Too Many Tamales

Multicultural Narrative Fiction

Too Many Tamales was written by Gary Soto and illustrated

by Ed Martinez.  This wonderful book was full of excitement and

surprises and teaches children a very important message about

honesty and forgiveness.

The story begins during a Christmas gathering with many 

relatives celebrating.  Maria is enjoying helping her mother make

tamales and decides to try on her diamond ring that she has so

so admired.  The ring slips off Maria's finger into the bowl of masa!  The tamales are finally made and placed into large pot and cooked.

Once Maria realizes the ring is gone and must be in one of the tamales, she decides the tamales must to eaten to find the ring, so she and her cousins eat the entire batch to discover they did not find it!  Her conscience tells her to admit what happened to her mother, only to find she is wearing the ring!  Maria feels terrible, but the ending is very lighthearted as she is forgiven with the entire family joining in to make a second batch of tamales! 

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, almost sparkling, even though there is a "dimness" on every page. The illustrator captured the expressions of the children and adults in an amazing way!  The reader can "feel" the happiness, sadness, worry and excitement on every page of the story.  

I so enjoyed this book as it was very family-oriented which is so near and dear to my heart.  I loved the range of emotions throughout the story and it taught a great lesson to children--everyone makes mistakes, but we will be forgiven and honesty is always best!

This story is geared to children ranging from preschool through 1st grade.  I feel children will love to wonder what will happen next and so love the large pictures as they really come to life!  Teachers can incorporate a question and answer activity while reading the story (will the ring be found, will mom be angry?, etc.).  After the story is read, discuss it with the children asking each child to respond, if they feel comfortable.

• Would you have tried on your mother's ring, if you thought she wouldn't find out?
• What have you done that wasn't honest and what was the outcome?
• When you have done something wrong and how did you feel?
• Were you forgiven after you apologized and how did that make you feel?

Class Activities:

1. Draw a picture of yourself doing something wrong and show your expression (for preschoolers, ask them to draw their face only).
2. During Circle Time, ask children about their holiday traditions (who visits, what kind of food is prepared, do they help out in the kitchen?).

This is a Junior Library Guild book and classified as outstanding for primary age children.  I think this is a wonderful book to have in the classroom library based on the message, content and that a very meaningful discussion can be enjoyed by everyone.  I also feel the teacher should include her responses, prior to asking the children questions, as it tells them that even adults make mistakes!  Additionally, if children are hesitant about sharing their thoughts, the teacher is a great icebreaker! 

Other outstanding books by Gary Soto:

• Baseball in April
• Living Up the Street

Reference

Soto, G. (1993). Too Many Tamales. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.