What Can You Do With a Rebozo?

by Carmen Tafolla, Amy Córdova (Illustrator)

What can you use
to dress up,
play hide-and-seek,
carry baby brother,
and DANCE with?

A rebozo!

In a playful celebration of a vibrant culture, a young girl and her family show all the things they do in their daily lives with a rebozo, a traditional Mexican woven shawl. Lively prose and rich illustrations honor a warm and colorful cultural icon.

You can do almost anything with a rebozo--and a little imagination!

 

 

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorful and fun book talks about the many uses that one can do with a Rebozo; a Mexican shawl that can be used for a variety of things such as wearing for clothing to carrying heavy items. The group that recommends this book is Teaching For Change-Social Justice Books. It won the award for Notable Children's Books and the Pura Belpre Honor book for illustration in 2009. I highly recommend this book because it portrays a young Mexican American girl who is full of joy and how she uses the Rebozo in many different ways which helps to show how it can be used. I also found it interesting how something so simple had so many uses and created many different memories. It also bonded the generations. I think many students would be interested in this book because students can be introduced to an aspect of Mexican culture. This book is also bilingual so it shows both English and Spanish translations. This can help to teach students Spanish who may not know any Spanish. This is also useful for students who speak Spanish at home and may not understand any English or only some. A teacher can use this book for instruction when teaching students about different cultures and languages. I really enjoyed this book and learning about the Rebozo!

[Miss Balzaretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Carmon Tafolla’s Pura Belpre Honor book, she writes about a young girl answers the book’s main question “what can you do with a rebozo?”. A rebozo is a shawl worn by Mexican women for many centuries. Their wide variety of uses is illustrated throughout the story. Cordova’s illustrations, I feel represent the Mexican culture very well as she incorporates many cultural aspects into the illustrations just as Tafolla does in the text. I like that the names of characters were authentic to Mexican culture and Tafolla incorporates some Spanish words, other than rebozo, into the story. I also really liked the particular illustration that depicts the young girl’s dance costume. I felt it does a good job representing the rebozo and the culture. I would incorporate this book into my classroom library because I feel that is a great cultural learning tool. I feel like it would be helpful for a classroom with predominantly Spanish speakers as they can read about their own culture and can be used in the classroom to talk about their culture. I think it is important to have library books that teach students about different cultures as classrooms become increasingly diverse.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What Can You Do with a Rebozo" is a 2009 Americas Award Commended Title. In this story, a girl describes the many uses for a rebozo, a Mexican shawl. The illustrations in this story are exuberant and they portray the Mexican culture in a positive, colorful light. There are many things in the illustrations that tie in the culture, for example the pieces of art on the wall in the background and the colorful clothing worn by the narrator. This book shows what a rebozo is by giving examples of its uses, it does not come out and say that a rebozo is a Mexican shawl. Readers would need to use their context clues to infer what it is if they were not familiar with this culture. The uses for the rebozo relate back to the Mexican culture, but children who are not familiar with this culture can also relate to the story while discovering different aspects of a culture that they may know nothing about.

[Saira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebozo is a Mexican Shawl that is very popular in Mexican culture. Mexican people use rebozo for different purposes. This book provides a variety of visual description of how rebozo can be used. In this story, little Mexican girl used her imagination and used the rebozo in different ways such as hair accessory, bandage for the dog, cape, tunnel, tent, slide, dancing props, and in the end as a blanket.
This book can be used in Early childhood classroom to teach about Mexican culture, their language, clothes, holiday, etc. The teacher can also use this as a starting point for a STEM activity and provide different items to students and ask them to come up with different ways to use those items. For instance, the teacher can provide a box to students and ask them to come up with different ways to use it. Children can use their imagination and come up with different ways. For Example, as a pillow as a stepping stool, like a robot, or like a shelf, etc

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations for this are immensely cheerful, bright, and engaging. I also love that the focus of the story is on taking an ordinary shawl and finding many imaginative and practical uses for it, everything from keeping warm to making a slide for stuffed animals. I had actually not heard of a rebozo before this, and the books is a good introduction to this particular cultural artifact. The note at the end, which explains rebozos a bit further and gives their background as being particularly Mexican, also adds to the text. The questions to explore with children in the endnotes are a bit brief, but I like that they are supposed to use their imaginations to come up with more uses. I also liked the way the family is portrayed here, with all of them together for holidays, working and playing together. This is a charming book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in both Spanish and English. It is a question and answer book that teaches students a little bit about Mexico's culture. During the narrative the Rebozo is never defined, instead the reader is able to imply what a Rebozo is from the creative question/answer format. In the end there is an authors note giving a more en-depth explanation of a Rebozo. This book works great in a culturally diverse classroom because the students who identify with the culture become very engaged to see a small part of their culture come to life across the pages while students from other cultures are able to learn about and connect this new culture to parts of their own.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade: K-3
Subject: Family, traditions, Spanish, Bilingual
Vocabulary/Key Concepts: rebozo
Awards: 2009 Pura Belpré Award, honor book

Students may enjoy the playful connection the main character has with her cultures’ use of the Mexican shawl. It is noted that the illustrations have been drawn with acrylic on paper. The paint gives the illustrations a different look that really grabs the attention of the reader who cannot help but be drawn into the text solely by the pictures. I would use this book with my bilingual students to talk about other traditions their families practice and to write an informative piece to present to the class.

[Maddy Rigsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to expose children to different cultures. This story explores the Mexican Culture and a popular garment in the culture, the Rebozo. The Rebozo is a Mexican shawl that can be used for many different uses. This would be a great book to follow with possibly an activity where students decorate their own paper Rebozo.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What Can You Do with a Rebozo/Que Puedes hacer con un Rebozo?" demonstrates the many uses of a Mexican shawl. The text is presented in both English and Spanish and the illustrations are beautiful and rich with color.

Text-to-Self: One of the uses for a rebozo is as a wrap in which an infant can be carried or "worn" by a caregiver. I wore my youngest in a variety of carriers well into his toddlerhood. It was a wonderful experience to have him close and safe and have a free hand or two to do other tasks like the mother in this story when she braids her older child's hair. I looked at rebozos for a long time before deciding to get other types of wraps and slings.

Text-to-Text: I've tried to think of another children's book this relates to, but I cannot get past how much I've thought about "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel since reading it. "Like Water for Chocolate" is an adult novel filled with magical realism and is an altogether different story of tradition for a Latin@ family. The youngest daughter is charged with remaining single and living with her mother to care for her into her old age. The characters feel bound by their traditions in that adult novel. In this picture book, though, the traditional rebozo is a beautiful, useful, and happy part of their day-to-day lives.

Text-to-World: This story brings to mind the importance of personal items in our culture. How belongings of loved ones' can be special to us and bring good memories when we see or think of them. The child is talking about her mother's shawl and how she admires it, recognizes its function, and feels close to her mother when she is close to it. This reminds me how important it can be for people to have grandpa's watch, or a great aunt's ring, or a crazy afghan a grandmother made from all the yarn scraps in her stash.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What Can You Do with a Rebozo?" written by Carmen Tafolla and illustrated by Amy Cordova is an illustrated work of poetry that would likely appeal to younger audiences (preK-Gr2) or would serve as a colorful and inviting introduction to a cultural unit on Mexico. The author answers her own question with a series of uses, ranging from practical to theatrical, for the common wide scarf worn and used by Mexican women.
This book appealed to me because of a personal connection. When I was pretty miserably 7 months pregnant with my second child and after spending too much money trying numerous support belts, my midwife shared that some of her patients of Hispanic heritage used a rebozo tied around their bellies as support. I gratefully used this advice for months and never thought much more about it until I came across this title.
The content of the story centers around an element common to all countries and culture, attire. This makes the story relate-able even if students may be unfamiliar with a rebozo itself. Additionally the vibrant illustrations set the tone of a loving, playful and energetic household. The final pages offer factual information on the use of the rebozo in Mexican culture and suggest an extension activity in which readers can imagine their own uses for the scarf. I believe students in an elementary classroom could enjoy this activity as those familiar with the rebozo can take pride in sharing their experiences and those who are unfamiliar with the scarf in their own families can still contribute by letting their imaginations run wild!

[Deann]

What Can You Do With a Rebozo? By Carmen Tafolla Primary
Text to World
In the book What Can You Do With a Rebozo? you learn how a rebozo can be wrapped into a “cozy cradle” for a baby. Many people who have babies or young children with them use a wrap like the rebozo. They use them to “baby wear” I noticed a trend when I had my last baby. The rebozo meets many needs of people.

This book does expose children to multiple perspectives and values.
The book is written in English and Spanish. The book describes all the ways you can use a rebozo. The illustrations are great in this book. They show the close family bond. They show the little girl in a traditional dress. The book tells and illustrates traditions like piñatas. I really like the end of the book. It goes on to tell what a rebozo is used for today. They are worn at weddings, fiestas, and quinceaneras. I love the next page where asks, “What can you do with a Rebozo?”

1. Remembering: What were some different things you can do with a rebozo?
2. Understanding: Explain why the author gave this book the title she did.
3 Applying: How would you use a rebozo?
4: Analyzing: What evidence can you find that shows a rebozo is versatile?
5 Evaluating: Would you recommend a rebozo to other people? Why or why not?
6: Creating: Invent another way you can use a rebozo.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so interesting for children I believe. It mainly focuses on a rebozo which are a very popular clothing item/accessory with Mexicans. They become anything you need them to be and more. I like the aspect of the book expressing how one can use their imagination for a rebozo to be anything you want it to be. I think this book is age appropriate for grades from maybe K-5. The plot in this book is not really a rich plot. The character illustrations are very realistic and I think that is amazing so that hispanic children see this and see that someone in a book actually looks like them. I do like the illustrations, they are very colorful and do show a lot of hispanic culture which is the main goal. The colors are so vibrant and they catch the readers attention. Rebozos are a really big part of many celebrations in Mexico and them being the main topic of the book is great. I do wish that it offered more cultural information and background in the book. At the back of the book it does offer questions to discuss after which is good for comprehension for everyone. I do also like that the author showed a lot of the family in this book. I know that the main focus about the book is a piece of fabric but young children do get attached to objects and I think that some children may relate to this in that way as well.

[Ashley Porter]

Summary
In this heartwarming book, a young girl is explaining all of the ways you can use a rebozo. A rebozo is a Mexican shawl that has been in the culture for many, many years. She explains you can use it as a blanket, as a towel to clean up messes, to carry a baby around in, which is only a few of the several ways to use a rebozo.

Evaluation
I enjoyed this book because it was a heartwarming story that seemed very family oriented. Through the colorful illustrations and many ways the young girl is describing the rebozo, you are able to tell that rebozo's are an important part of the Mexican culture. I think this book would be valuable if you were teaching in a school with a Hispanic population because it may be relate able to students and make them feel important and special.

Teaching idea
I would use this book for a writing activity for students to practice their brainstorming and writing. I would read it aloud to my class and then give students a web graphic organizer. Students would come up with something that is important to them or something that has been important in their family, and write that in the middle of their web. On the outer branches, students would write the reasons that item is important or the ways they use it. Once students have completed their graphic organizer, they would use it to then write their story.

[Osamantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Can You Do With A Rebozo? is an informational text which describes the various ways in which the traditional Rebozo can be used. A rebozo is a long, wide piece of woven cloth that can come in a variety of colors and materials. The narrator, a little girl who's name we never learn tells us about how it can be used as a makeshift baby carrier, hair decoration, blindfold, and even a towel.

As this is an informational text it does not include a problem/resolution, or even a plot really. However, the characters are very realistic, the lively pictures showing them use the rebozo in new and inventive ways really bring the story to life. They most definitely help paint a bigger picture when answering the question "What can you do with a rebozo?" or even "What is a rebozo?" Both the author and illustrator are of Latina decent, lending credence to the validity of the information.

I feel that this would be a good addition to my text set as it would easily serve as a jumping board to discuss differences in traditional cultural dress.

[Cayla Caudillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon Review
Para los ninos, Tafolla and Cordova weave together a delightful swirl of color, rhythm, and rhyme, delightful as a rebozo.

Carmen Tafolla is a widely anthologized Mexican-American poet, with poems and stories for children and adults appearing in more than two hundred anthologies. A recipient of the Art of Peace Award, she has been recognized by the Texas Book Festival, Wellington International Poetry Festival, and the National Association of Chicano Studies. She enjoys inventing uses for her rebozos in San Antonio, Texas, where she lives with her husband, children, mother, and many pets in a hundred-year-old house. Amy Cordova is an artist and art educator who has spent many years exploring culture, community, and sense of place. She lives in northern New Mexico, where she and her partner, Dan Enger, own a gallery brimming with their bold and colorful works. She also lives with two magical Chihuahuas, Unica and Onesimo, who fill her days with happy inspiration.

[Jenna Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book shows numerous ways to use a rebozo. The Mexican shawl is used by various family members throughout the book to keep warm, wipe up spills, built forts, dance, and many more possibilities. While there is no plot line to the story, this book paints a beautiful picture of one piece of Mexican culture through celebrating a piece of clothing. The illustrations and use of specific colors show the vibrant Mexican culture and the joy the rebozo can bring when it is used for its many purposes. Parents and teachers can use the last page as an activity to get children to imagine what they could do with a rebozo. This activity could also be extended beyond the rebozo where children are encouraged to use their imagination to find as many creative, silly, practical, beautiful way to use other objects. These objects could be as simple as a paperclip, but they get children thinking creatively about objects they encounter every day.

[Kayla]

I really enjoyed this story! It posed the question, "What can you do with a Rebozo?" In the story, the girl explains all the things you could do with a rebozo. For instance, you can use it do dress up, hold a baby, put in your hair, clean up, dance, keep warm, etc. It can be used for any purpose and tends to be helpful in every way! Rebozos are Mexican shawls that are handy. They can be used for anything like showed in the book. The illustrations did great at showing how one can use a Rebozo and went well with the text. It is made of the finest silk or cotton. Of course you can pose the questions like "what is the silliest thing you have used a rebozo for, what is the most practical way, when is it most creative and/or beautiful?" It is culturally diverse because students can learn about a Mexican shawl and the uses for it.

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, simple story told by a young Mexican-American girl who shares with the reader the different ways in which you can use a rebozo, which is a Mexican shawl worn by women. Rebozos can be used for a wide variety of things. According to author Carmen Tafolla, the rebozo can be used for dressing up for a party, wrapping a baby, or carrying loads of firewood. It can be used as an umbrella, a cape, or even as a towel. Rebozos come in many colors, and can be made from a variety of materials. Some are finely made, and others are simply made of cotton.

This story exposes readers to Mexican clothing, hair styles, pinata, artwork, and dance styles through the illustrations and use of the rebozo.

[Sandra Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Can You Do with a Rebozo? is a book centered around a rebozo. The book explains that a rebozo is, a woven shall that many use in the Mexican culture. This book teaches children the importance of a rebozo because it shows how it can be used. This book is appropriate because it depicts something of importance within the Mexican culture. One thing to mention is that other countries too, for example those in Central America, also use something similar to a rebozo.
This book uses appealing illustrations, the main focus is on the beautiful red rebozo. This book makes children aware of a traditional wear. Today many people do not wear rebozos but the older women do. The book is appropriate for children in kindergarten to second grade.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mexican-American girl finds that her mother's rebozo, or Mexican shawl, can be used in many practical, decorative and imaginative ways. It is understandable why this book was listed as a 2009 ALA Notable Children's Book, as well as a 2009 Pura Belpre Illustration Honor Book. The brightly colored illustrations bring to mind the wonderful rainbow of colors and patterns that can be found in traditional Mexican clothing and art. The rhyme, rhythm and simple, but well-crafted text, make this story accessible and enjoyable to younger readers, whether they are listening to the story or reading it to themselves.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a Mexican-American girl and her family. They showed the many ways a rebozo( Mexican shawl) can be used. It is simple yet informative. It is very colorful, which kind of depicts the colors of the Mexican art.
I like the rhythm in the book as well. The illustrations grabbed my attention as they were bright and welcoming. This book basically teaches us about a little part of the Mexican culture.
My research about this book, lead me to discovering that it was listed as a 2009 ALA Notable Children's Book as well as a 2009 Pura Belpre Illustration Honor Book.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Can You do with a Rebozo by Carmen Tafolla is one of Harriet's current favorite books. She picked it for its colorful cover with a little girl holding up a red rebozo over her head. The girl on the cover reminds my daughter of one of her best friends.

A rebozo is a sturdy and colorful Mexican shall that women use for a number of purposes from covering their heads to slinging their children. The book has a number of other uses from super hero capes, to blankets, to slides and all sorts of ideas.

What Can You do with a Rebozo is on our frequent check out list. Harriet has taken to using her purple "night-night" blanket as a makeshift rebozo.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Can You Do with a Rebozo? By Carmen Tafolla introduces the reader to traditional Mexican clothing, specifically the rebozo. Through this cute story of all the things you can “do” with a rebozo, it also familiarizes the reader with a staple of Mexican clothing and culture. According to the book there are a GREAT many things you can do with a rebozo, aside from "just" wearing it. This book is a beautiful celebration of Mexican culture from the importance of family, tradition, and clothing. The illustrations, while nothing too spectacular or different, work very well with the story- they are fun, beautiful and colorful reflecting the rich Mexican heritage the book is about.

[Victoria]

This book is about a Mexican girl and her family. She explains all of the different things that her family does with a rebozo, or Mexican shawl, such as using it to keep warm or clean up spills. This book is full of colorful illustrations that can help children appreciate the colors and patterns used in traditional Mexican clothing and art. The illustrations also help to depict dance styles of Mexican culture. This book can help children understand that a simple object (such as a rebozo) can hold much significance within a family of a specific cultural background.

[Carlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a Mexican girl and her family. She explains all of the different things that her family does with a rebozo, or Mexican shawl, such as using it to keep warm or clean up spills. This book is full of colorful illustrations that can help children appreciate the colors and patterns used in traditional Mexican clothing and art. The illustrations also help to depict dance styles of Mexican culture. This book can help children understand that a simple object (such as a rebozo) can hold much significance within a family of a specific cultural background

[Evelyn Mauldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cordova wrote this book about a "rebozo," which is a Mexican blanket that women use in many different ways. The book features a young girl who demonstrates the all the different uses of rebozos, such as blankets, carriers for children, make-believe props, and fashion statements. Cordova brings a different cultural item into light, yet relates it to activities that a common across many families. This book would be beneficial in explaining traditional objects in other cultures, but could also be related back to experiences of specific children in the classroom.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently you can do quite a bit with a rebozo--and a little imagination! Wonder where I can get one? This was a 2009 Pura Belpre Award honor book for illustrations. I'd like to know exactly how the big sister roped the rebozo through her hair. I would think it would be too bulky. I appreciated the added information about rebozos at the end of the book, and the discussion questions as well. Very nice!

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book conjures up images of the days where a blanket could be a superhero cape, wings, or (with a box or a table) a tent. Here, a young girl shows what a rebozo -- a woven Mexican shawl -- can do, from fanciful to practical. A nice addition are the questions students can answer in the back, on what they might be able to do with a rebozo. The illustrations, like the book, are colorful and fanciful, and the text is easy to read.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
A young girl and her family show the endless uses for a rebozo, a traditional Mexican woven shawl, in their daily lives. From a shoulder or hair wrap, to a play toy for hide and seek or peek-a-boo, to a shawl for warmth, a cape for a costume, or even a towel to wipe up spills. This item is obviously more than just a piece of clothing to the Hispanic culture; it is an essential part of their everyday lives and family!

[Gail Barge]

What a fun book! I loved this book right away, and it introduced me to something I was not familiar with: a rebozo! This book shows how important such a simple object can be to families in a specific culture. I would like to use this book in a class with a majority or Mexican students and see if they are familiar with a rebozo. This could also led to a sharing time where students bring in objects that are important in their families culture.