Pablo's Tree

by Pat Mora, Cecily Lang (Illustrator)

A multi-generational story that follows young Pablo on his birthday as he anticipates seeing how his abuelito (grandfather) has decorated a tree planted on the day Pablo was adopted.

Each year on his birthday, a young Mexican American boy looks forward to seeing how his grandfather has decorated the tree he planted on the day the boy was adopted. A charming story about a sweet tradition a boy and his grandfather share, “Lang's clever cut-paper collages fill each page like a photo album with picture after picture of a family history that sparkles with love and a sense of belonging” ( Booklist ).

Genres: Picture Books, Adoption, Latinx, Family, Fiction, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Pat Mora (born 1942) is a female Mexican-American author and poet. Pat Mora was born in El Paso, Texas. She is married and has 3 grown children.

Reviews

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a boy whose grandfather planted him a tree and decorates it for him every year.

What I may have liked most about this was the fact that the boy was adopted is incidental to the story. He's a normal kid with family members who love him. So I thought it was cool that his adoption was secondary to the really lovely relationship with his mom and grandpa.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It gives me an idea for my granddaughter!

[Cassidy Goddard]

Pablo's Tree is written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Cecily Lang. This book could be classified as realistic fiction. This book is about a boy named Pablo who celebrates his birthday every year with his grandpa under his tree. The grandpa recalls the story of waiting and waiting to get a call from the adoption agency, and when the mother finally got the call the grandfather went out and bought a tree to watch it grow as his grandson grew. Each year the grandfather decorated the tree for his grandsons birthday. This book would be great for children of all ages, and it really keeps the readers interested. The illustrations in the book are bright and vivid, and help you stay engaged looking at all the different colors throughout the book. The illustrations really help recall the Mexican culture with all the bright colors used. This book is greatly diverse. The story very well represents the Mexican- American culture, and it even includes Spanish phrases used throughout the story. I thought it was very cool how the showed the Spanish version and English version of how to say certain phrases. The speech and traditions are highly represented throughout this book. The author of this book grew up in Texas, and she writes stories to reflect her Mexican- American community. This was a great book, and I think it could be enjoyed by children of all ages.

[Rachel Battocletti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was rather long for my preschool students and there were quite a few that were not captured by the story. I did appreciate the Spanish dialogue in the story especially since the majority of my students are Hispanic. They enjoyed that aspect of the book quite a lot. We read this story three different times and by the third time students were more engaged with the plot and their attention was much better. I also enjoyed that this book explored adoption and the teachable moment it provided.

[Orlando Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story may take several days to finish however it is a great story with insight into Mexican culture. Great use of the Spanish language with clear English definitions.

[Oanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pablo's Tree is a narrative about how an adopted Latino boy is celebrated every year on his birthday by his grandfather. Told from his perspective, Pablo is very excited to see how his Abuelito (or "Lito" for short) has decorated his birthday tree this year. The author, Pat Mora, does a great job in writing and creating an authentic Hispanic context as she weaves some Spanish effortlessly into the dialogue (ex. “Como esta mi nieto grande? How is my big grandson?”, “Cuidado. Be careful,” and “I said, ‘Este arbol es para mi nieto. This tree is for my grandson.’”) and always makes sure to have the translated speech directly following. I also appreciate that Mora herself is a Chicano author which makes the cultural perspectives in this text authentic. The illustrator, Cecily Lang, also captures readers’ attentions through her use of an array of vivid colors in her illustrations.

As a teacher I would use this book to point out not only adoptive and single-parent families but also discuss how an extended family member can be an integral part of one’s family. Pablo and his grandfather share a very special relationship and his Abuelito serves as the only male/father figure for Pablo in this story. I could also use this narrative to talk about special family traditions and to teach ordinal numbers and sequencing (ex. for Pablo’s first birthday, his Abuelito decorated Pablo’s tree with yellow, orange, and red steamers; for his 2nd birthday, balloons of every color; 3rd- paper lanterns; 4th (last year) - birdcages; 5th (this birthday) - bells and chimes; 6th birthday (next year) - make a guess?)

[Lisa Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that touches on multiple areas such as diversity, adoption, and is great for ELL students because there is Spanish mixed in throughout the English text. The story is first derived from the perspective and voice of the child Pablo and then takes on the perspective and voice of the grandfather who is also Pablo. The young boy was adopted and every year after his birthday he gathers his new birthday toys and goes to his grandfather's to stay the night. There is a tree there that is Pablo's tree and every year his grandfather decorates it for his in a new way. He is so excited to see how it is done up this year. When he gets to his grandfather's house they go out back to see the tree. They bring apples as a snack and go sit by the tree and he tells young Pablo the story of tree. The tree was bought when Pablo's mother had decided to adopt a child and was waiting for the phone call to say she could pick up her new baby. His grandfather kept it watered but did not plant it until the day the mother received the call that she could pick up her baby. As the story unfolds, we learn how old Pablo is and how the tree was decorated each year. This is a beautiful story about family, love, and traditions.

[Kristin Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful book with wonderfully done illustrations. The illustrations show exactly what the text says. The story follows a family of a different culture that has a unique birthday tradition that is nothing like a birthday tradition that children in the US have. This could really draw the children's attention to the story. There are some phrases in Spanish, which would be interesting for students to hear the difference in the English and Spanish language. In the story, there is also a great relationship shown between the grandfather and grandson which some students may be able to relate to. When the students are done reading this story, they could create their own birthday tree with items on the tree that interest them.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pablo's Tree tells the story of the relationship that has developed over the years between he and his grandfather. Pablo was adopted and every year since the first one, his grandfather has decorated a tree for Pablo's birthday. The tree was originally planted on the day that Pablo was brought home from the adoption agency. Every year Pablo spends his birthday at his Grandfather's house and he can't wait to see what surprise tree decorations await him this year! I loved this book. It shows that an adopted child can really experience love inspite of not having biological parents around. Pablo loved his Abuelito and it showed through in the illustrations and the text.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pablo looks forward to enjoying his birthday tree, decorated by his grandfather as an annual tradition. The bright, cheerful artwork and simple text make this a good text for young students. As Pablo and his grandfather remember the story of Pablo's tree, we learn that Pablo's mother, a single woman, adopted him when he was a baby. With the simple text and layered messages, the story seems a little bit heavy handed. That being said, children will appreciate the love and celebration that Pablo enjoys with his family. This isn't my favorite Pat Mora title but it's definitely a strong choice for elementary school collections.

[Bethann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great way to show diversity in your classroom. Pablo's Tree tells how a little boy was adopted and how his grandfather celebrates him. On the day his mother brought him home, his grandfather planted Pablo's tree. Every year, Pablo is very excited to see what his tree will be decorated like, it is something for him to look forward to each year. The author not only shows diversity with the fact that Pablo's mother adopted him, but with the Spanish used in the text.

[Hannah Holthaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy who was adopted and his grandfather planted a special tree for him when his mother brought him home. Every year on his birthday, his grandfather decorates the tree differently and it is a special tradition that the boy and his grandfather share. The Mexican-American culture is represented in this book and the illustrations are awesome. This would be an awesome book to talk about different cultures but also how adoption can change a child's life.

[Haylee Tappan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was ADORABLE. I love how it shows different cultural pieces and different family structures (adoption, specifically). You do not get that very often in children's books. It also show how your identity can be built over time and change as the years go on, but where you originally come from is just as important. It is a good message for kids and also exposes them to different types of families and cultures.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pat Mora does a great job showing the culture throughout this book. You can tell that this family is very close, and Pablo is so very excited to go see his tree at Lito's every year! This would be a great book for a teacher to read to students. There are also Spanish words and phrases in this text that add another cool factor to the book!

[Alex Onslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I really liked it because I feel like it's a good book to read to students about "Traditions" and "family history." This could lead to a lesson/discussion with students about what their family traditions are and how the came about. Would be fun to see if any students had similar traditions and how or when they were created.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grandfather named planted a tree for his grandon Pablo. Each year he decorated it for his birthday. This book shares the special relationship between Pablo and his grandfather. It is also beautifully depicted with cut-paper illustrations.

[Barbara Lovejoy]

What a DELIGHTFUL book! I bought this book as one of my birthday traditions--which is to give a book to someone, usually a child. This is the book I chose this year which I am going to give to my dear friend, Flavia McKnight, and her kindergarten class at Esperanza. :)

[Ashley Lahr]

This book is about a little boy who gets adopted by his mama. Every year for his birthday he goes and spends the night with his grandfather. His grandfather planted a tree when he was adopted. Every year he decorates the tree just for Pablo and they play with his toys underneath it

[Rachel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the adorable tradition featured in this book that may cause kids to consider their own traditions and compare and contrast. It's also a great idea for something to do as a parent or grandparent: plant a tree for a child and decorate it every year on their birthday.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this book from the library. It is about a young Hispanic boy who was adopted - Pablo's grandfather planted a tree for him on the day he was adopted, and every year on Pablo's birthday, his grandfather decorates the tree for him.

[Cindy Sarnowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of a Latino family's celebration ritual of Pablo's birthday. The reader sees the love by mom and grandfather lavished on this adopted boy. Pablo's grandfather has planted a tree to grow with Pablo and each year is decorated in a unique way.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for adoptive parents and for single adoptive mothers since the mother is single in the story.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the style of the illustrations. Maybe slightly long for a read aloud. It's a nice story about adoption and family life. Some Spanish words peppered in.

[Àmr RàÐy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know

[Rachel Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GRAND FATHERS LOVE FOR HIS GRANDSON IS ENDLESS A TREE WILL LAST FOREVER.

[Siomara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about a tree That grew and grew just like The little boy.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed the story and pictures, and I thought it a very nice celebration of families who grow by adoption.

[Vanessa Westen]

Pablo is a little boy who just had his birthday. The best part of his birthday? Going to see how his Grandpa decorated his tree!

[Hyunhee Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Mexican-American boy waits for his birthday every year because his grandfather decorates something special on Pablo’s tree ever since Pablo was adopted.