Confetti: Poems for Children by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez

 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat. (1996). Confetti: Poems for children. (Illus. by E. O. Sanchez) New York: Lee & Low Books, Incorporated.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Confetti is a collection of poems written for children by author Pat Mora and illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez. This specific collection focuses on nature and animals, as well as different landscapes that might be seen in Mexico and the southwest United States. The poems scattered throughout the book, while written primarily in English, incorporate a good amount of Spanish vocabulary as well. The illustrations accompanying each poem are vivid and full of color, with many of the animals and landscapes described by Mora included. 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The first thing that I was drawn to in this collection by Pat Mora were the colorful pictures and happy, cheerful expressions on so many of the characters faces. Even a non-reader would be drawn to this book if it were sitting on a shelf due to its positive energy and life-like images throughout. Sanchez brings these poems to life, and the combination of bright, happy colors and southwestern landscapes really highlight the expressive poems crafted by Mora. Right from "Sun Song," the first poem of the collection, we see warm colors that radiate happiness and good feelings. We see characters in their natural element, whether they are baking, working, or spending time with their abuelita, but each character smiles, no matter what else is happening in the picture. 

I felt that the usage of Spanish throughout was adequate for the types of readers that would gravitate towards this book. There were poems that only had a word or two of Spanish, which seems somewhat different than these types of collections that have been published more recently. I feel that many books that intertwine English and Spanish in a similar fashion as Confetti typically include more Spanish vocabulary in their poems. The English really felt like it dominated these poems, and I do not think I would consider this a bilingual book, the way one might consider another Mora title like Gracias Thanks. And maybe the intention of this book was to introduce Spanish vocabulary to an English speaking child. I just feel that if this book were written today, there might be more Spanish terms, or even whole lines and stanzas, intertwined with the English. 

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

"This collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read...A good choice for choral reading or for reading aloud."
--Booklist

"Narrative poems in free verse capture the rhythms and uniqueness of the Southwest and its culture as seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl...A welcome addition."
--School Library Journal

"There is a great deal of imaginative personification, which makes it fun and easy for children to use their own imagination. The poems, which include repeated lines, are easy for children to read and comprehend."
--Oneota Reading Journal

E. CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed this book might also enjoy: 

George, Katherine. Old elm speaks: Tree poems. ISBN 0618752420.

Pena, Matt de la. Last stop on market street. ISBN 9780399257742.

Schertle, Alice. Button up!: Wrinkled rhymes. ISBN 0544022696.