Manuela's Gift

Manuela's Gift by Kristyn Estes and illustrated by Claire B. Cotts is a great multicultural book about a young woman, Manuela, and her family. They have very little money, and it's hard times for them. Manuela's birthday is soon, and she is very worried that she will receive no gifts, but she soon realizes that her family is what matters. Even though Manuela's Gift was written in 1999, it still pertains to families today and will continue to do so for generations.

Manuela's Gift is a contemporary realistic fiction picturebook. I have written about more of these than I haven't, so I think it's pretty safe to say that these styles of books with realistic illustrations are my favorite children's book. I just love literal adaptation, especially when it involves diverse people and families. I think it paints a more accurate picture for children and allows them to connect better with the realistic fictional story. This coming of age book specifies in family relationships. "There have always been books in which each family member stays in culturally assigned roles" (Galda, Cullinan & Sipe, 2011). This pertains to Manuela's Gift because throughout the book the author describes how Mama will be in the kitchen making tortilla shells, or Abuela will be knitting in her chair, or how Papa works all day. "Manuela, Mama, and Abuela worked in the early morning quiet until the screen door slammed and Papa came inside" (Estes, 1999). On page 235 of our text, Figure 7.1 states that contemporary realistic fiction must:

• The story exemplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction
• A vivid, realistic setting should support the events of the story
• The characteristics are credible and nonstereotypical
• The main characters are multidimensional, and they change and develop over time
• The problems are believable and are solved in realistic, culturally grounded ways
• The intended age group can understand that plot structure
• There is a theme that is applicable to readers' lives, and it is intrinsic to the story
• The dialogue and thoughts of the characters sound natural, with dialect and diction that do not overwhelm the reader

Page 234 also describes the literary elements. The setting is realistic, in a traditional Spanish home with extended family. The characterizations are also accurate to both the culture and individuals as well. The plot, having little to no money, is also believable, as America just dug most of itself out of a major recession, and millions of people were affected by it (myself included!), which connects us to the characters. The theme, as I stated, is both coming of age and family relationships. The style is very much Latino, yet still remains non-stereotypical and nonjudgmental. The illustrations are realistic art style, and page 127 in our text states that fiction picturebok illustrations must: "expand on the story appropriately and do not merely duplicate what is described in the text. Layout and design are visually appealing" (Galda, Cullinan & Sipe, 2011). Together the text and illustrations create a very nice blend of family warmth and love and the struggle to make ends meet. 

 Manuela's Gift is derived for students aged approx. 8-10 years of age. I would ask my students to write a paper about their family traditions, at least 1 page in length, APA writing style. I could also ask my students to bring in artifacts from their heritage, like an arrowhead for example. We could also draw with students' preferred media one image to represent Manuela and her family. My reader response questions would be:

1. Do you or anyone you know live in a traditional Spanish household? What about another heritage? How does that impact your life?
2. Have you ever or do you now live with extended family? Was it different than when they did not live with you? If you've never experienced this, what is your family like?
3. How did Manuela feel at the end of the book? Have you ever felt this way about your family?
4. At one point, Manuela daydreams that the piñata transforms into a horse. Describe a situation in which you wished that something around you would carry you away.

Personally, I feel this book is a great way to exemplify love of those around you. Family is very important, and without them, life would seem close to meaningless. I read this to my toddler (as best I could) and for the time he listened, albeit short amount, he really loved the drawings as he pointed to one of the characters and said "Mimi!" with glee. I can only assume with good intuition that he was reminded of my mother when he saw Abuela in the kitchen on that particular page. If it is a hit with my son, I'm sure my future students will love it!

References

        Estes, K. (1999). Manuela's gift. (1st ed.). San Fransisco, CA: Chronicle Books. 

       Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the Child. (7th ed., pp. 206-228). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.