Snapshots From The Wedding

by Deborah J Short, Josefina Villamil Tinajero, Alfredo Schifini

Snapshots from the Wedding

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Cultural, Childrens, Latinx, Art, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Greg]

Maya, the little flower girl in the wedding, describes what she sees in vivid details and captures the excitement of a wedding day. Maya shares her very observant tale of the event through a child’s point of view as she focuses not on the wedding as much as the distractions that surround it (the groom’s broken arm, olives that are put on her fingers, and trying to catch the rice in her mouth as bride and groom leave the church).

What really makes this story stand out are the illustrations. Stephanie Garcia uses not photographs or drawings, but clay figures and dioramas to help tell the story. The text and pictures work very well together. The text often cleverly prompts the reader to look at something in the illustration. The illustration of Maya trying to catch rice is hilarious.

On a multicultural aspect, there was nothing in this story that stood out as being a good representation of Mexican culture. This story really focused on the experience of the Mayra. It is important that we can use multicultural literature in our classroom and focus on it just being a quality piece of literature.

This is a fun story that is best enjoyed when read slowly to really spend time with text and illustrations alike.

[Nicole Pourchier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative tells about a Mexican wedding ceremony from the perspective of a child. The narrator, Maya, is the flower girl and she narrates the events of the evening. The author, Gary Soto, captures the voice of a child as he describes family members (ex. silly cousin Alex, Father Jamie, Isabel the Bride, Rafael the groom) and the events that take place at the wedding (ex. the ceremony, cutting the cake, the reception). As a teacher, I will use this text to teach descriptive language (ex. "teeth white as chiclets," "more frosting than a mountain of snow"). Also, I would use this book to teach spanish terms in an authentic context because Soto weaves spanish words into the story. I also appreciate that Soto himself is a Mexican American, which makes the cultural perspectives in this text authentic. The illustrations by Stephanie Garcia also draw readers in and they might inspire children to create diorama-like images of their own to craft their own stories.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be a mentor text for writing about family events. It would be interesting to share it with Carmen Lomas Garza's Family Pictures. The cultural aspects of the wedding are interesting, but what stands out to me is the uniqueness of the illustrations. They are hand crafted dolls displayed in dioramas. That is certainly not a common technique. It might also be interesting to compare a few of Yuyi Morales illustrations like in My Abuelita and Viva Frida since she also uses dolls or puppets in her work.

[Taylor Manrique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story about a young girl who is taking part in a family member's wedding as the flower girl. The girl is so excited to be able to take part in this wedding and observe all of the wedding festivities going on around her. She captures every aspect of the wedding, no matter how strange or chaotic they may be, such as the groom's broken arm, putting olives on her fingers, trying to catch rice in her mouth, her crying aunt, her silly cousin, the Father, the uncle fixing the car, and even the mariachi band. This story is clearly intended for young readers, especially since it is told through a child's perspective. Children may be able to relate to this story as they may have been apart of a wedding sometime in their lives and all of the crazy things they saw. I was able to relate to the girl's experiences in the wedding as I was the flower girl at my aunt's wedding when I was young, where I saw a lot of crying, yelling, dancing, relatives that I had never met, etc. I really enjoyed how the author included Spanish vocabulary within the text, then gave readers a resource at the end of the book that told them what the words meant. The one critique I would give this book is that it tried to based on Hispanic culture, but the only thing it really included that was of the Hispanic culture. The strongest part of this book was clearly its illustrations, which were done using photographs of still clay figures, something I don't think I have ever seen for illustrations before. The readers will be very interested in these illustrations, allowing them to be interested in the story itself. I would use this book in my classroom as a tool for understanding descriptive language, which this book uses a lot of. The narrator uses descriptive words in order to express what is occurring to the readers so that they can paint a picture in their head. The teacher can have the student point out the descriptive word on each page, and what the word is describing.

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator tells a story about Maya, a flower girl who gives us a snapshot of the wedding. She introduces us to her family and how the wedding day looks like. The big day includes games, dancing, cake, and a mariachi band. This book can be used in a classroom where we can have students create their own snapshot and they can call it snapshots from Mr./Mrs. What I liked about this book is the illustrations. It was refreshing to see the illustrations were different from what I have seen. The illustrator uses clay figures and dioramas, which was interesting. I found myself staring at the illustrations and looking at every tiny detail. At the same time, the illustrations did creep me out a little bit, maybe it’s just me. It was a great book to read and have a glimpse of a Mexican American wedding.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the Pura Belpre for Illustrations

The mosaic clay-made artwork shadowboxes are beautiful visuals with Gary Soto's text.
If you ever wanted to see a wedding through a child's eyes, this book perfectly encapsulates the emotions and moments of a wedding.

Maya, the little flower girl, shows off her aunt Isabel, the bride, her sobbing aunt, her car-jumping uncle, the bandaged-up groom, the sleepy altar boy, and the ringbearer with one shoe untied, as well as a host of other wedding traditions of this family.

An #ownvoices classic and award winner for families

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤟🥳Love my cousin @.

[Nausheen Ukani]

Snapshots From A Wedding” by Gary Soto is a very unique children’s book on a Mexican family wedding. The book uses very realistic snapshots on each page and even incorporates three-dimensional artwork. Gary Soto does a wonderful job in introducing a unique cultural experience to his readers. As an educator, this book could be used for a variety of things in the classroom. First, it introduces diversity and a new cultural experience for the students. Teachers can use this book to bring up the topic of weddings and how weddings may be different in each student’s family/culture. Students can be encouraged to share the differences and similarities that exist family weddings come around. This also follows consistency with the book because the book is also narrated from a child’s perspective of the wedding. This reading can also be used to introduce descriptive language and details. Soto uses lots of description and detail in the writing and illustrations. The book can also be used to teach students about the Mexican culture. It can be used to teach Spanish terms that have been integrated into the story, and it can also teach about the culture itself, which can further lead into introducing other cultures, families, and diversity.

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snapshots from the Wedding is about young girl name Maya going to a Mexican wedding. She tells stories that take place at the wedding from her point of view. Each snapshot within the story is of a family member doing something out of the ordinary. As a teacher I would use this story to reinforce the importance of descriptive writing and also building upon characters. Using describing words that allow you to imagine the character in your head develops characters. I would remind students that without looking at the story they could form a vision of a character. After reading the story I will ask students to think how they think the character looks, their personality and the emotions they experience in the story. I would remind students they have to pay attention to the details in the story to help develop the character in their brain. I will reread specific pages in the story for students to see examples of words describing the character. Once we have talked about describing a character I will do a follow up activity to emphasize the strategy students learned in class. Students will practice writing descriptively to help improve their c by making it more interesting and engaging to read.

[Melba Deoleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books tells us the story of a Mexican wedding ceremony through the eyes of the flower girl, Maya. Maya is a very observant flower girl and takes us on a journey of all the events that took place in this wedding. She talked about how the alter boy had dirty shows under his robe, the mariachi band, how the groom broke his arm and how she put pitted black olives on her fingers. Maya gave us a kids perspective of the wedding, the things that she saw that would stood out to a young girl. Maya ends her night by falling asleep after the dance and what a fun day she seemed to have. Her voice throughout the story is powerful as she makes you feel like you are right there with her. The illustrations are very unique and quickly catches your attention as they are pictures of clay figures. I would use this book in my class to to incorporate new Spanish words into our class vocabulary and I would also use it to teach my students how to write using descriptive language, like when Maya says "soft as doves" or "white as chichets".

[Dione Basseri · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, let's divide this book into two parts. Pictures and words. The words? Great. A wonderful little summary of what a wedding is all about, combined with little details about the family which really make the story pop out. It isn't JUST some explanation of the process of a wedding, but the real-life remembrances of this young girl. For the words themselves, I'd give the story five stars.

BUT THE PICTURES FREAK ME OUT SO BAD. The Uncanny Valley is when you have a human figure that's off just enough to make you unnerved at how unnatural it is. This isn't the Uncanny Valley, it's the Uncanny Marianas Trench. The wedding is done in sculpy clay, which would be cute if LESS detail was put on the humans, but it really looks like the artist was trying to get really true-to-life, but didn't have the necessary level of sculpting skill to either a) actually make it true to life or b) recognize their limitations and be more stylistic than realistic.

Perhaps most kids won't care. But me? I do not want this book in my house, I'm just not okay with those pictures.

[Starrmorado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya tells the story of her cousin’s wedding in dramatic detail. I liked this story because instead of focusing on the actual wedding, Maya pays more attention to everything else going on at the wedding. She is basically pointing out anything and everything that is distracting her. Two things that really made this book stand out were the illustrations Stephanie Garica uses to tell the story and the fact that it is told exactly from a young child’s point of view. Garcia uses three-dimensional picture boxes to tell the story. I’ve never seen this in a book before, but it was so cool. Having it told through a child’s perspective will easily capture the attention of young readers making it easy for them to follow along. I liked how Soto incorporated few (not too many) Spanish terms into the story. This book allows us to educate our students about different languages and backgrounds that surround us

[Kyra Wonders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a young flower girl who is describing a Mexican wedding through her eyes. She tells details of the bride and groom as well as the wedding party, until she falls asleep on the way home after a long day. One creative aspect of this book is that instead of 2D illustrations, the illustrations within the book are created with clay. It is almost a little creepy in a way but that is my personal opinion. This book is a way to show how different cultures celebrate different events. I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t my favorite because of the pictures. It would be fun to use this book in a lesson to show students creative ways of telling a story, and have them create their own story using their favorite way that they had learned about. Younger students may enjoy this different and creative approach so I would not limit my students if they wanted to attempt to possibly try and create a book like this.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute story about a young flower girl named Maya. She narrates us on her day at a Mexican wedding. Throughout this book you are shown some interesting traditions and things that happen in the Hispanic culture at their weddings. The author also does a good job incorporating some Spanish words for us to learn. I think children would think some of the traditions were interesting. The illustrations were what caught my attention. they are unique in the way they are done. the illustrations look like clay figures. The whole time i was reading through this book I kept catching myself looking at the pictures trying to figure out how the author did them. They look really cool. I probably would not have picked up this book if it was not assigned to me to read in my class but I enjoyed it.

[Megan Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Snapshots from the Wedding" by Gary Soto is a creative and fresh way to incorporate Latin culture into the classroom. Many students from all cultures will be familiar with the concept of a wedding, even if they have not experienced it yet. This book has a unique perspective about a family member's wedding because it is seen from the eyes of a young girl. The illustrations by Stephanie Garcia in this book are AMAZING. Each page has a photo of beautiful three dimensional clay art. This book also weaves in Spanish words to aid in the vivid descriptions. Ex: "He's wiggling his tongue in the space between his baby teeth, white as chiclets." I bought two copies of this book to have in my own classroom.

[Megan Piero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tells about a Mexican wedding from the point of view of a young flower girl named Maya. The illustrations in this book are just as unique as the text. The illustrations are pictures of dioramas that display an event like a "snapshot". This book also incorporates Spanish words with a glossary at the end. As a teacher, this book has a lot of potential. The authors voice is very prevalent in this story and you really feel as though a young girl is telling you the story. Also, this would be a great book for ell students because the pictures are very explanatory and because there are several Spanish words embedded in the story. This could also be used to teach about perspective because children could re-write this story from the point of view of someone else at the wedding.

[KerriRowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super sweet story of a wedding seen through a child’s eyes. Maya, the flower girl gives a full picture of the events unfolding at this wedding. The pictures are 3D and silly and are sure to bring a smile to your face. The wording is perfect for Maya’s character and it’s got a little Spanish thrown in for sweet measure. The book is able to display some Mexican traditions that take place at weddings, which I enjoyed reading about.

I think I enjoyed it most because of it’s innocence. Little kids see love like no others. They think it’s pretty and magical. They don’t think of the real stress or struggles of couples, which makes me smile. It’s an easy read and it would be cute to share with a primary class.

[Devone Smith]

“Snapshots from the Wedding” tells the story of a Mexican wedding ceremony through the eyes of a child, the flower girl, Maya. Maya’s observation takes us through all of the events of the wedding including details about the alter boy, the mariachi band, the bride and groom, etc. Maya ends the night of the wedding by falling asleep after dancing. Maya tells the story in detail and makes it feel as if you are there, too. I really liked the illustrations in this book, they were very unique as the illustrator used clay figures. I would use this book in the classroom to teach basic spanish words and cultural traditions. It would also be a good book to teach children how to write using descriptive language. I liked this book!

[Kathy Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

(1997)
Maya gets to be the flower girl in a wedding. We see through her eyes what happens throughout the wedding and into the night as family and friends celebrate the newly wed couple. Amazing detail. Pictures are of figures and things made out of sculpy clay and set up to look like photos from the wedding. Quite amazing.


Themes: Latino culture, wedding, art, family

Ideas: Study the art sculptures and detail put into each page. Try recreating a scene from your life.

Study the foods, music and language within the latino culture which goes along with this book. Listen to a mariachi band, make and eat some authentic mexican foods.
Discuss the similarities and differences of weddings within different cultures.

Pura Belpre Award (1998)

[529_Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya describes the events of aunt's wedding. It is a typical Mexican-American wedding. The wedding story is told through the eyes of the child, Maya. The book gives us examples of different types of cultural foods and customs. We are given a few sprinklings of spanish words. The illustrations are unique in that they all look like figurines. Like the figurines you would see on top of a wedding cake. It is a cute story and portrays family and culture in a positive way.

This book could also be used during Hispanic Heritage Month. I could also use this book in a lesson about comparing weddings in different cultures.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is freakishly weird. I should have known from the cover but I'm a risky kind of gal so I decided to try it anyway. The whole clay/diorama thing is just plain weird. The facial expressions are the stuff nightmares are made of. I can see how it *could* be done well, it's definitely a unique form of artwork, but here is did not work.
The text was just as bad IMO. I was going to insert a few examples here but quite honestly I don't want to crack the thing open again. Trust me or don't. It's horrible.

[Michelle Rosales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya, the flower girl, takes us through a Mexican style wedding. Danny the ring bearer has his shoe untied and groomsmen look as straight as soldiers. The beautiful bride Isabel has hands as soft as doves. Rafael the groom, pobrecito, has a cast on his arm. Isabel and Rafael say I do and they kiss longer than Maya can bear to look. The wedding cake looks like the seventh wonder of the world. The mariachis arrive and help toast to the bride and groom. Isabel throws her bouquet and after some exciting activities, it is definitely a wedding to remember.

[Romilia Human · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soto, G. (1997). Snapshots from the Wedding. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Subgroup: Traditions/Celebrations

Genre: Fiction

How it relates to the Latino cultural: The American wedding is almost the same as the Latino wedding. This book engages the reader and explains what goes on during this celebration.

Synopsis: Through this beautifully illustrated book, little Maya, the flower girl, shows us the way that her Mexican-American family celebrates a wedding. She describes the pictures she has taken at the wedding and introduces the reader to her family members.

[Shamilah Gillani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the most unique books that I have read, and I absolutely love the illustrations! The book is about a Mexican wedding told from a child's perspective. The child is really vivid in the descriptions of the family members and describes them so well. I would definitely use this book to teach descriptive writing and Spanish vocabulary. I might use this book in my around the world unit and teach students a little bit about Mexican culture through this great book.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations for this book are what make it unique. There consist of clay and found object collage in decorated picture frames.

A young girl, Maya, tells her story of attending a wedding and being part of the wedding party. From walking down the aisle to dancing to the mariachi music, we see the experience through her eyes and the often asymmetrical photo boxes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya is the flower girl in her aunt's wedding. She narrates the wedding from her point of view. She describes in detail the music, church, clothing, and food. It's a Mexican-American wedding that she will never forget. The illustrations are very creative. They include real flowers, fabric, and clay figurines. This is a great bilingual book.

[Katrina Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Introduce:
- Spanish culture
- Spanish Language
- Wedding

* Read this book when lessons are focused on diversity

* Ask students if they have ever been to a wedding
- Differences/ Similarities in Spanish culture/ other cultures weddings

* Discuss attire worn at weddings
- Would you wear this attire on a casual day to day basis?

[Hae Sun]

This authentic book about a Mexican wedding showed diversity in a celebration that is common around the world. We were able to see a different wedding through the eyes of a little girl and her snapshots from the wedding. This book introduces diversity and can be used to make text to self connections.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the 1998 Pura Belpré winner for illustration. The pictures are simply amazing and I could look at them for hours. They were created using Sculpy clay and found objects such as sugar flowers, potato chips, fabric, and even olives.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya tells the story of the wedding of Isabel and Rafael through pictures. The pictures are partially pictures and partially clay figurines. It was fun to hear the story from a 7-8 year perspective.