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Calling the Doves / El canto de las palomas

By Juan Herrera
Illustrated by Elly Simmons

Paperback: $9.95

Six Pack: $59.70

Calling the Doves is poet Juan Felipe Herrera's story of his migrant farmworker childhood. In delightful and lyrical language, he recreates the joy of eating breakfast under the open sky, listening to Mexican songs in the little trailer house his father built, and celebrating with other families at a fiesta in the mountains. He remembers his mother’s songs and poetry, and his father's stories and his calling the doves. For Juan Felipe, the farmworker road was also the beginning of his personal road to becoming a writer.

Read about how to use picture books to teach and discuss Poet Laureate of the United States Juan Felipe Herrera.

Check out the American Immigration Council's post, "Juan Felipe Herrera Offers Insight and Inspiration into the Migrant Farmworker Experience for Youth," for more ideas.

Reviews & Comments

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About the Creators

Thumb_thumb Juan Herrera - Author

is an acclaimed poet and children's book author. His first children's book, Calling the Doves, won the prestigious Ezra Jack Keats Award, and another book, The Upside Down Boy, was made into a musical for young audiences in 2004. He teaches at California State University, Fresno.

Thumb_thumb Elly Simmons

is an internationally-exhibited painter. Her first picture book for Children's Book Press, Magic Dogs of the Volcanoes by Manlio Argueto, was highly praised for its rich colors and magnificent imagery. She lives with her family in Lagunitas, California.

About This Title

ISBN

Paperback: 9780892391660

Six Pack: 9780892392537

Guided Reading:

P

Lexile:

AD910L

Interest Level:

Grades 2 - 5

Reading Level:

Grades 4 - 4

Themes

Vehicles In Motion, Occupations, Mothers, Latino/Hispanic/Mexican Interest, Immigration, Home, History, Fathers, Farming, Families, Environment/Nature, Dreams & Aspirations, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Bilingual, Poverty, People In Motion, Biography/Memoir, California, Courage, Identity/Self Esteem/Confidence, Nonfiction, Pride

Part of These Collections

Fluent Bilingual, Bilingual Spanish/English Guided Reading Level P, Biography and Memoir Grades 3-6, Appendix B Diverse Collection Grades 3-6, Juan Felipe Herrera Collection, Bilingual English/Spanish and Dual Language Books , Mexico Culture Collection, Family Diversity , RITELL Grades 3-6 Collection, California Book Collection , Bilingual Bestsellers, Bilingual English/Spanish Collection

Latin American Collection English 6PK