Synopses & Reviews
Playing on the phrase, the author and you—a common reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said—this series helps the teacher and teacher-librarian understand the underlying purposes of an author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6), featuring insights into the author's background and purposes and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. Each book features personal information about the author, including insight into why he writes the books he does. In addition, lesson plans and/or activities are offered for each of the author's books featured. Lessons stress the particular interests of the author so the author and you (the teacher) can build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book is written by the featured author or in close collaboration with him.
This second book in the series features the life and work of prolific author, Alma Flor Ada, discussing her life and work as a bilingual children's author. Because Alma Flor has compiled such a large volume of work, the series features two volumes about her. This first volume focuses on her life and her picture books for children. Discussion of Alma Flor's childhood in Cuba, her schooling in Europe, and her immigration to America is interwoven with discussions of her children's picture books. The reader thus learns the genesis for the ideas and the stories. This book provides a fascinating window into the life and work of this beloved children's author, stressing her desire to help children develop the writer within.
Playing on the phrase, the author and you—a common reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said—this series helps the teacher and teacher-librarian understand the underlying purposes of an author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6), featuring insights into the author's background, purposes and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. Each book features personal information about the author, including insight into why he writes the type of books he does. In addition, lesson plans and/or activities are offered for each of the author's books featured. Lessons stress the particular interests of the author so the author and you (the teacher) can build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book is written by the featured author or in close collaboration with her. This second book in the series features the life and work of prolific author, Alma Flor Ada, discussing her life and work as a bilingual children's author. Because Alma Flor has compiled such a large volume of work, the series will feature two volumes about her. The first volume focuses on her life and her picture books for children. Discussion of Alma Flor's childhood in Cuba, her schooling in Europe, and her immigration to America is interwoven with discussions of her children's picture books. The reader thus learns the genesis for the ideas and the stories. This book provides a fascinating window into the life and work of the beloved children's author and her desire to help children develop the writer within. Grades K-6.
Review
"This two-volume set on the highly prolific Cuban-American children's writer and translator includes, in the first volume, information about her family heritage; her life in Cuba, Europe, and America; and her process of creating original children's books. The second volume, to be published later, will contain her insights on retelling folktales and legends and working in both English and Spanish." - MultiCultural Review
Review
"The Author and YOU author series is just what librarians and teachers need. Not only does each book give fascinating personal and enlightening details about the featured author's life, the strategies for using the author's books are practical and easy to use. This series helps readers better understand the authors and the books they write, and provides creative suggestions to help young readers truly understand and appreciate the individual titles. A great resource that teachers and librarians will use again and again; the strategies can be the basis for many lessons across the curriculum. Keep these titles coming!
Peggy Sharp" < p=""> <>
About the Author
ALMA FLOR ADA is Professor of Education at the University of San Francisco. She is a well- known author of children's and professional books for teachers and with Isabel Campoy is the owner of a publishing company that specializes in Spanish language translations and materials for children.
Table of Contents
Contents
My Life as an Author
Creating Original Picture Books
Letters and I
Newspapers and I
Latino Identity
The Joy of Family and Traditions
Respect for Farmworkers
Childhood Memories
The Richness of Children's Folklore
Diversity
The World of Nature
The World of Fantasy
In Search of Identity
The Promise of Transformation
Retelling Folktales and Legends
The Rich Heritage of Folktales and Legends
Traditional Characters in Contemporary Settings