PreS-Gr 2—Set in a small village in Ecuador, this story is about Isabella, the first writer in her family. Her teacher asks her students to write stories honoring Pachamama, Mother Earth, explaining that the best one will be read aloud at an assembly. When she suggests that the children visit the places they write about, Isabella decides on the rose farm where her parents currently work. The previous farm used chemicals that made her mother sick, and when her father complained, they were fired. Now they work on a farm that does not use chemicals. When the time comes to honor Pachamama for food and life, everyone celebrates and Isabella reads her poem to the audience. Then one day her parents surprise her with a trip to the farm, where she sees her poem inscribed above its entrance. Isabella is presented with a large bouquet of roses, the color of the sunrise. The message, promoting the Fair Trade Organization, is obvious, although the story does hold interest. The design and layout consist of a bright, colorful, and realistic illustration opposite a page of text. Attractive graphic borders highlight the text pages and convey a sense of unity.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA
Isabella, an aspiring writer and daughter of rose-farm workers in Ecuador, relates the story of her family's livelihood.
Isabella is very excited because her school will be commemorating "Pachamama" (Mother Earth) with a special assembly that will include original stories and poems. The students begin their assignment, and the teacher is impressed with Isabella's introduction about Ecuador's continual sunshine, which helps the flowers grow so well. Isabella then recounts a time when her parents worked in a rose farm that used insecticides that caused illness and strong headaches, especially for her mother. Healthier and happier days occurred when her parents began work in a new rose farm that practices fair trade and grows roses organically. Isabella's writing continues with basic section headings to explain the concept of fair trade, how the roses are sold around the world and why celebrating Ecuador's Pachamama is important. Her composition parallels her overall narration that's distinguished by a standard typeface opposite the child-oriented look of her written story. Colorful folk-art–style drawings in marker and gouache add an authenticity to this South American tale. Unfortunately, the important message about environmental concerns and equitable working conditions dominates, leaving little story for children to latch onto.
A concluding free-verse poem celebrating the benefits of fair trade and environmental consciousness will resonate more with readers than the mostly instructive text. (afterword) (Picture book.6-9)
