Book review - Pat Mora's Listen to the Desert

Kathey Smith

Book Review

1.        BIBLIOGRAPHY- Mora, Pat. 1994. Listen to the Desert: Oye al desierto. Ill. By Francisco X. Mora. New York, NY. Clarion Books ISBN 039562929

2.       PLOT SUMMARY- In this nicely designed book Pat Mora uses both English and Spanish words to describe sounds that may be found in the desert. Mora presented sounds of both animals and elements of the earth. Francisco Mora uses a lot of vibrant colors and clearly defined the sun, sky, clouds, and ground.  The eyes on the animals were very captivating and gave the appearance that the animals really felt the activities of the desert.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS- Mora’s writing is simple and an easy read, this book offers anticipation, and repetition, from page to page.  Mora’s writing promotes the use of two languages and provides a good opportunity for readers and listeners to use the senses of hearing, feeling, and listing at the same time. Francisco Mora’s use of bold colors draws full attention to the pictures on each page displaying a fun active   environment.

4.       REVIEW EXCERTS(S)

"The sounds of the desert can be heard in this bilingual story as an owl hoots, a toad hops, and a snake hisses...Librarians will want to use this title with story time groups, whose participants will enjoy pointing out the animals pictures and making   appropriate, noises".

       School Library Journal

     

A very simple text, with each line (“listen to coyote call, ar-ar-aooo, ar-ar-aooo/Elcoyote  canta, ahuuu, ahuuu, ahuuu”, “listen to wind spin, zoom, zoom, zoom…”) repeated  twice in English and Spanish, becomes a rhythmic, lyrical bilingual chant suggesting the onomatopoeic powers of both tongues… An attractive book for introducing the desert- and a second language- to young children.”- Kirkus Reviews 

5.       CONNECTIONS- This book is a good starter when teaching ESL students or teaching young students Spanish, it may also aide in a lesson about the desert and or a lesson about the five senses as an ice breaker or a tool to lead in the lesson.