MY ABUELITA- Tony Johnston

Johnston, Tony. 2009. MY ABUELITA. Illus. Morales, Yuyi. Florida: Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-0-15-216330-3.
Summary
MY ABUELITA is narrated by the young boy and he begins with my abuelita says she is “as old as the hills” and “as round as a calabaza, a pumpkin and I live with her. The day starts early as Abuelita, Frida Kahlo, the cat and the boy get up and stretch “limbering up for work.” There are hints to Abuelita work throughout the pages. Abuelita says “being round gives me a good round voice” and it is “just the voice for my work.” Abuelita sings in the shower “like a frog” and hums “like a great big bee” as she dries off and yodels while making huevos estrellados,starry eggs. There is love, fun and joy as Abuelita prepares for work. But what is her work? Abuelita “puts her on a flowery grown and bright red shoes and a scarf like a cloud that flows down to the ground,” and looks around for “what is missing?” Where is Abuelita going in her flowery dress with a carcacha, her jalopy, filled with “a king and queen as brown as beans,” a “magnificent plumed snake,” and “one feathered crown?’ It is not until the very end that we find out Abuelita’s work is being a storyteller.

Analysis
From the cover of MY ABUELITA the reader can see the connection to Mexico and its culture. Morales use of polymer clay characters is reminiscent of the Mexican folk art style of dolls and toys. The characters are dressed in bright colors with the patterns that are seen in not only on the clothing but on the furniture, placemats, rugs and dishes. Yuyi weaves in cultural markers throughout the pages of MY ABUELITA to compliment Johnston’s words. Johnston names the cat “Frida” Kahlo after the well known artist Frida Kahlo from Mexico, who was famous for her portraits. The reader sees Frida Kahlo portrait on the first page on a pillow that Abuelita to holding in her hands. The beautiful mirrors with the metal work around them are another marker to Mexico and the art. Morales has Abuelita’s reflection in the mirror as a “calabaza”, a pumpkin to entertain and explain. The illustrations continue to entertain as we see a line of bedroom slippers as Abuelita yodels about “Pantuflas, Pantuflas”. Johnston uses many Spanish words to bring authencity to the family and connection to Mexico. As Abuelita prepares breakfast she has “homemade tortillas” with “queso” and “ huevos estrellados” , “starry eggs” all familiar foods to the culture. The Spanish words are written in a different font to set the Spanish words apart from the English text. This makes the language connection easy to see and understand. It is the details in the illustrations that create the warm feeling of the family in a warm and brightly colored house that reflects the family’s culture and heritage. The painted chests, the ornately decorated mirrors, the fabrics used on the bedding, shower curtain, curtains and Abuelita’s “gown” give continuity to the culture. As Abuelita and her grandson leave she packs her “carcacha”, her jalopy with the props she will need for her work. The “king and queen as brown as beans”, a “calaca”, skeleton that is popular when celebrating the “Dia de los Muertos”, Day of the Dead, and the “feathered crown” all items closely tied to the Mexican culture of the story. As I researched Mexican folk art, I found the type of illustrations used and the details in both the art and words were authentic and respectful to the culture and heritage of Mexico.
Reviews & Awards
Booklist 08/01/09 Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/10
Horn Book 04/01/10 Publishers Weekly 08/31/09
Kirkus Review 08/01/09 School Library Journal 08/01/09
Library Media Connection 05/01/10
Wilson's Children 10/01/10
2010 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book

Full-Text Reviews
Booklist (August 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 22))
Grades 1-3. A young boy narrates an affectionate ode to his beloved grandmother in this fanciful picture book. As day begins, Abuelita, who is round and “robust . . . like a calabaza,” readies for work. Together with the boy and her cat, she stretches and eats “huevos estrellados, starry eggs.” Finally, when they’re dressed and the jalopy is packed, they set off for Abuelita’s storytime, where she captivates an audience with words “as wild as blossoms blooming.” The book lacks a glossary and pronunciation guide, but the many Spanish terms are well defined within the boy’s engaging and poetic narrative, in which he conveys his admiration and affection for his appealingly peppy grandmother. Some of the verbal imagery may be a bit esoteric for younger or more literal readers, but the eye-catching, mixed-media illustrations, sparked with bright patterns, textures, and color, will help reinforce the meaning in the words. A charming tribute to family and the joys and inspiration that storytelling can bring.

Horn Book (Spring 2010)
A boy describes his abuelita's daily routine as she prepares for work. The confusing but lyrical text, deftly incorporating some Spanish words, leads to the story's big reveal: Abuelita is a storyteller. Aptly, Johnston's wordplay provides opportunities for storytellers as a lively read-aloud. Morales's unique mixed-media illustrations (clay, wire, wood, acrylic, etc.) were photographed and computer manipulated.

Kirkus Review (August 1, 2009)
A Mexican-flavored story of a small child who lives with a lovely and extravagant grandmother. He calls her "Abuelita," the affectionate word that Spanish-speaking children and children of Hispanic origin use to name their grandmas. The attentive child expresses a genuine admiration for his Abuelita's job, describing her daily rituals to get ready to work: The child and Abuelita's cat (Frida Kahlo) follow her while she takes a shower, prepares breakfast, exercises her voice and dons (after a reminder) a special gown. Then, after besitos for Frida Kahlo, they leave in an old car, a "carcacha," full of the unusual objects she needs to perform her work: a sun, a moon, a skeleton, a king and a queen. The digital photographs of Morales's unique polymer-clay sculptures, surrounded by elements and colors distinctive of traditional Mexican crafts, create a surrealistic atmosphere that transforms the locations where this story take place--a humble home and a school--into fantastic places. Children and adults, especially those who love listening and telling stories, will be thrilled to discover Abuelita's enchanting profession.

Connections:
This module has really made me reflect on what books I read to students in first grade. My read alouds and activities need to reflect my student population better.
I am excited about the books I have read and discovered in this module so far. MY ABUELITA is a beautiful book that all children can connect to. For my Hispanic students it will be a book to see children and family that look like them.
There are two immediate activities I can see using with my students using this book.
The first activity would be the introduction of storytelling. Oral language is so important to young children and retell is a part of reading assessments so beginning early with storytelling will benefit the children.
The second activity is one I found on the scholastic website listed below. It is a plan on how to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage which is celebrated September 15 to October 15 each year. The lessons on Scholastic .com are for all grade levels K- 5 with booklists for additional literature to introduce and use during this celebration.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/tguide/desc_obj.htm
I found another site for booklist for children and it was the Oprah Book club for Children site.
: http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Books-for-6-to-9-Years-Old-2010-Kids-Reading-List/4