retrieved from apples4teacher.com on 2/11/2013

My Mexico-Mexico mio

Bibliography

Johnston, Tony. My Mexico-Mexico mio. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1996. ISBN 0698117573

Critical Analysis:

My Mexico-Mexico mio is a small book of 18 mostly free verse poems, written in both English and Spanish. Each depicts an aspect of Mexican culture. A couple of the poems are humorous, such as I Am Cucaracha, and Little Piece of Prickly Pear.  A few, such as Street Dogs and Downtown, Mexico City are even thought provoking but the majority of the poems in this book are unremarkable and not Johnston’s best work. Most have little emotional impact and seem rather bland and uninteresting although the beautiful illustrations help to distract the reader just a bit. The English translations while adequately conveying the meaning of the Spanish versions are a little rough and difficult to read.

I Am Cucaracha

  Put down your broom, Senora.

          Senor, don’t raise your shoe.

          My family is an ancient one,

          Much older, far, than you.

          Respect is what I ask for.

          I’m old. And you are new.

          Calm yourself, Senora

          Don’t shriek so, por favor.

          My line began before your time

          By steamy, slimy shore.

          Respect, dear lady, I demand.

          Don’t crush me on the floor.

          Put down your broom, Senora.

          And let me scuttle through

          To crannied kitchen cupboards

          Much darker than your shoe,

          Senor. I am truly ancient.

          Respect is what I’m due.

That is not to say that this book of poetry is not an adequate addition to a poetry collection. The fact that each poem is printed in English as well as Spanish makes it a helpful tool for introducing English to Spanish-speaking students or vice versa, a more energetic selection might be more appealing to most students.

While not laid out in any particular order, the table of contents gives the reader a bit of direction and a helpful glossary in the back aids non-Spanish speaking readers with pronunciation. The illustrations also give appropriate visual clues for decoding the text for each poem.

Awards

Adventuring with Books: A Booklists for PreK-Grade 6, 12^th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States

Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, 1996; Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP); Commended; United States

Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Third Edition, 2001; National Councils of Teachers of English; United States

Connections

El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros—Children’s Day/Book day

Gather this book of poetry as well as poetry and stories of from other languages and cultures. Be sure to include stories shared orally as many cultures do not have their legends written down.  Read and share them together at a Dia Day event. Invite your foreign language speaking patrons to share poetry, songs, and stories from their culture. If acceptable to those patrons, ask them to share the English translations as well. If possible write them down and create a book to share. Invite children to create illustrations to coincide with the literature of their choice.

Have students take turns reading the poems to each other. Pair ESL students with English speaking students and have them practice together then share their chosen poems with the class.