A Song of Frutas

K-Gr 3–A young girl visits her abuelo in Cuba and accompanies him as he sells delicious frutas, calling out in song and inviting everyone they pass to come and have a look. Many pregoneros, singing vendors, call out in song together, their voices mixing and creating a beautiful melody that travels through the streets, carrying with it requests for candies, yams, tamales, and more. When the new year arrives, the young narrator loves to help Abuelo sell the grapes that people will use to make one wish for every month of the new year. Although the trips come to an end, and it is difficult for the young narrator and her family to return home, she takes comfort in knowing that she and Abuelo can still exchange letters full of love. Bright, colorful spreads share the beauty and vibrancy of the streets of Cuba and the joy shared by the family. Delightful verses sprinkled with Spanish express the girl’s love of family and home, as well as her longing for a time when seeing family will not be so difficult. An author’s note discusses the use of Spanish in the text, travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States, the history of pregoneros, and the tradition of eating grapes on New Year’s Eve.