world who grow food for people to eat. In Abuelo, the grandfather lived on a farm, and on a page of the book it showed chickens on his farm. I connected this book to the many farms in the world that raise chickens for meat. I can specifically relate this to the multiple chicken farms I see when I travel.
Copyright Date: 2014
Target Audience: Primary Grades
Genre: Abuelo is a Realistic Fiction book because it is a made-up story that could occur in real life. This book could occur in real life because is about a boy who rides a horse with his grandfather. Towards the end of the book, the boy moves to the city away from his grandfather, but realizes the city isn't all that bad and that his grandfather is always with him in spirit.
Text-to-Self Connection: In Abuelo, the grandfather teaches the boy many things, including how to use his poncho to make a shelter if it rained, how to guide a horse, and how to stand tall and strong if they ran into a mountain lion. Like the grandfather in Abuelo, my grandfather taught me many things, including how to tie knots and how to properly feed the cattle. Also, when I was about the age of the boy in Abuelo, my grandfather lived on a farm just like the boy's grandfather did in the book.
Text-to-Text Connection: Grandpa's Garden by Stella Fry is the text-to-text connection I made for Abuelo. I made a connection between these two books because both of the books are about a little boy and his grandfather. Also, I made a connection because, in both of the books, the grandfather teaches his grandson multiple lessons. For example, in Grandpa's Garden, the grandfather teaches his grandson each step of planting a garden, including spreading compost on the soil. Also, as I mentioned in my text-to-self connection, in Abuelo, the grandfather teaches his grandson multiple lessons, such as how to use his poncho to make a shelter if it rained.
Text-to-World Connection: The text-to-world connection I made regarding Abuelo included my connection to farmers. There are many farmers in the world who grow food for people to eat. In Abuelo, the grandfather lived on a farm, and on a page of the book it showed chickens on his farm. I connected this book to the many farms in the world that raise chickens for meat. I can specifically relate this to the multiple chicken farms I see when I travel.
March 28, 2017
This is my second multicultural picture book and the genre is Realistic Fiction, because a lot of children end up moving away from their more distant relatives (grandparents- or in this case grandpa) to live in the city to go to a certain school.
The Target Audience for this book would be 2nd grade and up, because they are introducing a new language within the book (Spanish). On each page they picked one key word that was also illustrated on the page to be written down in Spanish. This helps the children correlate the English/Spanish words together by having them next to each other on the page as well as being able to see the actual picture of the word as well.
Text to Text: This book reminded me of another book called "A Piñata in a Pine Tree by Pat Mora. Just like in "Abuelo" Mora integrates Spanish in her story as a way to help introduce the language to children, while still using mainly English in the book. I liked how Mora wrote out some of the Spanish words in the way they would sound so it is easier for the children to read and pronounce it rather then spelling all of the Spanish words out precisely.
Text to Self: When I was reading this book it reminded me of my grandma. Just like in this book we lived far away from one another (she was in North Dakota and I was in Nebraska), but we would communicate through email. So, even to this day I still have a little part of her with me just like how the boy in this book has his abuelo with him wherever he goes and the lessons that his abuelo taught him while they were together.
Text to World: I have noticed in grocery stores that they have signs where they first have the English language on it and then next to it they have a sign with the Spanish language on it. They do this as well with products in stores, which is helpful for those who may not be fluent or want to practice a different language. I think that it's a very useful tool and it would be beneficial for publishers to implement it more in their books.
The Target Audience for this book would be 2nd grade and up, because they are introducing a new language within the book (Spanish). On each page they picked one key word that was also illustrated on the page to be written down in Spanish. This helps the children correlate the English/Spanish words together by having them next to each other on the page as well as being able to see the actual picture of the word as well.
Text to Text: This book reminded me of another book called "A Piñata in a Pine Tree by Pat Mora. Just like in "Abuelo" Mora integrates Spanish in her story as a way to help introduce the language to children, while still using mainly English in the book. I liked how Mora wrote out some of the Spanish words in the way they would sound so it is easier for the children to read and pronounce it rather then spelling all of the Spanish words out precisely.
Text to Self: When I was reading this book it reminded me of my grandma. Just like in this book we lived far away from one another (she was in North Dakota and I was in Nebraska), but we would communicate through email. So, even to this day I still have a little part of her with me just like how the boy in this book has his abuelo with him wherever he goes and the lessons that his abuelo taught him while they were together.
Text to World: I have noticed in grocery stores that they have signs where they first have the English language on it and then next to it they have a sign with the Spanish language on it. They do this as well with products in stores, which is helpful for those who may not be fluent or want to practice a different language. I think that it's a very useful tool and it would be beneficial for publishers to implement it more in their books.
March 25, 2016
Multicultural Picture Book #3: Abuelo by Arthur Dorros
Target Audience: Primary elementary
Genre: The genre of this book is realistic fiction because the author writes a story with made-up characters in a story line that could realistically take place.
Text-to-Self: I connected this book to myself because in the book, the boy moves away from his grandpa and the country to the city. In his new life, the boy remembers his memories with his grandfather to help him adjust to city life. I can relate to this because I have always been close to my grandparents and it was hard to say goodbye when my family moved to Malawi. However, I agree with the boy that it helped to remember fun memories that I had shared with my grandparents and other family members as well as looking at pictures in the scrapbooks.
Text-to-Text: I connected the book Abuelo to a book called Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina because both books are about children who form valuable memories with their grandparents. Children will love reading about the strong bond between the children and their loving grandparents. I like how the authors of both books depict the grandchild-grandparent relationship in a positive light. They show how grandparents can teach their grandchildren new things and also how grandchildren can show their grandparents a different view on modern life.
Text-to-World: I connected this book to the world because children all over the world can connect to the story in their relationships with their grandparents. I feel like after reading this book, children will make more of an effort to spend quality time with their grandparents. For children who live far away from their grandparents, this book will show them that they can hold onto the memories that they have made with their grandparents.
Target Audience: Primary elementary
Genre: The genre of this book is realistic fiction because the author writes a story with made-up characters in a story line that could realistically take place.
Text-to-Self: I connected this book to myself because in the book, the boy moves away from his grandpa and the country to the city. In his new life, the boy remembers his memories with his grandfather to help him adjust to city life. I can relate to this because I have always been close to my grandparents and it was hard to say goodbye when my family moved to Malawi. However, I agree with the boy that it helped to remember fun memories that I had shared with my grandparents and other family members as well as looking at pictures in the scrapbooks.
Text-to-Text: I connected the book Abuelo to a book called Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina because both books are about children who form valuable memories with their grandparents. Children will love reading about the strong bond between the children and their loving grandparents. I like how the authors of both books depict the grandchild-grandparent relationship in a positive light. They show how grandparents can teach their grandchildren new things and also how grandchildren can show their grandparents a different view on modern life.
Text-to-World: I connected this book to the world because children all over the world can connect to the story in their relationships with their grandparents. I feel like after reading this book, children will make more of an effort to spend quality time with their grandparents. For children who live far away from their grandparents, this book will show them that they can hold onto the memories that they have made with their grandparents.
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March 25, 2016"Abuelo" by Arthur Dorros
Copyright: 2014
Award: Americas Award
Genre: Realistic Fiction. This book was inspired by the true lives of people living in rural Argentina. The story uses made up characters in real places and illustrates those locations.
Target Audience: Primary, grades PreK to 2nd grade. Students in these grades will love the colorful illustrations and the depictions of rural and urban life. They will connect the characters to themselves and their grandparents (or figures in their lives who are like a grandparent).
Text to Text: "Strega Nona" by Tomie dePaulo. This connection might seem like a stretch, but it was the first book I thought of when I read "Abuelo". I read "Strega Nona" as a child so many times that our family copy had to be replaced. She always reminded me of my grandmother, who was always sure to make sure we had full bellies whenever we visited. "Abuelo" reminded me of "Strega Nona" because I have a strong connection to the character Strega Nona and I can see how the young boy in the story has a strong connection to his grandfather.
Text to Self: This story reminded me of my grandfather. He lives in a small, rural town in Nebraska. When I was little, he had a farm and I used to ride with him in his tractor as he finished his work, or rode with him in his old pick up truck to check on the cows. I connected those memories to the time the main character spends with his abuelo, especially when they go horseback riding over the plains.
Text to World: This book has a built in connection to rural Argentina. The story is set there and it shows the differences between life on a ranch and life in a city. This book could be used to compare life in Argentina and life in Nebraska. It could also be used to show Argentinian culture, agriculture and city experiences.
Copyright: 2014
Award: Americas Award
Genre: Realistic Fiction. This book was inspired by the true lives of people living in rural Argentina. The story uses made up characters in real places and illustrates those locations.
Target Audience: Primary, grades PreK to 2nd grade. Students in these grades will love the colorful illustrations and the depictions of rural and urban life. They will connect the characters to themselves and their grandparents (or figures in their lives who are like a grandparent).
Text to Text: "Strega Nona" by Tomie dePaulo. This connection might seem like a stretch, but it was the first book I thought of when I read "Abuelo". I read "Strega Nona" as a child so many times that our family copy had to be replaced. She always reminded me of my grandmother, who was always sure to make sure we had full bellies whenever we visited. "Abuelo" reminded me of "Strega Nona" because I have a strong connection to the character Strega Nona and I can see how the young boy in the story has a strong connection to his grandfather.
Text to Self: This story reminded me of my grandfather. He lives in a small, rural town in Nebraska. When I was little, he had a farm and I used to ride with him in his tractor as he finished his work, or rode with him in his old pick up truck to check on the cows. I connected those memories to the time the main character spends with his abuelo, especially when they go horseback riding over the plains.
Text to World: This book has a built in connection to rural Argentina. The story is set there and it shows the differences between life on a ranch and life in a city. This book could be used to compare life in Argentina and life in Nebraska. It could also be used to show Argentinian culture, agriculture and city experiences.
February 17, 2016
Abuelo
Rationale:
I selected Abuelo for my diverse literature text set because it features a story about an Argentinean boy who learns from his abuelo, or grandfather. This book does a wonderful job blending Spanish words into the story so students can follow along without prior knowledge. Abuelo follows the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather. Together they go camping, horseback riding, and they even confront a mountain lion. Later, the boy finds that he and his parents are moving to the city, but he is able to use what he learned with his grandfather in the city. This text offers a great perspective of different family dynamics, while also highlighting bilingualism.
Connections:
Text-to-text: Abuelo reminded me of a book entitled Muchacho by Louanne Johnson. Though for completely different audiences (Muchacho is a young adult novel), these texts have similar themes of relationship to family, while also exploring differences within a school community.
Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Remembering: How many horses were in the story?
Understanding: What was the main idea of the story?
Applying: How are the boy and his abuelo similar or different?
Analyzing: What was the turning point of the story?
Evaluating: Do you think the young boy made the right choice with the bully?
Creating: What would happen if Abuelo moved with the young boy and his parents?
Rationale:
I selected Abuelo for my diverse literature text set because it features a story about an Argentinean boy who learns from his abuelo, or grandfather. This book does a wonderful job blending Spanish words into the story so students can follow along without prior knowledge. Abuelo follows the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather. Together they go camping, horseback riding, and they even confront a mountain lion. Later, the boy finds that he and his parents are moving to the city, but he is able to use what he learned with his grandfather in the city. This text offers a great perspective of different family dynamics, while also highlighting bilingualism.
Connections:
Text-to-text: Abuelo reminded me of a book entitled Muchacho by Louanne Johnson. Though for completely different audiences (Muchacho is a young adult novel), these texts have similar themes of relationship to family, while also exploring differences within a school community.
Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Remembering: How many horses were in the story?
Understanding: What was the main idea of the story?
Applying: How are the boy and his abuelo similar or different?
Analyzing: What was the turning point of the story?
Evaluating: Do you think the young boy made the right choice with the bully?
Creating: What would happen if Abuelo moved with the young boy and his parents?
Read
March 26, 2016Target Audience: Primary
Genre: This book is realistic fiction because the young boy, his grandfather, and family are all made up characters but the situation could happen in real life.
Text to text: This book reminds me of Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-Ji Jiang. In Abuelo, a young boy spends a lot of time riding horses with his grandfather but then he has to move to the city where he can no longer enjoy that time with him. The young boy has to remember all the things his grandfather taught him while riding horses and then he knows that his abuelo is with him in his heart. Just like the boy in Red Kite, Blue Kite who learns that his father is with him always even when he cannot see him.
Text to self: I can relate to this book because I used to go hiking a lot with my grandmother. She would teach me about nature and her Native American culture. I did not have to move away like the young boy in Abuelo, but my grandmother and I just stopped going on our hikes. However, I still carry with me all the things that she taught me.
Text to world: This book uses both Spanish and English so I think it would be good for ESL students as well as students who are just learning Spanish. This book would also be great for children who have had to move away from their loved ones. It teaches that we will also carry those we love with us, no matter how far apart we may be from them.
Genre: This book is realistic fiction because the young boy, his grandfather, and family are all made up characters but the situation could happen in real life.
Text to text: This book reminds me of Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-Ji Jiang. In Abuelo, a young boy spends a lot of time riding horses with his grandfather but then he has to move to the city where he can no longer enjoy that time with him. The young boy has to remember all the things his grandfather taught him while riding horses and then he knows that his abuelo is with him in his heart. Just like the boy in Red Kite, Blue Kite who learns that his father is with him always even when he cannot see him.
Text to self: I can relate to this book because I used to go hiking a lot with my grandmother. She would teach me about nature and her Native American culture. I did not have to move away like the young boy in Abuelo, but my grandmother and I just stopped going on our hikes. However, I still carry with me all the things that she taught me.
Text to world: This book uses both Spanish and English so I think it would be good for ESL students as well as students who are just learning Spanish. This book would also be great for children who have had to move away from their loved ones. It teaches that we will also carry those we love with us, no matter how far apart we may be from them.
May 24, 2018
This book is beautifully illustrated and should makes a good character read for any small child. I find it especially appropriate for a grammar stage child about to venture to a new environment. Whether it is a move, new grade, new school, or what... This is a good inspiration of keeping hold of what had made you strong to stay strong.
Review copy, honest opinion.
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This strong Common Core title features the following important strands and standards: Determine new word meaning; English/Spanish vocabulary; strong picture support.
Grade level: 2
Interest Level: P-3
Guided Reading Level: K
COMMON CORE OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases based on reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
How does the illustrator use pictures and details to develop the characters, setting, and events in the story? RL.2.7
What strategies can you use to get the meaning of unknown words in a story? L.2.4
List words from the story that you do not know. Explain how the context of the story can help find the meaning. Give examples from the story. L.2.4a
Review copy, honest opinion.
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This strong Common Core title features the following important strands and standards: Determine new word meaning; English/Spanish vocabulary; strong picture support.
Grade level: 2
Interest Level: P-3
Guided Reading Level: K
COMMON CORE OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases based on reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
How does the illustrator use pictures and details to develop the characters, setting, and events in the story? RL.2.7
What strategies can you use to get the meaning of unknown words in a story? L.2.4
List words from the story that you do not know. Explain how the context of the story can help find the meaning. Give examples from the story. L.2.4a
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2014
A boy and his grandfather spend time together riding horses and camping. They have adventures outdoors losing the trail and even facing a mountain lion. His grandfather taught him to stand strong like a tree. Then one day the boy moved with his family to the city, leaving his grandfather behind. The city was very different. The stars were hard to see, but they were the same stars. The boy learned to use what his grandfather taught him in the countryside. He even stood up to a bully on the first day of school, standing strong as a tree.
Told in graceful free verse, this book reads quickly rather like a brisk horseback ride. Completely controlled and peppered with Spanish, the book evokes the freedom of the countryside and also the lessons of strength being taught across generations.
Colon’s illustrations evoke the differences between the country and the city. The open freedom of the countryside is contrasted against the constraints of the city, yet the sky ranges wide above both and there is freedom when riding your bike just as when riding your horse.
Free verse mingles with the freedom of the range in this multi-generational title, a perfect masculine accompaniment to Dorros’ Abuela. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Told in graceful free verse, this book reads quickly rather like a brisk horseback ride. Completely controlled and peppered with Spanish, the book evokes the freedom of the countryside and also the lessons of strength being taught across generations.
Colon’s illustrations evoke the differences between the country and the city. The open freedom of the countryside is contrasted against the constraints of the city, yet the sky ranges wide above both and there is freedom when riding your bike just as when riding your horse.
Free verse mingles with the freedom of the range in this multi-generational title, a perfect masculine accompaniment to Dorros’ Abuela. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Read
June 5, 20141. Opening: (show first page and read aloud) "When I was little, Abuelo and I would ride with the wind, "el viento," washing our faces. We could ride anywhere." Who is abuelo? What does that word mean? This book is written in English, but has Spanish phrases throughout, because the narrator and his Abuelo live in Argentina and they speak Spanish. Every time there is a Spanish word, though, it has the English meaning in the sentence, too. The narrator loves his grandfather and learns lessons from him that he takes with him when his life changes.
2. Opening Moves: alerts to unusual features of the text, draws attention to the initial setting, foreshadows a problem of the story.
3. Rationale: This books shows a close relationship between a boy and his grandfather, and addresses the sense of loss and longing that children may feel if they move. In my school system we have many immigrant and refugee families that could relate to leaving family and taking lessons and memories with them. My text set includes three books with children and grandfathers: hispanic in this story, Asian and caucasian in the others.
4. (2014, April 1). School Library Journal. http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=2...
2. Opening Moves: alerts to unusual features of the text, draws attention to the initial setting, foreshadows a problem of the story.
3. Rationale: This books shows a close relationship between a boy and his grandfather, and addresses the sense of loss and longing that children may feel if they move. In my school system we have many immigrant and refugee families that could relate to leaving family and taking lessons and memories with them. My text set includes three books with children and grandfathers: hispanic in this story, Asian and caucasian in the others.
4. (2014, April 1). School Library Journal. http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=2...
April 20, 2016
This book is about a grandpa and his grandchild. They take a riding trip where they have an adventure together. The story has different parts where there are translations of certain things in Spanish. The horse riding, the poncho the mountains, are examples of the life in central or south america. The relationship he has with his grandpa is one that helps him explore and learn new things, like making a shelter out of a poncho for when it rains. I do believe this is an accurate representation of language, culture setting and relationship. There are many who do not have grandparents in these places any more, but for those who still do, I think they have a special relationship with them.
The characters in the book are the young boy and his grandpa. The difference is in his world with his grandpa and the world he moves to. He uses his memories he created with his grandpa to help him in the new world he is living in due to his move. This book is a great example of multicultural text by showing different family units by having his grandpa very involved in his life, it is bilingual, and it changes the character and the character is reminded of his memories instead of forgetting about them.
The characters in the book are the young boy and his grandpa. The difference is in his world with his grandpa and the world he moves to. He uses his memories he created with his grandpa to help him in the new world he is living in due to his move. This book is a great example of multicultural text by showing different family units by having his grandpa very involved in his life, it is bilingual, and it changes the character and the character is reminded of his memories instead of forgetting about them.
August 14, 2020
Abuelo is a contemporary realistic fiction story. This book is all about a boy who uses what his grandfather taught him in a new city. He and his grandfather used to stargaze in the open plains. Now he can see stars within the city lights. The message of this story is that no matter how far away you are from somebody, you can still see them in the little things you do everyday. Its a short heart warming story about growing up and moving away from loved ones. Throughout the story, it is clear that there is a strong bond between the boy and his grandfather which shows strong character traits. The story also portrays sentimentalism when the boy gazes at the city lights thinking of his grandfather and the constellations. The illustrations in this story are also very engaging to look at with a wide mix of different colors and glowing lights. This story could be used to help children make text to self connections about relationships in their own families. Is there something that reminds you of a loved one?
June 10, 2014
This is a great story of one boys journey with his grandfather on the plains of Mexico that come to an end as he moves to a city in the United States. This book is an excellent example of multicultural literate. The author does a great job of using some Spanish words that give the reader a glimpse of the Spanish language. The contrast of the Mexican open plains to the U.S city shows how one would have to adapt. The boy in the story has to adapt to his new surroundings but he does so without losing his roots from Mexico. The author does a nice job of showing how the lessons the boy learned in Mexico from his grandfather, can relate across the boarder in an urban setting as well. The single story is challenged in this book especially with respects to bullying in the school. Instead of portraying a character who, when faced with a bully shy’s away, the author portrays an immigrant who is confident in his identity and stands firm. I really appreciated the book for that very fact.
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March 19, 2016Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audience: Lower Elementary
Text to Self: I can relate this book to my practicum I am in right now. I am currently in a first grade classroom at Gomez Heritage Elementary School. The majority of the students there are Hispanic. I know that a lot of the students have a close relationship with their extended family, just like this book exemplifies.
Text to Text: I related this book to a silly book called "How to Babysit a Grandpa". Although the two books are completely different, they both are based upon grandchildren's love for their grandfathers!
Text to World: This book has both English and Spanish words in it. So many people in this world are able to speak both of those languages, or are learning how to do one or the other. This book would be a great tool for young ELL learners, or young students who are trying to learn Spanish!
Audience: Lower Elementary
Text to Self: I can relate this book to my practicum I am in right now. I am currently in a first grade classroom at Gomez Heritage Elementary School. The majority of the students there are Hispanic. I know that a lot of the students have a close relationship with their extended family, just like this book exemplifies.
Text to Text: I related this book to a silly book called "How to Babysit a Grandpa". Although the two books are completely different, they both are based upon grandchildren's love for their grandfathers!
Text to World: This book has both English and Spanish words in it. So many people in this world are able to speak both of those languages, or are learning how to do one or the other. This book would be a great tool for young ELL learners, or young students who are trying to learn Spanish!
April 24, 2017
Really enjoyed this book, especially since Raul Colón is one of my favorite illustrators. Great example of a book that depicts maintaining a connection to a relative and a place. In this case the relative is a grandfather (hence the title "Abuelo") who is a gaucho on the Argentine Pampas. As a southern cone-er (yes I just made that up) I appreciate seeing Argentina depicted in a children´s book. Really lovely symmetry between the lessons the child learns on the Pampas and how he applies them once he moves to the city (presumably Buenos Aires though the omission of the Obelisco in the city scene means it could be a provincial capital instead). The last image is very evocative: the boy is on his bike, channeling his abuelo on horseback. Un libro re-lindo. Se lo recomiendo a cualquiera con descendencia Argentina ya que casi nunca se ven libros en inglés que hablan de Argentina.
October 27, 2014
Together on their horseback rides across the plains, a grandfather teaches his grandson meaningful lessons that will help the boy adjust to a new life in the city. This story expresses the lasting impact that an adult family member can have on a child, and shows how a relationship can transcend distances. Raul Colon's watercolor and pencil illustrations bring to life the expansive landscape of the plains, and the expressions of the characters. The English texts weaves in Spanish words and phrases followed by immediate literal translations, making this an accessible title for those who are unfamiliar with the Spanish language. Dorros' story will resonate with many audiences, as it is both specific and universal in its theme of family relationships.
*Read for SMLD book review*
*Read for SMLD book review*
December 6, 2016
This book is about a young boy who goes camping and horse riding with his abuelo(grandpa) and they end up confronting a mountain lion. The little boys reminisces the memories he had with his abuelo after he moves. He learns that even though he lives always from abuelo he can still him alive in his memories.
I like this book because it has pieces of Spanish words/phrases that are translated which is not common in books. The books shows the boys culture which students could learn from. I think children would like this book because it shows a close bond/relationship between the boy and his abuelo. This could be a good book for Kindergarten to 2nd grade because the illustrations are colorful.
#Cultural #MovingAway #YoungReaders
I like this book because it has pieces of Spanish words/phrases that are translated which is not common in books. The books shows the boys culture which students could learn from. I think children would like this book because it shows a close bond/relationship between the boy and his abuelo. This could be a good book for Kindergarten to 2nd grade because the illustrations are colorful.
#Cultural #MovingAway #YoungReaders
April 4, 2018
This was a great story with beautiful illustrations and an important message for young children to learn! This story encompasses the important relationship between an grandfather and grandson because sometimes grandpa's only teach certain lessons. Like abuelo teaching the young boy how to stand tall like a tree to scare away the mountain lion, which later came in handy when he had to stand up to the bully in his new school. It is important for children to know that just because someone is not physically with you in the moment, it does not mean that are not with you on the inside. The image on the last page is so beautiful because abuelo and the young boy are riding together, just in the ways that their environment allows. A beautiful story with the perfect incorporation of Spanish!
August 12, 2016
A young boy remembers times spent with his Abuelo gaucho (grandfather cowboy) riding horses in the wind, gazing at the stars, and standing strong “fuerte” against a mountain lion. When the boy’s family moves to the city, he uses the lessons taught by Abuelo to help him adapt. Beautiful illustrations rendered with watercolor and colored pencils fill every page and capture the wide-open landscapes of South America. The text is simple and easy to read and printed with a plain and appropriate sized font. The relationship between Abuelo and the young boy is endearing. This would be a lovely story for a grandparent to share with a grandchild.
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February 18, 2015Beautifully portrayed family relationship of a grandson and grandfather. Growing and learning in South America, with his Abuelo, was a poignant springboard to the young grandson moving to the city. Life lessons learned from his grandfather and the countryside transfer easily to the city environment with its own unique challenges. The illustrations are muted rich watercolors and enhance the text.
Reviewer 3.
Reviewer 3.
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