Read Alouds



How Do You Raise a Raisin?

Written by: Pam Munoz Ryan

Illustrated by: Craig Brown

Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. 2002

Summary:

        In this book, one learns how raisins are grown and their history. The book starts with the author posing questions about raisins. How do you raise a raisin? How do they sprout and grow? What is so nice about the book is that it answers all the questions it poses in smaller text on the same part of the page. One learns that raisins grow best in areas with nice dirt, many days of hot weather, a dry climate, and plenty of water. Also in the book one learns that about 90% of the raisins sold in the United States come from the area around Fresno, California

Recommendation for Parents:

        I believe the book, “How Do You Raise a Raisin” is a terrific read aloud because it is enjoyable and can be for students of all ages. The Author Pam Munoz Ryan is a great author and inspires every reader of her books one way or another. I think that every student is able to find a connection to the story. This book can really relate to students who have parents who are migrant workers and may have worked in fields being part of the process of raising a raisin. This book is rich in culture and goes in detail about the process a raisin goes through to become fully developed and ready to eat. 

In the book by Frank Serafini and Cyndi Giorgis, Reading Aloud and Beyond, the authors, " want students to make strong connections to the characters and events that take place in the literature we select" (p. 40). This book is perfect for that because it has connected me back to my past and culture as I had parents who worked in the fields picking grapes. Overall, I would recommend this book to all parents.

Recommendation for Other Teachers:  

       I will recommend all teachers to read this book to their students because of how rich in history the book is about how a raisin is grown. I think that this book shows how the process of raising a raisin is very difficult and very time consuming. The book goes back into time and explains how raisins were raised in the old time and as well as today. The book talks about how the Greeks and Romans valued raisins so much that they were given for prizes in sporting events. Overall, a lot can be learned by reading this book and the question, How Do You Raise a Raisin? is fully answered by the author Pam Munoz Ryan.

Personal Note:

      I really liked this book when I first read it to myself. It really connected me to my past and reminded me how my mother and father once worked in the fields of the Central Valley picking grapes being part of the process of raising a raisin. Reading this book not only reminded me of my past but also gave me some history about raisins and how valued they were to people in the older times. This book is very rich in history and can connect to students' background and culture.


readaloud


Isla

Written By: Arthur Dorros
 
Illustrated by: Elisa Kleven
 
Puffin Books, 1999

Summary:

            This book is very multicultural because some words are in Spanish and one learns about cultural traditions that Esmeralda has in her family. The book starts with grandma and granddaughter (Esmeralda) going off to a magical flying experience to the Isla where grandma (Abuela) used to live. The abuela shows Esmeralda the town where uncle (tio) Fernando, aunt (tia) Isabel, and the old house where she used to live. The grandma than flies with Esmeralda to many parts of the island (isla) and explore the grandma's many cultural traditions on the isla. They visit the town, her old home, the rain forest, busy old city, the market, and the beach front. In all these different places they visited the grandma explains a special tradition or moment she had when she was younger. Overall this book is very special and is a great multicultural book.

Recommendation for Parents:

            This book is a special adventure ride that tells us how cultural traditions are very important for children to have in their families. As one reads this book one becomes introduced to Spanish works like tio, tia, abuela, and abuelo. All these words describe different people in a family: the uncle, aunt, grandma and grandpa. The authors Serafini and Giorgis in the book, Reading Aloud and Beyond, say that "reading aloud and the community of readers we develop create a 'space' for discussions to occur, for relationships to become established, for diverse interpretations to be shared… "(p. 9). This a great book to start talking to a child about other cultures and traditions that other people may have. Overall, it’s a great book to read to your children.

Recommendation to Teachers:

            This book is a great book to talk about people’s traditions and culturally different aspects. I think as a teacher it is important to talk to students about how to respect other ethnic people and as well to learn about other people's traditions. This is a good book to start introducing topics about other cultures and how they can be very special. This is also a great book because it is multiclutural and has different words in the book that are in Spanish. Overall I would recommend this book to any teacher because of how rich it is with culture.

Personal Note:

            I really like this book and I love the different illustrations it had throughout the pages of the book. It reminded me about how I felt when I visited my father’s home town in Mexico. I think it is very special to be able to visit a place that you know your background and roots are from. This book illustrates how cultural traditional aspects are very important in families and how cultures are very beautiful. This book is a must read and should be part of everyone’s library.
Back to Main Page