Francisco X. Alarcón has collaborated with artist Maya Christina Gonzalez to create a series of four poetry books, each celebrating a different season of the year. The four books offer readers a wide-ranging yet personal exploration of the magical cycle of the seasons. Beginning with the Pura Belpré Honor Award winner Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems / Jitomates risueños y otros poemas de primavera, the poet approaches each season from multiple perspectives. Memories of family and community as well as moments and figures in history are interwoven with reflections on natural phenomena, such as the weather, plants, and geography. The other three books in the series are From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems / Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas del verano, Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems / Los ángeles andan en bicicleta y otros poemas del otoño, and Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems / Iguanas en la nieve y otros poemas de invierno.
Of the poems in Laughing Tomatoes / Jitomates risueños, Alarcón writes, “A collection of poetry is like a tomato plant. From a small seed it sprouts, then grows and grows. Poems need good soil, sunlight, water, air, and lots of care and tending. Some of these poems were written first in Spanish, others in English, and some came out in both languages almost at the same time. Poems, like tomatoes, grow in many shapes and forms. And somehow they change every time you read them. This is the magic of poetry.” And so it is with the poems in all the books in this series.
Alarcón invites his readers to take ownership of the poems by reading them and following their inspiration wherever it may lead. The materials that follow in this teacher’s guide provide ideas for ways to use the books and the poems in third grade classrooms (activities are matched to California’s state standards for third grade). However, the poetry will also be greatly enjoyed by both younger and older students. The books may be used separately or in a variety of combinations to explore poetry and the themes presented in the poems, or to serve as a creative entry point into other areas of the curriculum.
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Mexican American |
Environment:
cycles in nature; seasons; ecosystems; interdependence
Community:
family; shared wisdom and knowledge; traditions; history
Transformations:
growth and change; life cycles; migration
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| Francisco X. Alarcón is a renowned poet and educator. Winner of numerous awards and the author of books of poetry for both children and adults, his poetry about the seasons has been celebrated by reviewers as “brilliant,” “beautiful in two languages,” and “a model for children.” He lives in Davis, California, where he teaches at the University of California. |
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| Maya Christina Gonzalez is an acclaimed artist and illustrator. Her joyous artwork for Francisco X. Alarcón’s poems has been praised by reviewers as “lively,” “innovative,” and “so bountiful it feels as if it’s spilling off the pages.” Gonzalez lives in San Francisco, California. |
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Our thanks to the Irwin Home Equity Foundation for their support in the production of this Teacher's Guide.
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