*Image from barnesandnoble.com
A. Bibliographic Data: Mora, Pat, ed. Love to Mama’ A Tribute to Mothers. Illustrated by Paula S. Barragan M. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.,2001. ISBN 1584300191
B. Critical Analysis: Plot Summary: This is a collection of poems written by Latino poets celebrating mothers, grandmothers and their special place within the world. Each poem is rich with culture and often has both English and Spanish words for the reader’s enjoyment. Each poem tells a beautiful story while encouraging readers to make connections to their own relatives through humor and love. This book of poems would be a great addition to any library looking to encourage multiculturalism and high quality poetry.
Appeal: Though the majority of the poems in this book lack rhyming words (which is especially appealing to beginning readers) the topics and natural fluidity of the poems will keep readers wanting to read more. The youngest of readers may feel overwhelmed with the length of some of the poems, while they will be just right for 2nd-5th grade readers. Insight into the world of Latinos is provided with these poems, as well as knowledge about the specifics of the culture. Such topics as types of food, language, and women’s rights are all addressed. Readers’ emotions and imagination will definitely be stimulated by reading these poems. Readers will be anxious to share their own Mom and Grandma stories and discuss similarities and differences among the women they know and those of the poems!
Meaning: Though the meaning of these poems can be applied to various aspects of life, their meaning is undoubtedly concrete. Readers will immediately see the truth in these poems as the poets retell their fondest memories of time spent with mothers and grandmothers. Latino childhood is brought to life with their words and readers will be sure to notice their realness and validity. The poems are set up by an introduction written by Pat Mora in which she describes the reason and purpose of collecting these poems. Readers are able to read more about the poets used in this book by turning to the back pages and reading each blurb about the poets. Both resources add to the readers ability to make connections and appreciate the meaning of these poems.
Rhythm and Sound: As mentioned before, the poems in this book do not rhyme. Instead the poem’s rhythm and fluidity is achieved through punctuation, stanzas and word placement. Though this will take practice for new poetry readers, once achieved the correct reading of these poems will provide readers with a much more complex rhythm and a sound very pleasing to their ear. Though each poem was written by a different Latino poet, there is a sense of consistency that is easy to see throughout the entire book. This stems from the use of Spanish words and the emphasis on emotions and family.
Language: What makes the language of this book so special is without a doubt the use of both English and Spanish. Especially in Texas the number of bilingual students and readers is always growing. This book will be able to relate to those students and make them feel comfortable in reading and enjoying poetry. Similes, metaphors and personification are also used to enrich the language of readers while providing a great foundation for mental pictures and imaginations to take off.
Imagery: Of the five senses, the ability to create mental pictures is most well represented among these poems. There is also emphasis placed on sounds and smells, though not so much on taste and touch. Each poet has an uncanny ability to bring readers into the experience they’re sharing while allowing just enough room for readers to create their own pictures as well. The illustrations also provide great support for the images the poets’ diction present.
Emotional Impact: These poems provide a great platform for readers to be emotionally impacted. The poems in this book not only celebrate mothers and grandmothers but they also celebrate women- in which every reader will know a certain woman that is dear to their hearts. It is a subject that will affect many and will draw new readers in as well. The tone and mood of the book is light hearted and has the ability to bring spirits up.
Layout and Organization: The poems of the book do not seem to be arranged in any particular theme. All poems are about the same general topic and so they are placed in a way that best suits the overall flow of the book. The illustrations are highly appropriate and do a great job at supporting the poems and their images. The poem formatting enhances the poems and makes them easier to read and understand. Though Pat Mora is significantly known among children’s poetry, I was unfamiliar with any of the other poets used in this collection. The poems’ lengths are acceptable though one or two seem to be a little longer than usual. All emotions and feelings expressed are consistent, making this book a natural and fluent read!
C. Example: Poem Song to Mothers
Your laugh is a green song,
cancion verde,
that branches
through our house
its yellow blooms smelling
like warm honey.
Your laugh peels apples
and stirs their cinnamon bubblings,
then opens a book and pulls me
onto your lap.
At night, your laugh kisses
us soft as a petal, smooths my pillow
and covers me, a soft leafy blanket,
green and yellow.
I snuggle into your laugh,
your cancion verde
and dream of growing
into my own green song.
-Pat Mora
Introduction: To spark students’ interest, I would first read the poem without giving them the title. I would have them listen to the poem, look at the poem and discuss the poem with a neighbor. I would then survey the class to see the different ideas of who the poem could have been written about. I would emphasize this as being a beautiful part of poetry-that everyone can have their own interpretation and that one poem has the ability to speak to each of us differently. I will then share the title with students, reread the poem and ask them how their opinion of the poem has changed since they now know who the poem is about.
Ideas for Sharing: Of course this poem immediately makes me think of Mother’s Day and having the students share this poem (or even better-one they wrote following this one as a model) with their mothers or special female relative. During class though, I think it would be a great poem to share out loud with each student reading a line. Since there is 18 lines this is realistic considering the size of classrooms. I also think it would be beautifully read in chorale with each student starting after the other student has read the first line.
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