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Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish And English
In simple words and sun-drenched paintings, Alma Flor Ada and Simón Silva take us into the fields and orchards, and into the lives of the people who work them. Simple poems in Spanish and English, one for each letter of the Spanish alphabet, describe the wonder of the vegetable and fruit farms. Together, the poems and the rich illustrations celebrate the glory of nature and the hearts of all who dedicate their lives to working the land.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
8 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Alma Flor Ada
671 books188 followers(http://facebook.com/almaflorada)
Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor in Chief of :
NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education
She has been active for many years in various professional associations including : IRA, International Reading Association
CRA, California Reading Association
CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education
USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People
She is a member of :
Advisory Board of Loose Leaf Public Radio Programs
National Television Workshop
Between the Lines
Reading Up!, Natural Head Start Association
A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.
The award-winning author of numerous children’s books and a prolific translator, Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.
She has authored several reading programs, among them two Spanish reading programs :
Cielo abierto (K-6)
Vamos de fiesta! (K-3)
and of two English reading programs :
Signatures (K-6)
Collections (K- 6)
and is a series consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5), a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.
Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are :
Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books
Puertas al Sol - Pathways to the Sun, published by Santillana
Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana
Dr. Ada received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.
Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor in Chief of :
NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education
She has been active for many years in various professional associations including : IRA, International Reading Association
CRA, California Reading Association
CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education
USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People
She is a member of :
Advisory Board of Loose Leaf Public Radio Programs
National Television Workshop
Between the Lines
Reading Up!, Natural Head Start Association
A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.
The award-winning author of numerous children’s books and a prolific translator, Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.
She has authored several reading programs, among them two Spanish reading programs :
Cielo abierto (K-6)
Vamos de fiesta! (K-3)
and of two English reading programs :
Signatures (K-6)
Collections (K- 6)
and is a series consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5), a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.
Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are :
Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books
Puertas al Sol - Pathways to the Sun, published by Santillana
Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana
Dr. Ada received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 27, 2017
A wonderful collection of simple, yet always tenderly evocative poems, one for every letter of the Spanish alphabet, Alma Flor Ada's amazing dual-language, lushly and brilliantly illustrated alphabet book not only captures the sun, the meadows, the fields of Mexico and the Southern United States, it is also an important and heartfelt homage to migrant farm workers, to people like César Chavez (to whom Gathering the Sun is dedicated), to those individuals who work hard (who must work hard) in the fields so that we can buy and enjoy fresh produce at reasonable and affordable prices. The poetical text selections of Gathering the Sun are straightforward, effortless and delightfully uncluttered, but also always rich, full of flavour and a myriad of nuances, textually capturing the sights, sounds, the tastes of water, tomatoes, beets, showing what farming, what the life of a farm worker is, or can be. Neither too elementary nor too complex, Gathering the Sun is a true reading pleasure and treasure that can be (and should be) appreciated by both children and adults, and would indeed be a wonderful and versatile teaching and learning tool in beginning level (and even basic intermediate) Spanish language classes. Highly recommended in almost every way imaginable and if I could give Gathering the Sun more than five stars, I most definitely would!
July 29, 2011
This book is absolutely stunning!
As soon as I read the description I thought of César Chávez and lo and behold, he’s C, and also the book is (fittingly) dedicated to him. As it’s about the contributions of farm workers, this felt perfect to me. Also wonderful is that the illustrator grew up in a family who were migrant farm workers and he worked the fields as a young child. How special that he could turn such hardship into such vibrant and beautiful paintings. They’re really amazing. They’re bold and colorful and seem evocative of his childhood.
My favorite page is Q = Querer = Love because it depicts a grandfather (I’m nearly certain it’s a grandfather and not a father) sitting up against a tree reading to his grandchildren. Books & love!
I really appreciate that the alphabet here is A to Z using the Spanish words. Usually, it’s the other way around and English comes first.
Each letter has a poem, first in Spanish and then the same poem in English. I loved the poems; I thought they were so good.
I was touched by the poetry, by its meanings (including the ones about specific vegetables and fruits and flowers), and by the art work, and by the bilingual effort. This is a wonderful book for Spanish readers learning ESL and also English readers wanting to learn to read Spanish.
As soon as I read the description I thought of César Chávez and lo and behold, he’s C, and also the book is (fittingly) dedicated to him. As it’s about the contributions of farm workers, this felt perfect to me. Also wonderful is that the illustrator grew up in a family who were migrant farm workers and he worked the fields as a young child. How special that he could turn such hardship into such vibrant and beautiful paintings. They’re really amazing. They’re bold and colorful and seem evocative of his childhood.
My favorite page is Q = Querer = Love because it depicts a grandfather (I’m nearly certain it’s a grandfather and not a father) sitting up against a tree reading to his grandchildren. Books & love!
I really appreciate that the alphabet here is A to Z using the Spanish words. Usually, it’s the other way around and English comes first.
Each letter has a poem, first in Spanish and then the same poem in English. I loved the poems; I thought they were so good.
I was touched by the poetry, by its meanings (including the ones about specific vegetables and fruits and flowers), and by the art work, and by the bilingual effort. This is a wonderful book for Spanish readers learning ESL and also English readers wanting to learn to read Spanish.
May 30, 2015
The first thing that hits you is the orange of Simon Silva's sun-drenched illustrations in this lovely Spanish/English ABC picture book built around the theme of Hispanic Farm workers. A poem about a particular crop follows each letter of the Spanish language alphabet and is then translated into English. Very nice and includes some challenging Spanish for young native speakers reading the book.
May 8, 2011
Beautiful illustrations. An alphabet book like I have never seen before.
Gracias
Thanks
Wind and sky, rain and sun,
cloud and shade, field and flower.
Thank you, Earth,
for all of your delicious fruits.
Lovely poems for every letter of the alphabet and illustrated in vibrant colors that are as colorful as Mexico itself.
Gracias
Thanks
Wind and sky, rain and sun,
cloud and shade, field and flower.
Thank you, Earth,
for all of your delicious fruits.
Lovely poems for every letter of the alphabet and illustrated in vibrant colors that are as colorful as Mexico itself.
February 1, 2009
An alphabet book with poems in Spanish and English, Gathering the Sun, by Alma Flor Ada, focuses on the lives of migrant workers and offers short but meaningful and inspiring poems for every letter of the alphabet. The word for the letter O is Oregullo, Pride. The poem that follows describes how every child in our schools should feel, regardless of their heritage:
Pride
Proud of my family
Proud of my language
Proud of my culture
Proud of my people
Proud of being who I am.
Simón Silva’s illustrations are equally inspiring, and the oranges, blues and yellow that color his skies and fields are the super-intensified colors you see through polarized lenses on the clearest and sunniest days. I realize, after reading his biography and the descriptions of the paintings on his website’s art gallery, that he was the perfect pick to accompany the poems of Mexican honor, dignity, family and love in Alma Flor Ada’s book. I urge you to review his website at: www.simonsilva.com
Not simply to be used an ABC book, Gathering the Sun provides curriculum connections for a wide range of ages. For example, the letter C presents a poem about César Chávez (and the entire book is dedicated to his living memory). Older students learning about the 1930’s, the Depression, activism, unions, or famous Americans could focus on the contrast of this book’s poems and illustrations, (which convey the workers and their families living a contented life and having comfortably appointed homes) with the realities experienced by migrant workers in the mid 20th century and the contributions of Chávez which helped to create a better life for the workers. America’s Story from The Library of Congress website provided an easy to use biography of Chávez at: www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page....
For younger students the book could be used to discuss families, communities, or the contributions of agricultural workers.
Pride
Proud of my family
Proud of my language
Proud of my culture
Proud of my people
Proud of being who I am.
Simón Silva’s illustrations are equally inspiring, and the oranges, blues and yellow that color his skies and fields are the super-intensified colors you see through polarized lenses on the clearest and sunniest days. I realize, after reading his biography and the descriptions of the paintings on his website’s art gallery, that he was the perfect pick to accompany the poems of Mexican honor, dignity, family and love in Alma Flor Ada’s book. I urge you to review his website at: www.simonsilva.com
Not simply to be used an ABC book, Gathering the Sun provides curriculum connections for a wide range of ages. For example, the letter C presents a poem about César Chávez (and the entire book is dedicated to his living memory). Older students learning about the 1930’s, the Depression, activism, unions, or famous Americans could focus on the contrast of this book’s poems and illustrations, (which convey the workers and their families living a contented life and having comfortably appointed homes) with the realities experienced by migrant workers in the mid 20th century and the contributions of Chávez which helped to create a better life for the workers. America’s Story from The Library of Congress website provided an easy to use biography of Chávez at: www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page....
For younger students the book could be used to discuss families, communities, or the contributions of agricultural workers.
April 23, 2017
"Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English" by Alma Flor Ada is a poetry picture book that celebrates the work and lives of Hispanic migrant farmworkers. On each page is a short poem, in both Spanish and English, that illustrates the farm fields and the daily lives of the laborers.
This is a great book for all elementary aged students. It can be used as a read aloud in K-2, and used more for independent activities in the upper grades. For the younger grades, I could use this book to introduce diverse poetry books. In the upper grades, when talking about different forms of poetry, I can talk about free verse poems and afterwards have the students write their own ABC poems in response to this book. This is a great culturally relevant resource to involve talks about César Chávez, activism, migrant laborers, and celebrating differences.
This is a "WOW" book for me because of its beautifully written poems and illustrations. I especially liked how it was written in both Spanish and English (and how the poems were following the Spanish alphabet, not English!), which I believe helped me understand and connect to the stories on a deeper level. I especially really liked the poems "Honor" and "Orgullo (Pride)" because I felt a personal connection between them and my own heritage.
This is a great book for all elementary aged students. It can be used as a read aloud in K-2, and used more for independent activities in the upper grades. For the younger grades, I could use this book to introduce diverse poetry books. In the upper grades, when talking about different forms of poetry, I can talk about free verse poems and afterwards have the students write their own ABC poems in response to this book. This is a great culturally relevant resource to involve talks about César Chávez, activism, migrant laborers, and celebrating differences.
This is a "WOW" book for me because of its beautifully written poems and illustrations. I especially liked how it was written in both Spanish and English (and how the poems were following the Spanish alphabet, not English!), which I believe helped me understand and connect to the stories on a deeper level. I especially really liked the poems "Honor" and "Orgullo (Pride)" because I felt a personal connection between them and my own heritage.
April 25, 2016
Gathering the Sun is an amazing, multicultural poetry book that uses the Spanish Alphabet and poems in English and Spanish to display culture. Throughout this book, the poems take the reader through fields and celebrations to display the Hispanic culture through short poetic lines. This book exposes students to many forms of poetry and brings diverse culture into the classroom. All students can connect to at least one of the poems in the book regardless of their culture and realize how similar, but yet different we all really are. A sense of pride in one's culture is very prevalent throughout the book and the verses teach students to learn about and love their culture. In the classroom, students could partner read this if enough students speak Spanish. It would be a great way to involve Spanish speakers and English speakers to remind Hispanic students that even though they are learning English, they should always remember where they came from and their native culture. This book is a WOW book because of the way it displays culture as something to love and be proud of in our life. It helps students recognize the differences between even the alphabets and become intrigued with the variations.
April 24, 2016
WOW! Gathering the Sun was such a fun and entertaining book to read. The authors took the reader into fields, orchards and through the lives of people who work in these settings. There is a poem for each letter of the alphabet. But the twist is the poems are written in both English and Spanish. The poems describe many different things, like the fruits and vegetables found in the farms. The poems and illustrations allow the reader to take a journey through these farms and the people who work in them.
This was one of my wow books because it was entertaining and informational. I never really enjoyed poetry before but this was not the case for this book. I was intrigued by the Spanish throughout the book and I thought about how great this book would be to use in the classroom. It would be a great way to introduce the Spanish culture in the classroom. You could get one of your students who know how to read Spanish to read the Spanish part of the book to the class.
This was one of my wow books because it was entertaining and informational. I never really enjoyed poetry before but this was not the case for this book. I was intrigued by the Spanish throughout the book and I thought about how great this book would be to use in the classroom. It would be a great way to introduce the Spanish culture in the classroom. You could get one of your students who know how to read Spanish to read the Spanish part of the book to the class.
February 2, 2009
Author, Alma Flor Ada created a dynamic Spanish alphabet book that traces the lives of migrant farm workers. Each page features a letter and a descriptive poem alongside an English translation by Rosa Zubizarreta. Included are the Spanish letters Ch and Ll which the author notes that while these two letters are no longer separate letters in the Spanish alphabet, they are preserved in this text in respect for tradition and the love of the language. Illustrator, Simon Silva, draws upon his own recollections of childhood in a farm worker family to bring his vibrant paintings to life.
This beautiful alphabet book is one that can promote an appreciation for diversity as well as provide enjoyment. I would recommend this text for an early childhood classroom library.
This beautiful alphabet book is one that can promote an appreciation for diversity as well as provide enjoyment. I would recommend this text for an early childhood classroom library.
February 9, 2010
This translated alphabet book of poetry presents an authentic picture of hard working, loving families. Two themes appear throughout and are enforced by the illustrations; field workers and family. These are supplimented with both historical and geographical information for a child to experience. The illustrations for Gathering the Sun almost exude the heat that might be experienced from the sun on a hot summer day. The poetry and illustrations bring to mind another book, Esperanza Rising, a story about loving family relationships and hot summers in the California migrant workers camps.
August 16, 2013
Never before have I wanted so desperately to be able to read Spanish as when I read this book. Beautiful.
A wondering, though. Nearly all the Latino/Latina children's books I've encountered follow migrant families. None of the Mexican families in my school are migrant workers, although I'd be willing to assume some of their family/friends are. I'm just concerned that we're just creating a new stereotype to replace any old stereotypes? Or does the value of having more Mexican representation in literature PERIOD outweigh that risk?
A wondering, though. Nearly all the Latino/Latina children's books I've encountered follow migrant families. None of the Mexican families in my school are migrant workers, although I'd be willing to assume some of their family/friends are. I'm just concerned that we're just creating a new stereotype to replace any old stereotypes? Or does the value of having more Mexican representation in literature PERIOD outweigh that risk?
September 11, 2013
I have been thinking lately that we do not honor the people who work hard doing manual labor. Things like repainting our house, replacing the roof (damaged by hail), landscaping and green area maintenance, even child care. In fact, it seems that we reserve our honor more for people who make a lot of money, rather than people who do good, honest work, day in and day out, not just manual labor, but work that simply isn't paid well. This book may not remedy that, but it does honor, and beautifully, the farm workers, especially those from Mexico.
The paintings are the first things you notice with this book - deep rich color. Palette-wise, these are not my personal favorites, but you can't help but love and appreciate the quality of these pictures. The second thing that I admire about the book is the parallel arranging of the Spanish poems with their English translations. I know a bit of Spanish - enough to puzzle out the meanings of some of the poems and then check myself by reading the English words. The translations are not always completely parallel - sometimes, the phrasing is inverted, in order to avoid awkward constructions in English, but I appreciate the effort involved in making the wordings comparable.
But, the strength of the book is really in the respect shown towards the work, the workers, and their families. It is an honor to read this book.
Recommended especially for schools that have students with Mexican ancestry or significant numbers of Spanish-speaking students. But really, just about any children could benefit from seeing this amount of respect shown to farm workers.
The paintings are the first things you notice with this book - deep rich color. Palette-wise, these are not my personal favorites, but you can't help but love and appreciate the quality of these pictures. The second thing that I admire about the book is the parallel arranging of the Spanish poems with their English translations. I know a bit of Spanish - enough to puzzle out the meanings of some of the poems and then check myself by reading the English words. The translations are not always completely parallel - sometimes, the phrasing is inverted, in order to avoid awkward constructions in English, but I appreciate the effort involved in making the wordings comparable.
But, the strength of the book is really in the respect shown towards the work, the workers, and their families. It is an honor to read this book.
Recommended especially for schools that have students with Mexican ancestry or significant numbers of Spanish-speaking students. But really, just about any children could benefit from seeing this amount of respect shown to farm workers.
April 21, 2009
SUMMARY
Here is a collection of poems—one for every letter of the Spanish alphabet—that represent the heart and soul of the sun-drenched central Mexican countryside. We explore, both through poems represented in Spanish and English, and in the illustrations in the style of Diego Rivera, the orchards, fields, meadows, homes, and families of the farm workers, as well as César Chávez. The poetry is clean and colorful, the paintings are warm and full of wonder, from A “(Árboles) Z (Zanahoria).
EVALUATION
This book strays away from the A-is-for-agua predictability of most ABC books that fuse Spanish and English. This book is exceptional, in three ways: 1. The poetry is simple and written in a contemporary idiom with rich, flavorful language. 2. The illustrations are authentic and painted in a modern style similar to Diego Rivera, which is important here because of the authenticity that it lends to the cultural flavor of laborers, given the political and social implications. 3. The book does not provide oversimplification, which makes it authentic for the young and old to enjoy. I adored this as soon as I picked it up, and I will continue to share it with my nephew as I teach him conversational Spanish throughout his young life. I think that this book is a wonderful gift, and I am tempted to purchase an extra one just to frame some of the art work. I am a new fan of Simón Silva, for sure. This is one to treasure, for its Spanish-English, for its illustrations, for its bold, sunbleached beauty. ¡Fantastico!
Here is a collection of poems—one for every letter of the Spanish alphabet—that represent the heart and soul of the sun-drenched central Mexican countryside. We explore, both through poems represented in Spanish and English, and in the illustrations in the style of Diego Rivera, the orchards, fields, meadows, homes, and families of the farm workers, as well as César Chávez. The poetry is clean and colorful, the paintings are warm and full of wonder, from A “(Árboles) Z (Zanahoria).
EVALUATION
This book strays away from the A-is-for-agua predictability of most ABC books that fuse Spanish and English. This book is exceptional, in three ways: 1. The poetry is simple and written in a contemporary idiom with rich, flavorful language. 2. The illustrations are authentic and painted in a modern style similar to Diego Rivera, which is important here because of the authenticity that it lends to the cultural flavor of laborers, given the political and social implications. 3. The book does not provide oversimplification, which makes it authentic for the young and old to enjoy. I adored this as soon as I picked it up, and I will continue to share it with my nephew as I teach him conversational Spanish throughout his young life. I think that this book is a wonderful gift, and I am tempted to purchase an extra one just to frame some of the art work. I am a new fan of Simón Silva, for sure. This is one to treasure, for its Spanish-English, for its illustrations, for its bold, sunbleached beauty. ¡Fantastico!
May 5, 2015
Things I really liked about this book:
-the illustrations are amazing! I love the beautiful golden cast from the setting sun that pulls all the pictures together.
-the way the alphabet is presented. All of the words for each letter are the Spanish words, with English translations (as opposed to the other way around). For example: D is for duranznos, rather than P is for peaches.
Things I didn't like:
-I don't like it when bilingual books are just side by side comparisons of the language. I'd much rather read a book where the two languages intertwine to tell the story - forcing you to read both languages. As it is now, I can just ignore the Spanish words and not learn any of the new language.
-The verses for each of the letters were a tad boring and I found myself looking at the book more for the illustrations than trying to read the actual text.
-the illustrations are amazing! I love the beautiful golden cast from the setting sun that pulls all the pictures together.
-the way the alphabet is presented. All of the words for each letter are the Spanish words, with English translations (as opposed to the other way around). For example: D is for duranznos, rather than P is for peaches.
Things I didn't like:
-I don't like it when bilingual books are just side by side comparisons of the language. I'd much rather read a book where the two languages intertwine to tell the story - forcing you to read both languages. As it is now, I can just ignore the Spanish words and not learn any of the new language.
-The verses for each of the letters were a tad boring and I found myself looking at the book more for the illustrations than trying to read the actual text.
June 29, 2015
Lovely poems for each letter of the Spanish alphabet...translated, side by side from Spanish to English. Gorgeous illustrations really add to the beauty and depth of this book.
Favorite poems:
Cesar Chavez
Your steps no longer cross the dusty fields
where your strong voice once shone
yet your example
and your words
sprout anew in the field rows
as seedlings of quiet hope.
Honor
Honor is the work
we do in the fields.
Honor is a family
who loves and cares for one another.
Honor is being true to myself
as I wake up each morning.
Stars or Flowers?
Are the stars shining flowers
that brighten the night sky?
Are the flowers drowsy stars
that lie sleeping in the fields?
Well worth reading!
Favorite poems:
Cesar Chavez
Your steps no longer cross the dusty fields
where your strong voice once shone
yet your example
and your words
sprout anew in the field rows
as seedlings of quiet hope.
Honor
Honor is the work
we do in the fields.
Honor is a family
who loves and cares for one another.
Honor is being true to myself
as I wake up each morning.
Stars or Flowers?
Are the stars shining flowers
that brighten the night sky?
Are the flowers drowsy stars
that lie sleeping in the fields?
Well worth reading!
April 7, 2011
Every teacher should have an alphabet bookshelf! In this alphabet book, each letter is matched with a Spanish word (for example, "Arboles" for "A") and accompanied by a poem in both Spanish and English that describes how the plant, fruit, vegetable, person, or feeling had a place on the farm. This book represents the Spanish culture and i also love the poetry.
December 31, 2015
This book was featured as one of the selections for the May 2015 Farmers and Farming-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
March 25, 2008
Deeply grounded in the cultural products, practices, and perspectives of Mexico. Beautiful illustrations, short poems on each page make it an excellent option for reviewing vocabulary.
Read
March 9, 2010The art work and bilingualism makes this book visually pleasing and mutually educational.
March 7, 2011
This book is very colorful and interesting! The book contains words and short explanations about working in the fields. It is fun and engaging to read to students because they learn the alphabet.
Read
April 10, 2011Gathering the Sun is a great book to have because it is an alphabet book in spanish and english. It is great for ELL's.
December 1, 2017
With brilliant illustrations and fantastically phrased descriptions of the elements typically of southern Californian culture, this alphabet book is not only enjoyable for the eyes and entertaining to read, it also contains lots of possibly new information about large farms, the life of migrant farm workers, and many things having to do with Latino-American culture and language. Not to mention, the illustrations are breathtaking and contain brilliant colors and details which reflect the story on the page exceptionally well.
November 14, 2017
This book is a bilingual book, following the Spanish alphabet. Each page begins a new letter of the Spanish alphabet, all with something having to do with things in nature. The book has both English and Spanish poems, side by side. The illustrations are beautiful and give context clues to what is being described, either for emerging readers or for those working on learning either English or Spanish.
January 3, 2019
Beautiful
September 15, 2017
Braille Institute continues to add to its growing number of bilingual (Spanish-English) Braille books for children as it included this poetry collection in its Spring/Summer 2017 Special Collection catalogue of books available free of charge to blind children throughout the United States.
The book's translator, Rosa Zubizarreta, notes: "I feel very fortunate ... for in speaking another language we are able to understand a different way of looking at the world."
The Braille edition rings with the truth of this statement. Including English and Spanish versions of each poem, it also includes raised drawings of many of the book's illustrations. These are simply portrayed and labeled with a single word, but their use of varied textures allows a blind reader to understand many of the nuances usually thought of in more visual terms. The tactile replica of the prickly pear, for example, uses dots that are larger, sharper, and spaced farther apart than on all the other pictures in the book, making it immediately clear that this is a spiny fruit. The "Trees" image that accompanies the first poem might feel like just tree-shaped things on first exploration. However, a closer examination reveals that each tree is laden with fruit. I also enjoyed comparing the different shapes of various flowers and am sure many kids will find this fun, too. Touching real flowers and understanding how their petals are arranged is often difficult because the blossoms are small and fragile. Repeated touching makes them wilt, destroying their natural shape. But these pictures can be felt over and over until it's easy to grasp the differences between carnations and violets, or between beets and those wonderful prickly pears.
The map of Mexico and the southwestern United States will also appeal to readers with a budding interest in geography.
I enjoyed comparing the Spanish and English versions of each poem. I am a poor Spanish speaker and have forgotten more vocabulary and grammar than I remember. Still, I delighted in discovering that I knew some rather unusual words, and also took pleasure in learning many new ones.
Having the text on only one side of the page also makes the book easy to handle and allows readers to explore the tactile graphics without any distraction from dots on the reverse of the page.
This is a lovely book, highlighting the hard work of so many people that too often goes unnoticed and unappreciated by so many of us in the United States.
My favorite poem was the one about peaches ("Duraznos"). I have always enjoyed their velvet texture and sweet fragrance. They are truly "like a gentle caress in the palm of my hand."
And this Braille book, with pictures, provides that same sort of pleasure to my fingertips. Que bueno!
The book's translator, Rosa Zubizarreta, notes: "I feel very fortunate ... for in speaking another language we are able to understand a different way of looking at the world."
The Braille edition rings with the truth of this statement. Including English and Spanish versions of each poem, it also includes raised drawings of many of the book's illustrations. These are simply portrayed and labeled with a single word, but their use of varied textures allows a blind reader to understand many of the nuances usually thought of in more visual terms. The tactile replica of the prickly pear, for example, uses dots that are larger, sharper, and spaced farther apart than on all the other pictures in the book, making it immediately clear that this is a spiny fruit. The "Trees" image that accompanies the first poem might feel like just tree-shaped things on first exploration. However, a closer examination reveals that each tree is laden with fruit. I also enjoyed comparing the different shapes of various flowers and am sure many kids will find this fun, too. Touching real flowers and understanding how their petals are arranged is often difficult because the blossoms are small and fragile. Repeated touching makes them wilt, destroying their natural shape. But these pictures can be felt over and over until it's easy to grasp the differences between carnations and violets, or between beets and those wonderful prickly pears.
The map of Mexico and the southwestern United States will also appeal to readers with a budding interest in geography.
I enjoyed comparing the Spanish and English versions of each poem. I am a poor Spanish speaker and have forgotten more vocabulary and grammar than I remember. Still, I delighted in discovering that I knew some rather unusual words, and also took pleasure in learning many new ones.
Having the text on only one side of the page also makes the book easy to handle and allows readers to explore the tactile graphics without any distraction from dots on the reverse of the page.
This is a lovely book, highlighting the hard work of so many people that too often goes unnoticed and unappreciated by so many of us in the United States.
My favorite poem was the one about peaches ("Duraznos"). I have always enjoyed their velvet texture and sweet fragrance. They are truly "like a gentle caress in the palm of my hand."
And this Braille book, with pictures, provides that same sort of pleasure to my fingertips. Que bueno!
April 9, 2019
The book, Gathering the Sun, is an Spanish-English alphabet, poetry book for students in grade 3. This book tells the story of migrant workers and through and the alphabet. For each letter of the alphabet, the author chose a word to write a short poem about to tell the story of migrant workers.
This book is a WOW book to me because I love the way it tells the story of migrant workers through the use of poems and the alphabet. It is very creative storytelling and the layout helps students develop their knowledge of culture, poetry, and a second language. I also love the way the book can be used to develop a strong classroom community where everyone feels welcome! Finally, this book is also a WOW book because it is the second book I have read in Spanish towards my goal of reading more children’s literature in Spanish this year.
In my future classroom, I would use this book to teach students about the elements of poetry. Following the reading of this text, I would have students write their own alphabet poetry book about their culture in whatever language they choose! These poems will then be displayed in the hallways and read aloud at a poetry reading where families and friends are invited to hear their child’s poetry book.
Similarly to the book, the Day It Snowed Tortillas, I would also use this book to develop a relationship with a class in another country. During our weekly Skype calls, students will read this book together with a partner in the other classroom, discuss the book, and share the poems that they wrote with one another. Through this activity, students will be given an opportunity to learn about other cultures and enrich their knowledge of another language.
This book is a WOW book to me because I love the way it tells the story of migrant workers through the use of poems and the alphabet. It is very creative storytelling and the layout helps students develop their knowledge of culture, poetry, and a second language. I also love the way the book can be used to develop a strong classroom community where everyone feels welcome! Finally, this book is also a WOW book because it is the second book I have read in Spanish towards my goal of reading more children’s literature in Spanish this year.
In my future classroom, I would use this book to teach students about the elements of poetry. Following the reading of this text, I would have students write their own alphabet poetry book about their culture in whatever language they choose! These poems will then be displayed in the hallways and read aloud at a poetry reading where families and friends are invited to hear their child’s poetry book.
Similarly to the book, the Day It Snowed Tortillas, I would also use this book to develop a relationship with a class in another country. During our weekly Skype calls, students will read this book together with a partner in the other classroom, discuss the book, and share the poems that they wrote with one another. Through this activity, students will be given an opportunity to learn about other cultures and enrich their knowledge of another language.
Read
August 30, 2016Alma Flor Ada presents 26 poems focused on the culture of Mexican American farmworkers in the multi-award winning Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English. The poetry covers everything from Love and Pride, to Prickly Pear and Peaches, while presenting glimpses into this community.
This book is lovely, while delivering on the promise of using the alphabet. This is a family oriented approach to a topic that is politicized in some titles, which fills an unmet need in the topic.
Simon Silva's illustrations are bright, strong, and positive. He called upon his own experiences growing up in a farmworker family and manages to bring the sun drenched west coast to mind wile remaining somewhat minimal.
As each letter is introduced, we are given a poem based around a Spanish word starting with that letter. The translations, provided by Rosa Zubizarreta, are lovely. The way the book is set up, with the Spanish and English side by side, creates a useful text for those learning either language. The book written to be enjoyed by elementary age students would also work for higher grade students studying English as a Second Language or English speakers learning Spanish.
Not only is it an excellent resource for early Spanish / English as a Second Language courses, it would be a nice addition to classes studying poetry. While there are a number of picture books available in bi-lingual editions, Gathering the Sun provides poetry and a glimpse of particular culture.
This is an essential purchase for any public library system serving Spanish speakers and would be a good purchase for any school teaching Spanish.
This book is lovely, while delivering on the promise of using the alphabet. This is a family oriented approach to a topic that is politicized in some titles, which fills an unmet need in the topic.
Simon Silva's illustrations are bright, strong, and positive. He called upon his own experiences growing up in a farmworker family and manages to bring the sun drenched west coast to mind wile remaining somewhat minimal.
As each letter is introduced, we are given a poem based around a Spanish word starting with that letter. The translations, provided by Rosa Zubizarreta, are lovely. The way the book is set up, with the Spanish and English side by side, creates a useful text for those learning either language. The book written to be enjoyed by elementary age students would also work for higher grade students studying English as a Second Language or English speakers learning Spanish.
Not only is it an excellent resource for early Spanish / English as a Second Language courses, it would be a nice addition to classes studying poetry. While there are a number of picture books available in bi-lingual editions, Gathering the Sun provides poetry and a glimpse of particular culture.
This is an essential purchase for any public library system serving Spanish speakers and would be a good purchase for any school teaching Spanish.
November 15, 2012
1. This book is an alphabet book.
2. This book is about the Spanish and English alphabet and it has poems for each of the different letters and relates it to nature and different fruits and vegetables.
3. (a) I think this is a very accurate alphabet book. It helps the reader connect the different letters of the alphabet with different objects.
(b) I think this is a very appropriate alphabet book. It has beautiful illustrations that help connect the reader with the alphabet. I also think it is very appropriate to include the Spanish alphabet because a lot of teachers have students in their classrooms who might not speak English as their first language and this book might help them make connections to the alphabet by having familiar letters and words that can understand.
(c) I really I liked how this book fruits and vegetables to help connect the reader to the alphabet. I think that by having fruits and vegetables that students can make stronger connections to the alphabet. For example, the word beet could help the student connect to the letter B.
4.I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was a really unique book and I loved that it brought together different cultures. I would really like to use this book in my future classrooms because I loved how it used poems throughout it and I really loved the pictures in the book. I love how this book connects food to the alphabet; I think children would find this fun! I would love to see this book in my future classroom.
2. This book is about the Spanish and English alphabet and it has poems for each of the different letters and relates it to nature and different fruits and vegetables.
3. (a) I think this is a very accurate alphabet book. It helps the reader connect the different letters of the alphabet with different objects.
(b) I think this is a very appropriate alphabet book. It has beautiful illustrations that help connect the reader with the alphabet. I also think it is very appropriate to include the Spanish alphabet because a lot of teachers have students in their classrooms who might not speak English as their first language and this book might help them make connections to the alphabet by having familiar letters and words that can understand.
(c) I really I liked how this book fruits and vegetables to help connect the reader to the alphabet. I think that by having fruits and vegetables that students can make stronger connections to the alphabet. For example, the word beet could help the student connect to the letter B.
4.I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was a really unique book and I loved that it brought together different cultures. I would really like to use this book in my future classrooms because I loved how it used poems throughout it and I really loved the pictures in the book. I love how this book connects food to the alphabet; I think children would find this fun! I would love to see this book in my future classroom.
October 15, 2012
Citation: Gathering the sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English, by Alma Flor Ada. (Harper Collins, 1997). 38 p. Alphabet.
Genre: Picture Book - Alphabet
Summary: A wonderful alphabet book that uses Spanish definitions with English translations. It also familiarizes students with what it is like to grow up on a farm. It is a great book for Spanish speaking students as well as English speaking students.
A. There were two outstanding aspects of this book. First the Spanish and English translations for students to learn and the illustrations were outstanding. They were realistic and aided readers in understanding some of the Spanish language used throughout the book.
B. Ada turns an otherwise boring topic into a truly versatile and exciting way to learn the alphabet. On each page is the Spanish letter and word that is being defined. Next to it is the English translation.
C. For example, on pages 4 and 5 we see farmers harvesting beets. The Spanish word is translated into English and gives students an understanding that in the Spanish language sometimes there are more than one word to describe something.
Curriculum Connection: I think this would be a good read aloud. It would be a teachable moment in helping English speaking students begin to understand Spanish and may help English Language Learners who are learning the English language.
Genre: Picture Book - Alphabet
Summary: A wonderful alphabet book that uses Spanish definitions with English translations. It also familiarizes students with what it is like to grow up on a farm. It is a great book for Spanish speaking students as well as English speaking students.
A. There were two outstanding aspects of this book. First the Spanish and English translations for students to learn and the illustrations were outstanding. They were realistic and aided readers in understanding some of the Spanish language used throughout the book.
B. Ada turns an otherwise boring topic into a truly versatile and exciting way to learn the alphabet. On each page is the Spanish letter and word that is being defined. Next to it is the English translation.
C. For example, on pages 4 and 5 we see farmers harvesting beets. The Spanish word is translated into English and gives students an understanding that in the Spanish language sometimes there are more than one word to describe something.
Curriculum Connection: I think this would be a good read aloud. It would be a teachable moment in helping English speaking students begin to understand Spanish and may help English Language Learners who are learning the English language.
June 16, 2014
Gathering the Sun successfully describes the lives of field workers with English and Spanish versions of poems. The content is mature for my preschoolers, but the languages side by side are quite effective for introducing the concept of how we are all the same and how we can respect the differences. Many alphabet books are available for early learners. This one presents painting and poem art work that provides a contrasting family view. Rather than focus on the plight of the families, I would use the writings and pictures to begin conversations on how my own students' families eat and work and rest together. How might they paint their view? The book alows for the comparison of words. 'Nina' is 'girl,' 'Uno' is 'one,' and 'violetas' is 'violets.' The illustrations are beautifully poetic. The days and nights are illuminated in orange, blue, red, and purple with yellow highlighting the rising and setting of the sun. I love that with this book I can emphasize that the author and illustrator are both Hispanic and then develop an interest and respect for other lifestyles and languages.
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