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sakusha's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A child steals her mother’s ring, then tries to hide the evidence. When she finds out the ring might be in the food, instead of confessing to her mother, she makes her siblings search for the ring by eating all the food, making a big mess on the floor. Then when the ring still isn't found, the girl finally confesses. The mother doesn't punish the child for trying to steal, hiding the evidence, making a mess, or forcing her siblings to eat all the food. Instead, the mother cheerfully makes another huge batch of tamales. This teaches young readers that they should steal and lie and expect nothing bad to happen when they are caught. A parent not punishing a child for this is asking for similar behavior in the future. So don't be surprised when your kid starts robbing stores and stealing bigger things like cars. You have the choice to teach your child right from wrong, that there are consequences for actions. Give them no consequences, and the child will have no motivation to have good behavior. Stealing is a crime. If you wouldnt want it done to you, teach your kids not to do it to others.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Illustrated by Ed Martinez
Maria’s family is getting ready for Christmas. When her mother goes to answer the phone, Maria gives into temptation and tries on her mother’s diamond ring. It’s so sparkly and she feels like a princess! She doesn’t notice that it has slipped off her finger and into the masa she is kneading.
There are several things about this story that I really like. First, the illustrations clearly show that the family lives in a northern climate where it snows for Christmas. Theirs is a lovely home with wreaths in the windows, and a large Christmas tree. Maria’s bedroom is every little girl’s dream. I also like the closeness of the family – not just the immediate nuclear family of Maria and her parents, but the extended family including grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. And I like Maria’s character. When she realizes what must have happened to the ring, Maria organizes her cousins to try to solve the problem themselves. She still goes to her mother to confess and she learns her lesson.
It’s a lovely story that parents and children – whether Hispanic or not – will enjoy.
Maria’s family is getting ready for Christmas. When her mother goes to answer the phone, Maria gives into temptation and tries on her mother’s diamond ring. It’s so sparkly and she feels like a princess! She doesn’t notice that it has slipped off her finger and into the masa she is kneading.
There are several things about this story that I really like. First, the illustrations clearly show that the family lives in a northern climate where it snows for Christmas. Theirs is a lovely home with wreaths in the windows, and a large Christmas tree. Maria’s bedroom is every little girl’s dream. I also like the closeness of the family – not just the immediate nuclear family of Maria and her parents, but the extended family including grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. And I like Maria’s character. When she realizes what must have happened to the ring, Maria organizes her cousins to try to solve the problem themselves. She still goes to her mother to confess and she learns her lesson.
It’s a lovely story that parents and children – whether Hispanic or not – will enjoy.
dicefab's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
story_thief's review against another edition
5.0
I once read this book to a group of 2nd graders as part of my middle school's Gifted and Talented program. When I asked if eating so many tamales was a good idea, the entire class and the teacher said "No!", except for the one little girl sitting at the front and center of the carpet. She said, enthusiastically, "Yes!" When I asked her why she thought that was a good idea, she said, "Because tamales are good!" That's entirely true.
My school district is made up almost entirely of Hispanic students and teachers, so this book did not expose them to another culture but instead allowed them to see themselves in a picture book.
For those of you thinking that a girl and her cousins cannot possibly eat 24 tamales, I can assure you that I regularly made it through 6 by myself when I was 6. They can do it. If you think that they destroyed the first batch, I'll let you know that families usually make a second batch, and it is always better than the first.
My school district is made up almost entirely of Hispanic students and teachers, so this book did not expose them to another culture but instead allowed them to see themselves in a picture book.
For those of you thinking that a girl and her cousins cannot possibly eat 24 tamales, I can assure you that I regularly made it through 6 by myself when I was 6. They can do it. If you think that they destroyed the first batch, I'll let you know that families usually make a second batch, and it is always better than the first.
ironicallylovely's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readingsensei's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingdoggo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
book_slayer's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jordanmae23's review against another edition
5.0
I love this classic-plot line story that exhibits a Hispanic family dynamic on Christmas Eve. When Maria tries on her mother's diamond ring while making Tamales and loses it, the rest of the family's kids help her find it by eating all of the tamales. In the end, Marie is not in trouble but rather the family positively sets to make more tamales.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
When Maria thinks she dropped her mother's diamond ring in the masa while making tamales, there's only one thing for her and her cousins to do: eat them.