Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primavera
By Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya Gonzalez
Paperback: $11.95

Bilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.

Description

Tomatoes laugh, chiles explode, and tortillas applaud the sun! With joy and tenderness, delight and sadness, Alcarcón’s poems honor the wonders of life and nature: welcoming the morning sun, remembering his grandmother’s songs, paying tribute to children working in the fields, and sharing his dream of a world filled with gardens.

Artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invites us to experience the poems with her lively cast of characters-including a spirited grandma, four vivacious children, and playful pets who tease and delight. Follow them from page to page as they bring each poem to colorful life.

Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems is a verbal and visual treat, giving us twenty opportunities to see everything for the first time.

About the Creators

Francisco X. Alarcón
Francisco X. Alarcón

Francisco X. Alarcón was a renowned poet and educator, and a three-time winner of the Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for his bilingual Magical Cycle of the Seasons series of poetry for children. His many other honors include the American Book Award, the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, the Chicano Literary Prize, and finalist for state poet laureate of California. Alarcón was also the author of several poetry collections for adults and textbooks for teaching Spanish. In addition, he directed the Spanish for Native Speakers Program at the University of California. Alarcón passed away in early 2016.

Maya Gonzalez

Maya Gonzalez is an award-winning children’s book artist, author, activist and progressive educator. Their work addresses systemic inequity in relation to race/ethnicity, sexism, and cissexism using children’s books as radical agents of change and healing, both personally and culturally. Gonzalez co-founded Reflection Press, a POC, queer and trans owned independent publishing house that uses holistic, nature-based, and anti-oppression frameworks in their books and materials for kids and grown-ups. They are also the creator of the Gender Wheel, a tool to express the dynamic, infinite and inclusive reality of gender, and provides lectures and workshops to educators, parents and caregivers. Visit them online at mayagonzalez.com.

Awards

  • Pura Belpré Author Award Winner

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Américas Award Commended Title

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

  • National Parenting Publications Awards

    National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)

Reviews

  • "Alarcón, an award-winning poet, has the ability to write beautiful poems in both languages... the poems are fun, language-rich, and brought to life by the realistic illustrations. The illustrations are delightful."

    - Multicultural Review
  • "Maya Christina Gonzalez has created delightfully upbeat and innovative artwork to accompany the text--so bountiful it feels as if it's spilling off the pages. Her sense of joy is immediately contagious and the paintings, upon repeated gazing, offer more and more to look at."

    - Hungry Mind Review
  • "This collection of verses in English and Spanish, illustrated with bold, primitive paintings, carves a lighthearted niche all its own."

    - San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892391998
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 8 × 0.2 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Poetry / General
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Cooking & Food
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • Themes Bilingual, Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Dreams & Aspirations, Environment / Nature, Families, Farming, Food, Friendship, Grandparents, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Imagination, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Poetry, Pride, Weather / Seasons / Clothing
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 7 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 6
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 4.3
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades 2 - 6
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.

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      Xochitl and the Flowers / Xóchitl, la Niña de las Flores

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      Featherless / Desplumado

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      Birthday in the Barrio / Cumpleaños en el Barrio

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      Drum, Chavi, Drum! / ¡Toca, Chavi, Toca!

      Who says girls can't play drums? The beat of Chavi's congas livens up her entire neighborhood. When she's not picked to drum in Miami's Calle Ocho festival, she decides to do something about it!

      Soledad Sigh-Sighs / Soledad suspiros

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A picture book about eight-year-old Soledad, a latchkey child whose friends come up with an imaginative solution to make Soledad feel less lonely when she gets home from school.

      The Adventures of Connie and Diego / Las aventuras de Connie y Diego

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      The Invisible Hunters / Los Cazadores Invisibles

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      Pie-Biter

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      A Movie in My Pillow / Una película en mi almohada

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Young Jorgito has come to live in the Mission District of San Francisco, but he hasn't forgotten the unique beauty of El Salvador.

      Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.

      Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems

      Following the success of their award-winning book of spring poems, Laughing Tomatoes, and their acclaimed collection of summer poems, From the Bellybutton of the Moon, poet Francisco Alarcón and artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invite us to experience fall in Los Angeles-the City of Angels-where dreams can come true.

      Calling the Doves / El canto de las palomas

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Calling the Doves is Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera's story of his migrant farmworker childhood.

      Family Pictures / Cuadros de familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In this Pura Belpré Honor-winning book, Carmen Lomas Garza tells the story of her childhood growing up in Kingsville, TX.

      From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the Bellybutton of the Moon is renowned poet Francisco X. Alarcón's collection of 22 poems inspired by his touching recollections of childhood summers in Mexico.

      Grandma and Me at the Flea / Los Meros Meros Remateros

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Every Sunday, Juanito helps his grandmother sell old clothes beneath the rainbow-colored tents at the remate, the flea market.

      Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In their final collection of seasonal poetry, poet Francisco X. Alarcón and artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invite us to celebrate winter-by the seashore, in the magic city of San Francisco, and in the ancient redwood forests of the Sierras.

      In My Family / En mi familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's second book of family pictures, a continuing tribute to the loving family and community that shaped her childhood-and her life.

      It Doesn't Have To Be This Way / No tiene que ser así

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Monchi likes to write poems, hang out with his cousin Dreamer, and tell stories to his uncle, Tío Rogelio, until one day, a member of the local gang tells him it's time to join up.

      Angel's Kite / La estrella de Angel

      By award-winning Mexican author Alberto Blanco, comes the story of how a young kite maker mysteriously brings back the missing church bell to his beloved town.

      Let Me Help! / ¡Quiero ayudar!

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Perico learns this phrase from little Martita, who's been saying it a lot lately. When the whole family scrambles to prepare for Cinco de Mayo, Perico knows there must be some way he can help-even if he is just a parrot.

      My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta allá

      Bilingual English/Spanish. One night, young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to the other side of the border- to Los Angeles, where greater opportunity awaits.

      Magic Windows / Ventanas mágicas

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Through the magic windows of her cut-paper art, Carmen shows us her family, her life as an artist, and the legends of her Aztec past.

      The Harvest Birds / Los pájaros de la cosecha

      Bilingual English/Spanish. The zanate birds advise Juan to keep the weeds around his land and to plant beans, squash, and corn together.

      The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A bilingual biography of Pura Belpré, New York City's first Latina librarian.

      The Upside Down Boy / El niño de cabeza

      Bilingual English/Spanish. The Upside Down Boy is award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera's engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time.

      The Woman Who Outshone the Sun / La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A legend of Lucia Zenteno, who is part of the oral history of the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico.

      Where Fireflies Dance / Ahi, donde bailan las luciérnagas

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In her first book for children, award-winning author Lucha Corpi remembers her childhood growing up in Jáltipan, Mexico, where the moon hung low and the fireflies flickered in the night air.

    • 20
      Pura Belpré Award Collection
      Collection of 20 books: $282.04

      Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina

      Mismatched and fabulous Marisol McDonald celebrates her Peruvian and Scottish heritage.
      Bilingual English/Spanish.

      Sharuko

      A fascinating bilingual picture book biography of Peruvian archaeologist and national icon Julio C. Tello, who unearthed Peru's ancient cultures and fostered pride in the country's Indigenous history.

      My Tata's Remedies

      A bilingual story of family and traditional wisdom: Tata teaches grandson Aaron natural remedies through healing neighbors and family.

      All Around Us

      This gorgeous picture book -- winner of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor and American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honor -- celebrates the circles that surround us, in the sky, the earth, our neighborhoods, ourselves... if we just dare to look for them.

      From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the Bellybutton of the Moon is renowned poet Francisco X. Alarcón's collection of 22 poems inspired by his touching recollections of childhood summers in Mexico.

      Mama and Papa Have a Store

      A young girl describes what a typical day is like in her parents' Chinese store in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Recipient of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor in 2000.

      ¡Olé! Flamenco

      A photo-essay about flamenco, a centuries-old living art form, originating in southern Spain, that incorporates traditional dance, song, and music.

      Under the Mesquite

      Lupita, a budding actor and poet in a close-knit Mexican American immigrant family, comes of age as she struggles with adult responsibilities during her mother's long illness.

      The Pot That Juan Built

      With vibrant illustrations by Caldecott Medal winner David Diaz,The Pot that Juan Builtis sure to enlighten all who are fascinated by traditional art forms, Mexican culture, and the power of the human spirit to find inspiration from the past.

      First Day in Grapes

      The powerful story of a migrant boy who grows in self-confidence when he uses his math prowess to stand up to the school bullies.

      Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In their final collection of seasonal poetry, poet Francisco X. Alarcón and artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invite us to celebrate winter-by the seashore, in the magic city of San Francisco, and in the ancient redwood forests of the Sierras.

      My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta allá

      Bilingual English/Spanish. One night, young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to the other side of the border- to Los Angeles, where greater opportunity awaits.

      My Colors, My World / Mis colores, mi mundo

      Bilingual English/Spanish. An instant favorite, this beautiful bilingual board book follows Maya as she discovers all the colors in her world.

      Gracias • Thanks

      In a series of poetic sentences, a young boy (biracial Mexican/Caucasian) tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful.

      Arrorró, mi niño

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A book of Latino lullabies and games, inspired by the author's own childhood in Puerto Rico.

      In My Family / En mi familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's second book of family pictures, a continuing tribute to the loving family and community that shaped her childhood-and her life.

      Family Pictures / Cuadros de familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In this Pura Belpré Honor-winning book, Carmen Lomas Garza tells the story of her childhood growing up in Kingsville, TX.

      Magic Windows / Ventanas mágicas

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Through the magic windows of her cut-paper art, Carmen shows us her family, her life as an artist, and the legends of her Aztec past.

      Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.

      The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A bilingual biography of Pura Belpré, New York City's first Latina librarian.

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