Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins)

Customer Reviews:

Won Me Over.......2007-08-18

I love Elisa Kleven, the illustrator, but thought it was a silly story. I finally got a copy, read it to my children and preschool students, and they love it! I love the pictures and letting them search for "perros" and "gatos", "pájaros" and "globos". The children learn Spanish as they look!

A "must have" for your library!.......2007-05-14

I first purchased this book for my classroom library. My kindergartners loved the illustrations and the use of Spanish mixed in with English. I used this book as a starting point for many creative writing assignments. I have given this book as gifts to many people and most recently, my two-year old gave this book to her "Abuela" for Mother's Day!

Beautiful, colorful detail.......2005-03-21

I love reading this to my 3-year old daughter. The pictures are so colorful and full of detail.

The language and tone is so fine. The author slips in and out of the two languages, Spanish and English so easily. It is the best way to read a story. It is fantastic for my daughter's imagination. She is flying just like Rosalba, just like we all did when we were young.

We also love her other book "Isla".

I want to fly like an eagle, to the sea.......2004-11-01

It's hard to resist the charms of a picture book filled to brimming with tiny fabulous details in a vast cityscape. It's probably one of the reasons I love books like, "Who Needs Donuts?" by Mark Stamaty or James Warhola's, "Uncle Andy's" so much. Usually books of this nature are very precise. They hide delicate little intricacies on each and every page, just waiting for the viewer to find them. Yet I've never read a picture book that contains such remarkably colorful embellishments as I have in Arthur Dorros' 1991 treasure, "Abuela". Taking a standard fantasy of wishing to fly, author Dorros and illustrator Elisa Kleven have given us a remarkable journey above a world too complex to capture in a single book. To read this book is to experience something beautiful.

Rosalba is quite close to her Grandmother or "Abuela" as she is called in Spanish. The two often go on enjoyable trips around and about town, just for the heck of it. On this particular day, the woman and the girl go to the park (Central Park, by the look of it) to feed the birds. It's there that Rosalba begins to speculate a little. What if the birds picked her up and started flying away with her? What if her Abuela simply leapt into the sky and flew too? The birds gone, the two could soar above factories, trains, people, and workers. What follows is a story in which Rosalba describes the path the two could take while skimming across the sky. They wave to the people and visit the Statue of Liberty. They race the sailboats, hitch a ride with an airplane, and hug on a cloud. In the end, the two are back in the park and they decide to go on another adventure in a boat. "Vamos" Abuela says, and she takes her granddaughter's hand.

There are quite a few remarkable Spanish/English picture books out there in the world today. One of the best, without question, is L.M. Gonzalez's, "The Bossy Gallito". But "Abuela" is just as good in many ways. There's a helpful dictionary of Spanish to English terms for those words and phrases in the text that kids (or adults) didn't quite understand. The story itself is well told, though its definitely left unclear whether or not the fantastic events that take place in this book are true or false. Aside from that, it's a great text, remenicient of Faith Ringgold's other kids-flying-above-New-York picture book, "Tar Beach". A pairing of the two during a storytime would not be out of place.

When I write reviews of picture books, this paragraph tends to be the space where I say something along the lines of "Of course the book itself would be nothing without the pictures". "Abuela" is no different and though it may seem a little repetitive, I say it again. The illustrations in this book are remarkable. What caught me off guard was the level of detail and the multitude of colors and fabrics lining the corners and seams of every page. This is perhaps the most subtle picture book I have ever seen in terms of how it uses mixed media. While some books throw fabrics and other elements into their pictures in a distinctly slap-dash fashion, "Abuela" subtley works them into the context of the illustrations without distracting you or drawing your eye away from the action. Whether it's Abuela's purple dotted purse or the fabric crested tops of buildings, the mixed-media here is perfectly melded to the story. Then there are the thousands of details lining each and every page. Plus the fact that everything is bright, colorful, and lively without ever straying into gaudy territory. Finally, illustrator Elisa Kleven has imbued her main character with a great deal of liveliness. Rosalba and her Abuela dip and dive and swoop with perfect grace and poise. If humans could fly, this is the best possible way they could look in sky.

It is not possible to be disappointed with "Abuela". The book is a fun fancy-free encapsulation of the ultimate flight of fancy. Kids that read this tale will be envious of Rosalba and her beloved grandmother. Adults will coo at the pretty pictures and helpful text. A beautiful story unencumbered by weight or gravity. Lovely.

Gorgeous!.......2004-08-04

This is a wonderful book for kids and adults, alike. It's a very loving and imaginative story paired with breath-taking illustrations. They colors are gorgeous and there are endless tiny details to point out in the pictures.

I recommend this book very highly!

Average customer rating:

good
Beautiful Story!
AWESOME BOOK
Woven with Love
excellent intergenerational sensitivity

Abuela's Weave
Omar S. Castaneda
Manufacturer: Lee & Low Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1880000008

Customer Reviews:

good.......2007-10-10

The book is great, but it was delivered to me and completely bent. Could have been prevented had a piece of cardboard been slipped in with the book.

Beautiful Story!.......2006-06-17

This is one of our children's favorite stories. Especially since 5 of our children are adopted from Guatemala. It is a beautiful story of love and family. The illustrations are lovely as well. My Guatemalan born children love to have me read this story to them as well as my birth children.
I highly recommend them book to all families hoping to share a little bit of guatemala with their children.

AWESOME BOOK.......2004-03-19

Abuela's Weave is a very good, accurate book about how the Maya people actually live. I've travelled often to Guatemala and visited many villages. The pictures in Abuela's Weave depict life as it really is in the villages... the Mayan dress, the houses, work, animals. Very good. I read this book often to my 4 year old granddaughter and use the opportunity to educate her on Guatemalan culture and to teach her some Spanish. My cousin, Dominga Sic Ruiz, was born in Guatemala and adopted in the USA. We sell weavings made by the women of a village in Guatemala. The weavings go great with the book...hand in hand...to buy a weaving write to domingasic@hotmail.com Thanks. Mary P.

Woven with Love.......2002-06-18

A beautifully illustrated book written by Omar S. Castaneda who was born in Guatemala and teaches writing at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. The artist, Enrique O. Sanchez was born in the Dominican Republic and has worked as a graphic artist for Sesame Street. Together they create magic.

Esperanza is a girl who is learning to weave with her grandmother, Abuela. On the day of the Fiesta de Pueblos in Guate, they decide to reveal their work to the world.

"Esperanza, however, wore her favorite huipil: it was a white blouse with red, blue and green threads in the rectangular collar. Under that, the colors bled into silver and blue, and hidden within the intricate designs of the blouse were tiny quetzals flying freely in the threads the way they once flew in the great forests of Guatemala."

They have to take a bus and then finally they arrive in the city. Once Esperanza starts to hang up her work, people start to look at the elaborate weavings and some even take pictures. She sells all the items and her grandmother is very proud of her.

A loving story that follows in the tradition of Guatemala's legendary artisans.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

excellent intergenerational sensitivity.......1998-10-22

Buy it! For a delightful experience of a grandmother and granddaughter and how they grow closer through sharing of talent and love, you should read this one.

Searching for Life: The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo and the Disappeared Children of Argentina

Average customer rating:

Compelling and Inspiring
INTENSE and captivating!A must read...unable to put it down
amazing!!.....you won't want to put it down

Searching for Life: The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo and the Disappeared Children of Argentina
Rita Arditti
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0520215702

Book Description

FROM THE BOOK:"I want to touch you and kiss you."You are my mother's sister and only one year older; you must have something of my mother in you."--A found child after being returned to her family
Searching for Life traces the courageous plight of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group of women who challenged the ruthless dictatorship that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. Acting as both detectives and human rights advocates in an effort to find and recover their grandchildren, the Grandmothers identified fifty-seven of an estimated 500 children who had been kidnapped or born in detention centers. The Grandmothers' work also led to the creation of the National Genetic Data Bank, the only bank of its kind in the world, and to Article 8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the "right to identity," that is now incorporated in the new adoption legislation in Argentina. Rita Arditti has conducted extensive interviews with twenty Grandmothers and twenty-five others connected with their work; her book is a testament to the courage, persistence, and strength of these "traditional" older women.
The importance of the Grandmothers' work has effectively transcended the Argentine situation. Their tenacious pursuit of justice defies the culture of impunity and the historical amnesia that pervades Argentina and much of the rest of the world today. In addition to reconciling the "living disappeared" with their families of origin, these Grandmothers restored a chapter of history that, too, had been abducted and concealed from its rightful heirs.

Customer Reviews:

Compelling and Inspiring.......2003-05-03

You'd have to expect that mothers of children who were willing to be activists during an opressive military dictatorship would be strong women themselves and they were. These courageous women were willing to risk their lives to bring the world's attention to the junta's human rights abuses and to find their lost grandchildren. They even stood up to the Catholic church which sat by while these abuses occured. I particularly enjoyed how Arditti brought out the importance of identity and connecting with your roots. This explained the urgency in reuniting these stolen children with their rightful families.

INTENSE and captivating!A must read...unable to put it down.......1999-04-12

Very well researched, this book is a must for anyone concerned about human rights. It raised my level of social consciousness 5 notches. It was heart wrenching to hear how much the victims who disappeared suffered and the mental anguish of the defient grandmothers who still hold their viligent marches to pressure the Argentine government for answers to the disappearences. Ms. Arditti has really opened my eyes and the facts she presents about how the Catholic Church reacted to the grandmother's is absolutely astounding! Her style in telling this horrible tragedy by hearing from the grandmother's in their own words is very effective.

amazing!!.....you won't want to put it down.......1999-04-12

The history in this book is amazing. I can't believe that this was only 22 years ago. Very well written....you feel the grandmothers pain. Throughout, you have actual quotations from both the grandmothers and the survivors of this terrible time in Argentinas history.

Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas (Tales Our Abuelitas Told): Cuentos populares Hispánicos

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Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas (Tales Our Abuelitas Told): Cuentos populares Hispánicos
Alma Flor Ada , and F. Isabel Campoy
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

ASIN: 1416919058

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Family Favorite

Abuela (Spanish Edition)
Arthur Dorros
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140562265

Customer Reviews:

Family Favorite.......2007-04-11

We have had this book for a few years now and it is one of our favorites. The writing is simple and full of Spanish words that kids can easily relate to on an everyday level. The illustrations are bright, creative and full of wonder. Rosalba and her Abuela,(grandma), go flying through air over New York City seeing the sights from a birds eye view. As they go along, they speak a little Spanish and describe what they are seeing. It is really a wonderful way to introduce a few Spanish words and see some colorful illustrations too. Enjoy!

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Diario de Una Abuela de Verano
Rosa Regas
Manufacturer: Planeta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Mi Abuela Fumaba Puros/My Grandma Smoked Cigars

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Mi Abuela Fumaba Puros/My Grandma Smoked Cigars
Sabine R. Ulibarri
Manufacturer: TQS Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0884121054

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Mi Abuela Y Yo/My Grandmother and Me
Achim Boger
Manufacturer: Espasa-Calpe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Five Stars for Abuela! (Dora the Explorer)

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Five Stars for Abuela! (Dora the Explorer)
Wendy Wax , and A&J Studios
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416913017

Book Description

Dora is on her way to Abuela's house and along the way she finds some new Gooey Stars! Count along with Dora as she catches the special stars one by one. This book includes five squishy, liquid-filled stars to touch and count!

Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre / Fables from An Extraterrestrial Grandmother

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un clasico de la ciencia ficcion mundial...
Una joya de la ciencia ficción hispanoamericana

Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre / Fables from An Extraterrestrial Grandmother
Daína Chaviano
Manufacturer: Grupo Oceano
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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Temblor

ASIN: 9706516611

Customer Reviews:

un clasico de la ciencia ficcion mundial..........2007-02-21

Desde la primera vez que lo lei, hace casi 20 años, me atrapo su lectura por la genialidad de entrelazar tres historias paralelas que se desarrollan en tres mundos tan diferentes y a la vez con tantas cosas en comun con el nuestro. La magia, la ciencia, la poesia, el humanismo y la fantasia son parte del regalo que nos brinda este magnifico libro, una verdadera joya de la ciencia ficcion hispanoamericana y... por que no?, mundial. Una lectura que te llena de placeres, de evocaciones, nostalgia, de sueños de nuestra niñez, de nuestra juventud. Aun hoy lo sigo leyendo y no me canso de hacerlo. Siempre lo llevo en mi equipaje de viaje.

Una joya de la ciencia ficción hispanoamericana.......2006-01-23

Esta es una de las mejores novelas de ciencia ficcion que he leido nunca... y estoy incluyendo en mi lista a los grandes autores del genero en ingles. La trama ocurre simultaneamente en tres mundos o universos paralelos (No se asusten, les juro que no voy a contar NADA que les pueda revelar o estropear la lectura. Quiero que lo disfruten como yo). En uno de esos mundos, vive una civilizacion de seres alados y con poderes mentales, casi ángeles, aunque en un estado tecnologico primitivo. Estas criaturas tienen un enemigo comun: una segunda raza que vive en ese mundo. Otro universo es un mundo feudal, controlado por una secta sacerdotal. En ese universo existen dos talismanes mágicos, cuyo poder ha sido dividido: uno de los talismanes esta en poder de los sacerdotes; el otro esta en manos de los silfos, unos seres misteriosos que viven en el fondo de un valle donde nadie se atreve a penetrar. La acción del tercer universo ocurre en la Tierra, específicamente en La Habana, donde una estudiante hace experimentos parasicológicos secretos con una amiga. Poco a poco, las tramas de los tres universos comienzan a rozarse... Y no les cuento mas. El comienzo del libro, el primer capítulo, puede resultar algo difícil porque está escrito con un lenguaje sumamente poético, pero es un capítulo corto, con una carga de misterio y belleza que suple el desconcierto inicial y sirve de introducción al mundo de los seres alados. Otra cosa interesante es que el vocabulario y la narración de cada uno de esos tres universos tiene un estilo de escritura diferente, de acuerdo con cada mundo. El libro está lleno de intrigas y de giros inesperados de la trama que lo dejan a uno sin aliento. Comienza a un ritmo normal, como quien va caminando despacio, y con el paso de los capítulos la accion se va haciendo cada vez más acelerada hasta que, en el final, se trata de una carrera. Después de leerlo dos veces, me atrevo a asegurar que este libro es un verdadero clásico del género en Hispanoamérica.

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