Thursday, November 1, 2012

Amazon Woman



 


 
Title: Dona Flor: A tall tale about a giant woman with a great big heart
Author: Pat Mora
Illustrator: Raul Colon
Publishing company: Random House
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 40
Genre: Fantasy/ Modern Folktale

 
My reason for choosing this book was for culture week at my job. The Hispanic kids in my classroom enjoyed me reading the book and trying to say the words like they do. The story had English and Spanish words mixed in the text. The story is about Dona Flor, whose mother sung to her every day, and she grew tall as trees. When Flor stop growing, she built her a house beside her neighbors and friends, who always came by to visit and make giant tortillas.  One day no one came, because of the Rrrr-oarr that was very frightening, and it kept everyone inside their homes. Flor set out to find out who was making the noise, and she searches every day when she hears the roar. Finally she finds out what it is, a puma roaring into a hollow log. After discovering who it is, she snuggles up on a cloud and go to sleep with her new friend on her big toe asleep.

The illustrations are done in warm watercolor of browns, blues, greens with soft lines and textures. Each illustration is done in a scratch board style with frames around each one. The lines and textures in the book show calmness and a little hint of being scared. The illustrator used surrealistic and abstract features, too.

This book is recommended for third through sixth grade. This would be a great read aloud story and showing character education demonstrating what it means to have a giving heart. English language learners would enjoy this book because it incorporates familiar words.
This story has several awards Para Belpre award for narrative honor, Golden Kit, and ALSC Notable children's book all in 2006.

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