This book written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Raul Colon received a Pura Belpre award Illustrator Medal and a Pura Belpre Author Honor Book award in 2006. This tall tale is about a giantess, Dona Flora who lives in a very small village in the American Southwest. Although not accepted at first because of her differences, Dona Flora soon becomes very popular with her community neighbors because she is always helping the children. Then one day the noise of a huge unknown animal terrifies the people of the village and Dona Flor sets out with her animal friends to discover who or what is making such a loud, scary noise. At the end of the book, Dona Flor realizes it is just a puma whose roar is echoing through the valley.This book is an authentic depiction of Latino/Mexican literature in a couple ways. First, Pat Mora skillfully weaves the Spanish language throughout the primarily English text seamlessly. The Spanish language is used in context and is coupled with English translations right within the same page so it makes for an easy-to-comprehend read although another language is used quite a bit. Also, Raul Colon's "intriguing combination of watercolor washes, etching, and colored and litho pencils" accurately depict a pueblo.
This book, which is geared toward young kids, grades Kindergarten-3rd grade, can be used in the classroom in various ways. Before reading, children can discuss what they think a tall tale is and which tall tales they might already know. During reading, the teacher can encourage the children to find what the Spanish words or sentences mean since the English translation is usually very close on the page. After reading, children could write their own tall tale using their knew knowledge of what a tall tale is and examples of some they may already know such as Johnny Appleseed or Davy Crockett.
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