Review Detail

‘A Song of Frutas’ by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Sara Palacios, is a sweet tale of a granddaughter and her grandfather as they sell fruit on the streets of Cuba. The illustrations are vibrant and exude the beauty of the location and the relationship between a granddaughter and her abuelo (grandfather).

Despite the fact that they live in different countries, they do visit each other, and when they can’t be together in person, they write letters, which makes them feel just as close. The fact that the author has made it clear that their words back and forth serve as a hug, ensuring they are always connected.

The author’s note in the back of the book mentions the mixture of English and Spanish, or Spanglish, that is used throughout the story, along with more details about travel restrictions between Cuba and America, New Year’s Eve traditions, and los pregoneros (singing vendors), who describe the things they sell poetically, as a means of attracting customers to purchase their wares.

Children and adults alike will enjoy this book that will enhance their understanding of Spanish words and phrases, and teach about traditions that may not be so familiar.