Synopses & Reviews
After their olive crop fails, Maria fears that her family will have to abandon their farm on the new island colony. Then, one night she dreams of a mysterious beautiful lady shrouded by trees with branches hung with hundreds of little suns. They are oranges like the ones Maria's parents once ate in their homeland, Valencia, Spain. That very day Maria and her family plant the seeds that soon yield a magnificent orange grove and save the farm. But who was the mysterious lady who appeared in her dream and will Maria ever find her again?
Review
"[T]his talented team evokes an enchanted, sun-kissed world where dreams, and gratitude, bear fruit." Booklist
Review
"Children of all backgrounds will be drawn in by the universal themes of home and family....Vidal has painted colorful, yet warm illustrations that add depth to the story." School Library Journal
Review
"Alvarez creates a lovely tale based on legends from her childhood in the Dominican Republic....Vidal's detailed, lovingly rendered pictures glow like the oranges and the stars she so beautifully depicts." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
After Maria's family's olive crop fails, a mysterious woman appears in her dreams and suggests the family grow oranges instead. That very day the family plants seeds that yield a magnificent orange grove and saves the farm. Who was the mysterious woman? Illustrations.
About the Author
Alvarez is a poet and fiction writer. She teaches creative writing and literature at Middlebury College.