Dona Flor

By Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colon
ISBN: 9780375923371

Bibliography:

Mora, Pat. 2005. Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman With a Great Big Heart. Ill. by Raúl Colón. New York: Knopf.

Plot:

This story is about Dona Flor, a beautiful and giving gentle giant who shares her loving nature with all people, animals, and plants. She lovingly takes care of and provides for the people in her village. One day when the people feel threatened by the sound of a giant, roaring puma, Dona Flor makes it her mission to find this dangerous puma. When she eventually finds it, she discovers that it is a harmless, little puma simply creating a loud echo through a hollow log. She befriends and tames the cat, and alerts the people that they are safe.

Analysis:

This tall tale takes place in a village of the American Southwest surrounded by beautiful swirling mountains and lush green trees. Mora describes how Dona Flor became a giant in the following quote: “When Flor was a baby, her mother sang to her in a voice sweet as river music. When Flor’s mother sang to her corn plants, they grew tall as trees, and when she sang to her baby, her sweet flower, Flor grew and grew, too. Dona Flor possesses the gift of being able to speak the languages of all of the animals. As the heroine of this story, she sets a beautiful example of kindness and helpfulness and loves even the smallest and most insignificant of creatures.

Mora intersperses Spanish throughout the text to connect with Spanish culture as in the following quote: “Flor wanted everyone to feel at home in her house. Mi casa es su casa, she said to people, animals, and plants, so they knew they were welcome.”Colon’s beautiful, swirling scratchboard images create magical sceneries of adobe homes and landscapes. The artwork is brilliantly colorful and authentically represents Spanish cultures.

Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal: "There is great texture and movement on each page in the sun-baked tones of the landscape. With Spanish words peppered throughout, this is a welcome entry to the canon that includes other heroines like Sally Ann Thunder and Thunder Rose."

Booklist: "A winning read-aloud, particularly for children who can recognize the intermittent Spanish phrases."

Connections:

*Other works by Pat Mora:

Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico!: Ameria's Sproutings ISBN: 9781584302711

Abuelos ISBN: 9780888997166

Tomas and the Library Lady ISBN: 9780375803499

* Check out Pat Mora's Website

http://www.patmora.com