Laughing Tomatoes/Jitomates Risuenos

Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems / Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primavera is part of a four book set of poetry related to the seasons by Francisco X. Alarcón. Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez, readers will notice the same style of art as My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito. The images contain both realistic and imaginative aspects. For example, the first two page spread accompanying two poems "Dew" and "Roots" has a woman sleeping, and her fingers are roots leading into the ground. The sun, hills, and clouds also have smiles. The illustrations are sure to draw the attention of readers.

Many of the poems are quick -- some just a few lines long with one or two word verses, related to different aspects of spring. However, other poems span the length of the page, such as "My Grandma's Songs". The joy of the poems transcends into the illustrations, such as the title poem "Laughing Tomatoes" accompanied by an image of kids and dogs with tomato smiles.

The poems and illustrations also incorporate cultural references, such as the importance of family, food, and traditions. One poem titled "Chile", states, "sometimes / a bite is all it takes / for a supernova / to explode" (n.p.). A simple poem that can conjure up many memories for those who have bitten into a chile picante! There is also a mention of a historical figure, César Chávez, along with the experience of working in strawberry fields.

The book offers a fun exploration of poetry that students would be able to explore in order to consider possibilities for their own poems.

*Pura Belpré Award Honor Book in 1998

My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito

Similar to In My Family/En mi familia, My Very Own Room/My propio cuartito by Amada Irma Pérez is a bilingual Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Award book. In the first person narrative, the author retells experiences from her life when she was almost nine years old.

Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez, the book opens with a two page spread of six kids sleeping in two beds. Amada is getting kicked in the face by her baby brother and reflecting on how she is getting too old to have to share a room with her five younger brothers. With mixed emotions and humor Amada recognizes family dynamics while living in close quarters. She is bound and determined to find a creative solution. The vibrant pictures capture the emotions in the book well.

Children who have wished that they could have their own room will be able to relate to Amada's experiences. Despite Amada wanting to have some space from her brothers the central role of family is still prevalent throughout the book, providing avenues to consider families and communities.

In the author's note, Amada states, "My parents, like many of the parents of the children I now teach (and learn from), wanted to provide us with more space, but could not. However, they taught us strong values, supported our education, and insisted that we become bilingual. Their children to be successful." The picture book portrays these family values.

This book can inspire students to share the stories of their own families and all of the emotions involved. This would also be a good book to incorporate around Thanksgiving to talk about dreams, as well as being thankful for what kids have. Kids from a range of grades could read and enjoy this book at different levels.