A Song of Frutas
What’s inside...
From Pura Belpré Award–winning author Margarita Engle comes a lively, rhythmic picture book about a little girl visiting her grandfather who is a pregonero—a singing street vendor in Cuba—and helping him sell his fruits. As they walk through the streets, they sing the names of each fruit, turning their journey into a musical celebration. The little girl loves joining her grandfather in this vibrant tradition, and even when they are apart, they stay connected through the rhymes and songs they share across the distance, sending each other embraces made of words that soar like songbirds.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you like best about the vibrant market scenes in the book?
How do you think the girl feels when she visits her grandfather and helps him sell frutas?
What are some ways the girl and her grandfather show their love for each other?
Why do you think sharing stories and songs is important in their family?
If you could create a song about your favorite fruit, what would it be like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the colors and activities in the market scenes, enhancing their observation skills.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the book, helping your child understand and express their own feelings.
Ask your child to think of a special family member and what activities they enjoy doing together, fostering a deeper family connection.
Create a fun activity by making up songs about different fruits with your child, boosting their creativity and making reading interactive.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing any visits to markets or time spent with grandparents, making the book’s themes more relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Family Bonds
Explanation: In 'A Song of Frutas,' the protagonist's warm interactions with her abuelo while selling fruits highlight the importance of family connections.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and cherish the time spent with family members, recognizing the support and love that strengthens their personal growth.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: The narrative weaves in various aspects of Cuban culture, including language and traditions, teaching children the beauty of cultural diversity.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to embrace and respect different cultures, fostering a more inclusive attitude towards diverse communities in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Entrepreneurial Spirit
Explanation: The young girl's involvement in selling frutas with her grandfather showcases the basics of commerce and entrepreneurship.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to learn about self-reliance, creativity in business, and the value of hard work through simple entrepreneurial projects like a lemonade stand.
Example Lesson: Importance of Creativity
Explanation: The rhythmic nature of the poems and the vibrant illustrations encourage a love for artistic expression and creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to express themselves through art, music, and writing, enhancing their creative abilities and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Learning New Languages
Explanation: Spanish words integrated into the text provide a linguistic learning opportunity for children.
Real-World Application: This can spark an interest in learning new languages, expanding their linguistic skills and cultural awareness from an early age.