Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

By Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya Gonzalez

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.

Description

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.

We see a city where people are bridges to each other and children sing poetry in two languages. A family frolic in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing by his grandmother’s house in Mexico. We are dazzled by the promise of seedling redwoods-like all children-destined to be the ancestors of tomorrow.

Artist Maya Christina Gonzalez has once again created a spirited family of children and adults who swing their way through colorful pages. Collages of old maps of Mexico and California provide intriguing backgrounds, and fun-loving iguanas peek out at us from the most surprising places.

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 Honor

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Américas Award Commended Title

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

Reviews

  • "It is one of Alarcón's strengths that he makes both the reading and writing of poetry accessible. His work serves as an excellent pattern for teaching students to write about their own experiences. . . Gonzalez's illustrations are bright and busy, catching the playful cadence of the words."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Fans of their earlier collaborations and professionals seeking to expand their ESL collections will appreciate this new addition."

    - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892392025
  • Publication Date Aug 09, 2001
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 8 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892391684
  • Publication Date Aug 09, 2001
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Science & Nature / Environment
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Poetry
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • Themes Animals, Bilingual, Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Dreams & Aspirations, Environment / Nature, Families, Friendship, Grandparents, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Imagination, Immigration, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Neighbors, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Poetry, Pride
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 7 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 6
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 3.4
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades 2 - 6
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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