Children’s Lit. Reading Project
An author study of Pat Mora
The Desert is My Mother by Pat Mora
This book is written in the form of a narrative poem by the girl pictured on the cover. It is in both English and Spanish. It the story of the relationship between the girl and the desert. The desert provides all that the girl needs or wants. This book has amazing pictures and has a dream like quality to it.
2nd grade Use: I would use this book to in my class to talk about poetry. To ask my class of 2nd graders why do you think this girl talk about the desert like this? And to even write a similar poem of our own.
Pablo’s Tree by Pat Mora
This is the story of a little boy name Pablo who was adopted. When he was adopted his grandfather bought him a tree and every year he surprises Pablo by decorating it in different ways. Because of this Pablo loves his adoption story and get very excited about what is going to be on HIS tree each year. This a a beautiful story of a family that may look a little different than others but is full of love and care.
k-1 Use: I would have my students brainstorm ideas of what would be on the tree the next year and draw it. I would also have the class talk about traditions they do in their family each year.
A Library for Juana by Pat Mora
This is the story of Juana, a famous seventeenth century Mexican author. She learned to read at the age of 3 by following her sister to school. She had a hunger for knowledge and a love for books. She later became a lady in waiting in a palace. She was highly admired for her knowledge and ability with words. She eventually became a nun and continued her studies and even published her own book.
This book was interesting and I didn't even know it was a true story until the last page.
I would recommend it.
2nd grade Use: I would use this book in the classroom by having students research and see what is true about Juana from the story and the facts they can find online. I would also have them write their own poems and riddles like she did.
Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora
This is the story of a boy named Tomas who is a Mexican-American and lives with his family whom are all migrant workers. This means they have to travel from their home in Texas to Iowa for work. Tomas loves hearing stories from his grandfather and he tell him to go to the library to find more. Hesitantly Tomas goes and at the library he find a very kind librarian who always has him drink some cold water before he dives into reading. When it is time for him to move back to Texas she gives him his own book to keep. I thought this book was very sweet and had beautiful pictures, I loved it.
2nd grade Use: I would use this story in my class to ask kids why they like reading and who has helped them like the librarian did? We could then write thank you letters to those people and talk about unnoticed heroes in our lives!
The Rainbow Tulip by Pat Mora
This book is the story of a girl named Stella who is a Mexican American.She is torn between her two worlds where at home she speaks Spanish and at school she speaks English. She is finding her self even at a young age and struggles with what people think of her. Where the title come into play, is for the May day parade, Stella is assigned to be a tulip and must have a costume. Stella loves the colors of the rainbow and wants her costume to be all the colors. Her loving quiet mother helps her to achieve this dream and gives her confidence. This is a beautiful story of a girl trying to live in two worlds and the struggles she faces. I loved it!
k-2 Use: I would use this book as a classroom management tool to talk about the different worlds we all live in and how we can support each other as a class.