Abuelos - Hardcover

Mora, Pat

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0888997167 ISBN 13: 9780888997166

Publisher: Groundwood Books, 2008

Synopsis

In this delightful story two young children, Ray and Amelia, discover an old New Mexican tradition -- 'los abuelos' -- for the first time.

Long ago, in the cold midwinter of Northern New Mexico, village men would go up into the mountains, disguise themselves as scary old men and then go down to the village to see who had been good and who had been bad. The villagers would gather around huge bonfires, or luminarias, where the abuelos -- wearing masks and covered with soot -- would tease the children and then have them sing or dance around the fire. Afterwards everyone would enjoy a party with traditional treats such as bizcochitos (anise cookies) and empanadas (turnovers with sweet fillings).

This midwinter masquerade, which contains elements of Spanish and indigenous Pueblo culture, as well as sharing features common to solstice celebrations in other parts of the world, died out in New Mexico for a time, but has been revived in recent years.

About this title

About the Author:

Pat Mora, a popular presenter across the country at conferences, campuses, libraries, and schools, speaks and offers workshops on literacy, creativity, leadership, the writing process, and serving diverse populations. "Sharing Bookjoy: Creative Literacy Leaders" and "ZING! Seven Creativity Practices for Educators and Students" are among her more popular themes.

The author of award-winning books of nonfiction and poetry for adults and of many children's books, Pat received honorary doctorates in letters from North Carolina State University and SUNY Buffalo and is an honorary member of the American Library Association. Among her other awards are the 2006 National Hispanic Cultural Center Literary Award, a Civitella Ranieri Fellowship, a Visiting Carruthers Chair at the University of New Mexico, a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship.

A former teacher, university administrator, and consultant, Pat is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños/El día de los libros, Children's Day/Book Day (Día), now housed at the American Library Association. The yearlong commitment to linking all children to books, languages, and cultures and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in national celebrations in April.

Pat was named one of the "Fifty Most Inspiring Authors in the World" by Poets & Writers magazine in February 2010.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2–4—Ray and Amelia have a typical sibling relationship—he is a slightly annoying older brother who enjoys scaring his sister. They have moved to New Mexico, where they now live with their extended family. Their father tells them the story of los abuelos—sooty, hairy mountain men who come down each winter to make sure that the children are well behaved. While the story frightens Amelia, her family reminds her that the reenactment of the abuelos' arrival includes a big party. At the end of the book, Amelia ends up rescuing her brother from one particularly scary abuelo who seems very familiar to both of them. Mora, as always, is a master storyteller. In her hands the framing story of Amelia's family and the retelling of the folktale blend seamlessly. This book is not bilingual, but there are many Spanish phrases throughout the family's conversations. Carling's pastel and colored-pencil illustrations are uneven; while the landscapes are beautiful and evoke the crispness of a snowy winter night, the people seem awkwardly posed and slightly unrealistic. However, this story will be welcomed in libraries across the Southwest. Abuelos will be fun to add to traditional winter stories.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ
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About this edition

• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0888997167
• ISBN 13: 9780888997166
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Carling Amelia Lau