On This Beautiful Island (En Esta Hermosa Isla)
Guanín, our narrator, uses poetic verse to describe his family traditions and life in Puerto Rico.
The intricate, colorful illustrations will brighten any day, even if you don't read the text.
None.
Our preschooler routinely picked up the book and stared at the cover. S/he was clearly mesmerized by Guanín’s image. Still, we weren't very successful getting many readings, and were routinely told “the end” after just a few pages.
The illustrations are incredibly beautiful. It is difficult to tell, at times, whether this is to be a rhyming verse or descriptive poem. When reading aloud, sometimes the rhyming and/or alliterations theme works, at other times, thought it is difficult reading.
This is a pastoral book that celebrates and educates children about the Taíno history and culture.
The story introduces children to Puerto Rico, and more specifically, the Taino culture (which they aren't likely to see elsewhere). The book offers a nice springboard for talking about the cultural histories and traditions in your own family.
0.0
6 to 10
3 to 8
Read with 3½-year-old child.
This could go either way. The illustrations alone make it a beautiful book to have. Go to the library and seek this out. As a Latino family, it is a nice book for our personal collection.
| Title | On This Beautiful Island / En esta hermosa isla) |
| Author | Edwin Fontanez |
| Publisher | Exit Studio © 2004 |
| Illustrators | Edwin Fontanez |
| ISBN | 0964086867 |
| Material | Hard Cover |
| Cost | $14.95 |
| Genres | Family, Historical Fiction |
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