Alma Flor Ada and YOU Volume I (The Author and YOU) (Volume 1)

Playing on the phrase, the author and you--a common reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said--this series helps the teacher and teacher-librarian understand the underlying purposes of an author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6), featuring insights into the author's background and purposes and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. Each book features personal information about the author, including insight into why he writes the books he does. In addition, lesson plans and/or activities are offered for each of the author's books featured. Lessons stress the particular interests of the author so the author and you (the teacher) can build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book is written by the featured author or in close collaboration with him.

This second book in the series features the life and work of prolific author, Alma Flor Ada, discussing her life and work as a bilingual children's author. Because Alma Flor has compiled such a large volume of work, the series features two volumes about her. This first volume focuses on her life and her picture books for children. Discussion of Alma Flor's childhood in Cuba, her schooling in Europe, and her immigration to America is interwoven with discussions of her children's picture books. The reader thus learns the genesis for the ideas and the stories. This book provides a fascinating window into the life and work of this beloved children's author, stressing her desire to help children develop the writer within.

Grades K-6.