Review of DOÑA FLOR: A TALL TALE ABOUT A GIANT WOMAN WITH A GREAT BIG HEART

Mora, Pat. Raul Colón (Ill.) 2005. DOÑA FLOR: A TALL TALE ABOUT A GIANT WOMAN WITH A GREAT BIG HEART. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0-375-82337-4

PLOT SUMMARY
Doña Flor, as the title suggests, is a large woman. So large that she hugs the wind, cradles livestock in her arms, and makes tortillas so big the town’s children use them as rafts. Not only is she large, this kind-hearted woman cares for her fellow townspeople. When they are frightened that a giant puma will attack the pueblo, Doña Flor tries everything to allay their fears and cheer them up. She reads stories to the children, scratches a new riverbed with her thumb, and shares the giant fruits of her garden. It is not until Doña Flor solves the mystery of the puma that the townspeople are able to return to their lives of peace and harmony.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This story offers a plethora of cultural markers. Both the text and illustrations support the conveyance of the Hispanic culture. The interlingualism and illustrations depict a rural adobe pueblo. Through the use of language and setting, Pat Mora shares a tale of Doña Flor and her adventure with the giant puma.

The language used in this story is primarily English. However, there are Spanish phrases and terms peppered throughout. This use of interlingualism adds to the Hispanic flavor of the story. Mora chooses not to utilize a glossary for this book. However, the context surrounding each term is sufficient for full comprehension for even those with no Spanish-speaking abilities. “She built her own house, una casa big as a mountain….” The title character’s name, Flor, is subtly explained, “…she sang to her sweet baby, her sweet flower, …Flor.” Mora also uses Spanish terms which are easily recognized such as pueblo, tortilla, and amigo.

Raul Colón’s illustrations provide cultural information regarding both characters and setting. While of unusual stature, Doña Flor’s hair, skin tone, and facial features are authentically Hispanic. Her black hair is worn in a traditional braid wrapped around her head, the skin tone of the townspeople is a tanish brown, and Doña Flor has a strong nose and round face. Each characteristic in isolation could depict any number of ethnicities. However, when used in concert the resulting vision is of a clearly Hispanic community.

The illustrations reveal architecture which is characteristic of the southwestern U.S. and other desert or dry environments. The village is populated with flat-roofed adobe houses and buildings. Some of the homes are built into a hillside, typical in areas which require protection from the heat and other elements. This type of architecture is customary in some Hispanic communities of the southwestern United States.

While this tall tale could be generalized to many cultures, the interlingual text as well as the water color and etched illustrations place DOÑA FLOR: A TALL TALE ABOUT A GIANT WOMAN WITH A GREAT BIG HEART distinctly into the genre of Hispanic culture. Mora and Colón team up to create an Hispanic folktale with a maternal heroine whom we should all be so lucky to know.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
The plot is weak (a dangerous puma turns out to be harmless), but the cultural context is rewarding, as are the paintings, created with an intriguing combination of watercolor washes, etching, and colored and litho pencils. (Horn Book)
“ Colón’s gorgeous illustrations (with his round, swirling scratchboard style in warm, buttery colors) steal the show here, as the pleasantly rhythmic but overly meandering tall tale isn't arresting enough plot-wise to avoid bogging down in its heaps of hyperbole.” (Kirkus Review)

Reviews obtained from Follett Library Resources and accessed at:
http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID=c211074453f514ff63ced2a0fe154f24

CONNECTIONS
Other tall tales for children:
Grambling, Lois G. ABIGAIL MUCHMORE: AN ORIGINAL TALE, ISBN 978-0-7614-5116-7
Schnetzler, Pattie L WIDDERMAKER, ISBN 978-0-87614-647-7
Rossi, Joyce. EL CHAPARRON TORENCIAL, ISBN 978-0-87358-728-0

Other books by Pat Mora for K-3 readers:
A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA, ISBN 978-0-689-81328-3
MARIMBA! ANIMALES FROM A TO Z, ISBN 978-0-618-19453-7
YUM! MMMM! QUE RICO! AMERICAS’ SPROUTINGS, ISBN 978-1-58430-271-1