BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 1999. The Rainbow Tulip. Ill. Elizabeth Sayles. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670872916
PLOT SUMMARY
Estelita, otherwise known as, Stella is different from the other first graders in her American school. Her parents are from Mexico and speak another language. Despite these differences Stella is accepted at school by her teacher and classmates. She was excited to be tulip with “all the spring colors” for their upcoming class May parade and enlisted the help of her aunt to make the perfect rainbow tulip costume. When Stella arrives for her performance she is the only one wearing a multi-colored colored costume, she is uncomfortable with yet again another difference. She concentrates on having a good performance so her teacher, friends and mother will be proud of her. Stella soon learns that being different can sometimes be hard but being different allows for sweet, quiet rewards.
Mora, Pat. 1999. The Rainbow Tulip. Ill. Elizabeth Sayles. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670872916
PLOT SUMMARY
Estelita, otherwise known as, Stella is different from the other first graders in her American school. Her parents are from Mexico and speak another language. Despite these differences Stella is accepted at school by her teacher and classmates. She was excited to be tulip with “all the spring colors” for their upcoming class May parade and enlisted the help of her aunt to make the perfect rainbow tulip costume. When Stella arrives for her performance she is the only one wearing a multi-colored colored costume, she is uncomfortable with yet again another difference. She concentrates on having a good performance so her teacher, friends and mother will be proud of her. Stella soon learns that being different can sometimes be hard but being different allows for sweet, quiet rewards.
Critical Analysis
The Rainbow Tulip was based on Pat Mora’s family memories and gently conveys the struggles of a Mexican immigrant child caught between her two worlds; her Mexican home and her English world. “At home I’m Estelita. At school my name is Stella.” Stella explains that she knows her mother is different from the other mothers, “She does not wear make-up” “Her hair is tied in a bun and her dresses are long”. She wishes her mother could be more like her American friend’s mothers and also be able to communicate with her teacher, so her mother would know what a good student she was. Mora reaches her young readers by offering a mirror for immigrant children and provides American children an opportunity to better understand their classmates that have dual heritage.
Mora blends Spanish words with natural stroke “My father gives us an abrazo, a hug” and “I’ll be the most beautiful tulip, el tuipan mas lindo, in the whole world, en todo el mundo.” Readers can easily follow along by providing the readers with these context clues.
Elizabeth Sayles’ illustrations are of soft water colors that mirror the stories gently storyline. Sayles’ facial expressions tell a story within itself. Her illustrations seem to grow gradually from muted colors to brighter colors as the story’s character grows in confidence with her differences.
The Author’s Note at the conclusion of this book provides the reader with information about the immigration of almost one million Mexicans that entered the United States Between 1880 and the Great Depression. She also shares family memories and reminds readers that these immigrants remained in this country to become “productive citizens, proud of their dual heritage.”
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Library Journal- “Mora succeeds in creating a quiet story to which children will respond.”
Kirkus - “With warmth and directness, Mora celebrates diversity, but provides a balanced view of assimilation as well, Sayles's softly colored illustrations, by turns wistful and vibrant; capture the times and the tone as a young child finds her place in her parents' new country.”
Other Books by Pat Mora
Mora,Pat. Tomas and the library lady. 9780679904014.
Mora, Pat. Pablo’s Tree. ISBN 9780027674019.
