Laio de Calaendulas

Sofía Martínez

by Jacqueline Jules, Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Instead of the usual dusting, Sofia volunteers to wash the car--but when she leaves the hose on, her mother's marigolds get flooded and she calls on her sisters to save the situation.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Family, Picture Books, Cultural, Spanish Literature, Chapter Books

ebook

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

I am a children's author, teacher, librarian, and poet. My books include the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, Pluto is Peeved, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, Duck for Turkey Day, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Feathers for Peacock. Please visit me at http://www.jacquelinejules.com

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm crazy about Sofia Martinez. These books are the perfect blend of Hispanic culture with the broad American culture. The first girl who checked out one of my Sofia books from my primary school library brought it back to me a little while after she had a chance to look at it more closely. "It's in Spanish," she told me sadly. "No," I told her, "it's mostly in English, with a few Spanish words." I showed her the glossary of Spanish words and their meanings and she brightened. "I know a lot of these words anyway," she told me happily. She returned it a few days later and asked for another Sofia. The reading level is ideal for our early chapter book readers in first and second grade.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great way to start learning Spanish words! The Sofia Martinez series is a fun way to learn Spanish words. I always look for this series when I go to the library; it seems to be very popular, and I think I still have a couple more books to read. Sometimes when you are learning a new language books for children can seem less threatening.

[Anina Falco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sofia would like a new chore, and anything sounds better than dusting! Unfortunately, she realizes other chores may not be as easy as she thought! With the help of her sisters and cousin, everything worked out in the end! This story teaches a wonderful lesson, and I would be very grateful to have it in my classroom library. I would recommend this story for readers in 2nd to 4th grade.

[Tegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. I liked the inclusion of the Spanish words and the glossary in the back. Monarch 2019 nominee.

[Natasha Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's important to do chores because you're helping your parents and you're also cleaning. My favorite part of the story is when they were all dirty they got to take showers with the hose & they all had a good time. ~Sofía

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little chapter book!

The Marigold Mess is a story about Sofia and the trouble she gets into when she’s washing her parents’ car. It has a clear plot (useful for beginning/middle/end lessons) and sprinkled some Spanish words and phrases throughout. I think my class this year will especially like it because I have a good number of Spanish speakers!

It wasn’t funny at all and the story is a little on the bland side which is disappointing, but I could still add this series to my chapter book repertoire, especially so my students can see themselves in the characters in our stories.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book for kids who are moving into chapter books. It has short chapters and a nice story line. This story is about Sophia wanting to trade chores with her brother to wash the family car instead of dusting the house. She runs into trouble when her cousin breaks the side mirror and water hose floods her mom's marigolds. Good problem solving for an everyday problem. This might spark some discussion about kids asking for help when things go wrong. Highly recommended for Gr. 2-4.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loved this book. He enjoys trying to pronounce the Spanish that is sprinkled throughout. Aviva on Wild Kratts certainly helps and luckily all of the Spanish we've encountered in books so far are words that I actually know so that I'm (hopefully) teaching him how to pronounce them correctly.

This is a cute story, just not memorable. I like that it's laid out in chapters and is more advanced than many of the other books on the Monarch list.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story for kids. I loved how Jules scatters a few Spanish words around the dialog along with a glossary in the back of the book to help students translate. It will be very helpful if you point out the glossary to kids before they start reading to prevent frustration. I'm looking forward to the other Sofia Martinez series books and hope they introduce a few Latino cultural aspects beyond just words and phrases.

Recommended

[Dee Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sofia and her friends are washing her father's car, they completely destroy her mother's marigold garden. Now Sofia and her friends have to band together to find a way to fix the garden before her mother comes home.

Engaging and funny early chapter book that highlights cooperation, community building, and problem solving.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tired of dusting every Saturday morning, Sofia switches chores with her dad and begins washing the care. While goofing off, the car and the nearby marigolds get damaged, so it's time to ask for help. A super cute and relatable story for beginning readers introducing some Spanish words throughout. Similar to relatable stories and length of Yasmin, Pedro, and Camila series.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book in English with Spanish words sprinkled throughout. This could be great for students practicing using context clues to determine word meaning. I also like the questions at the end that could be used to foster discussions between students and teacher or parent and child(ren).

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with short chapters - 1st/2nd

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little read. Only downside was there is no pronunciation guide with the glossary in the back.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Especially appropriate for Latinos, with a variety of Spanish words inserted. A glossary is included, but no pronunciation guide for those who might need it.
Monarch Nominee 2019

[Kelly]

This was a cute book. I've always like Jacqueline Jules' books. I think a 1st-2nd grader could read this one. Sofia is Hispanic.

[Kelly Jahng · Rating 4 out of 5]

high-early reader, three chapters, includes highlighted Spanish vocabulary with a glossary at the end. Good representation of a family of color and an involved Dad.

[Heather Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids needed to hear this one tonight! Chores are a necessary evil, but when done with pride and working together, it can be manageable.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borders beginning chapter and easy reader - cute realistic story with some Spanish thrown in

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story for a 1st—3rd grader.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, simple story about the necessary role of doing chores and why it is important for everyone in the family to help out.

[Elise Weidhaas · Rating 2 out of 5]

good book but I’m too old to read it lol

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Tired of the same household chore, Sofia switches with her father and creates a mess. Engaging

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short easy reader chapter book. A lot of my students love these books and I can see why. Very relatable for my hispanic students.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sofia makes a mess of her mother's marigolds while cleaning the car! What will she do now?

I'd never heard of Sofia Martinez, until this book, but if I was still teaching first grade, I'd make sure to have the full series in my classroom library. (It's a little (read: lot) too young for fifth graders.)

It's a great series about a cute little girl and the little girl conflicts she ends up in. Spanish words are scattered throughout the book, with a handy Spanish glossary at the end you can use to figure out the words you didn't know.

As a multi-cultural example, and as just a good early reader book, Sofia shines.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute easy reader with chapters that talks about a normal day (chores and getting into messes) and incorporates spanish words. Good for beginning readers and people who are trying to incorporate Spanish and English.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

We shelve as easy chapter book, but might also work as an advanced early reader--very simple grammar and clear type nicely spread out on the page. All Spanish words are printed in contrasting color and included in a glossary. My favorite of the series so far is The Missing Mouse

[ReadingMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

El sábado es un día de limpieza para la familia de Sofía. Usualmente, Sofía se desempolva pero esta tiempo, ella se ofrece a lavar un coche y regar el jardín. Por supuesto, ella hizo un gran lío. Afortunadamente, todo está bien al final.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute early chapter book with a smattering of Spanish thrown in.