Isla

By Arthur Dorros

Book Overview

This soaring story takes readers on a fantastic journey set in the same world and warm relationship as Arthur Dorros's award-winning Abuela

Rosalba is going on an imaginary journey to the Caribbean island where her grandmother grew up. Through her abuela's eyes and stories, Rosalba visits with relatives who still live on la isla and sees the beautiful terrain of the island--from the lush, tropical rain forest to the bustling old city. Along the way Rosalba and her grandmother visit a busy fruit market, then cool off with a swim in the turquoise sea filled with colorful fish. Their magical trip is brought to life by Elisa Kleven's shimmering collage artwork.

Also available in a Spanish-language edition (ISBN: 978-0-14-056541-6)

"Dorros's language is rich and magical--readers fly to la isla, too. Kleven's art is whimsical and quiltlike, crowded with sweet things and surprises."--School Library Journal

"Vivid illustrations with myriad details bring the tropical scenes to life, and the well-chosen Spanish words and phrases are easily understood. Glossary."--Horn Book

"The little girl and her grandmother, first seen flying over New York City in Abuela (1991), take off on another imaginary flight, this time to the Caribbean island where Abuela grew up. Isla is a tropical treasure."--Booklist

Notable Book, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council
Commended Book, Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs
Children's Book of the Year, Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Notable Children's Book, National Council of Teachers of English

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140565051
• ISBN13: 9780140565058
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.2" x 10.2"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Beautiful

My daughter has loved this book since she was one. Then, she pored over the illustrations, she still does. There are always new things to see in each picture and the story is wonderful too. Highly recommended!

Rich & colorful book to read with young children

My almost 4 year old son LOVES this book and even my 2 year old will sit through it. We are trying to get our boys to use more Spanish (mixed heritage) and this is a great way to do that. Every page is full of brilliant Latin colors; we could stare at the pages and be happy. The language is rich and poetic- it breathes magic (or magica). It is mostly in English, but the Spanish words and phrases are put in a way that reader and child can understand them. There's even a glossary in the back so you can know for sure what the words mean and how to pronounce them correctly. It's even forcing me to remember that high school Spanish. Beautiful book.

Beautiful, colorful detail

I love reading this to my 3-year old daughter. The pictures are so colorful and full of detail. The language and tone is so fine. The author slips in and out of the two languages, Spanish and English so easily. It is the best way to read a story. It is fantastic for my daughter's imagination. She is flying just like Rosalba, just like we all did when we were young. We also love her other book "Abuela".

Great for a Multicultural Lesson

This book is wonderful. As I read this book to my second graders. They feel like they are flying and actually doing what the characters are doing. They really get into the book

Fun mixture of English and Spanish that reads very lyrically

I read this book and the author's other children's book (Abuela) with my daughters (ages 2 and 4) who both enjoyed them immensely. Dorros does a great job of mixing the Spanish phrases in and repeating words in both English and Spanish that the story flows nicely and children can pick up some Spanish very naturally along the way. The pictures are very fun as well. I highly recommend it, in fact I came here to look for more books by the same author but unfortunately, didn't find any. I hope he has more in the works, we love them!