Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America

     Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America is a book formed of collaborative poetry. Published in 2002, it is considered a modern multicultural book. It is respectful and mindful of the Latin American heritage and culture, and includes the finest representational poems they could find! The illustrations are great, and I personally love this book and can't wait to share it!
    My personal favorite is "The Key" written by Humberto Ak'abal from Guatemala.

"The key was in her possession;
that was her habit.

And grandma Saq'kil,
some days before leaving us,
squeezed a key
in her hand

What did she keep in her chest?

The last day 
her hand relaxed
and she let it fall.

From the chest flew
a golden butterfly" (Lee & Yockteng, 2002). 

     This is my favorite because it relays a message that the elderly are so wise, and so generous. Our older family members are just as important as any other member, and should be treated as such. I feel that my own grandmother's heart is made from gold, just as grandma Saq'kil's was. Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America is full of poems as meaningful as "The Key", and is really very enjoyable.
    On page 24 in Literature and the Child, the criteria for poetry is very clear. The text should be compact with elegant language and the illustrations should go beyond the surface of the poem's meaning. Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America certainly does that, especially on page 43 with a snake with wings, a man with an elongated neck, and an exaggerated feast will entice any reader! Again on page 144 we are given a checklist for poetry.

Individual poetry pieces

•  Should include interesting and easily comprehensible works
• Sould use creative syntax that utilizes poetic devices effectively
• Easy to follow structure

Anthologies should demonstrate

•  Careful consideration of characteristic poetry
•  Logical arrangement of poems
•  A wide array of styles of poems

   While there aren't many illustrations aside from the book jacket/cover, there are a few pictures randomly placed throughout the book that relates to certain poems. They have soft textures, and used a watercolor medium that provides the reader with a free flowing and carefree attitude. The colors are saturated and bold, but not so bold so as to draw attention away from the poem. The design of the pictures are subtle and small, generally placed in a corner on the pages away from the text, yet they enhance the poem in a way that brings readers to better understand the poem. For example, the poem "Castles" has a small little castle painted above the title, which intrigues the browser to read on. When the poems change themes, like from magic to the beach, vivid illustrations paint an impressionistic yet exaggerated picture that prepares the reader to dive on in!
    I would introduce Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America to students approximately ages of 7-10. It is flexible in that younger and more advanced readers alike can enjoy this book, and I am especially fond that younger readers can enjoy it because I am very excited to share it during Latin Heritage Month in October. After reading some of these poems, around three, I could ask my first grade students to tell me which of the three they read was their favorite and why, then draw a picture of what their favorite poem was about. This book could inspire us to do something more for Hispanic Heritage Month, like find songs from Latin America and share them with the class! These would be three great ideas that my first grade students to be assigned. My reader response questions would be:

1. Read three poems from the book. Which was your favorite and why?
2. Which was your least favorite and why?
3. How were the poems you read alike, and how were they different?
4. Do any of the poems you read remind you of your life and your family? How so?

    

References

     Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the Child. (7th ed., pp. 24 - 165). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.   
      Lee, C., & Yockteng, R. (2002). Messengers of Rain and Other Poems from Latin America. (1st ed., p. 59). Berkely, CA: Groundwood Books.