Book Write Up #2: book #2

Author: Eric Velasquez

Title: Grandma's Gift

Illustrator: Eric Velasquez

Genre: Picture Book

Subgenre: Christmas Book

Theme: Finding role models of your own ethnicity can open the windows for so much exploration.

Primary and Secondary Characters: Eric and his Grandma Carmen

Awards and date of publication: Pura Belpre Award: published in 2010

Publishing Company: Walker and Company

Eric has to go to the Metropolitan Museum with his grandma for a school project. Before they go to the museum they have to La Marqueta, so his grandma can make her famous pasteles for Christmas Eve. Pasteles are a famous Puerto Rican dish that takes a lot of work. They went to the market where his grandma knows everyone and is able to speak Spanish. After the market they go to the museum. At the museum his grandma is very uncomfortable, because she can not read English or speak it very well. When they go into the museum they see this painting that is painted by a Puerto Rican painter. This really inspires Eric and he expresses to his grandma that now he wants to start painting. On Christmas Eve his grandma buys him his first set of paints, and paper.

I will use this book with students to show them that different cultures have different traditions for the holiday's. I can also use this book to teach them the insecurities that someone may have when they do not speak english, and that the students need to have compassion with these people.