Roses for Isabella

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