Parents' Guide to

A Song of Frutas

By Monica Encarnacion, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Poetic street vendor tale highlights connection to roots.

Book Margarita Engle Picture Book 2021
A Song of Frutas Poster Image

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What's the Story?

A SONG OF FRUTAS is a relatable story about a Cuban American girl who shares a strong bond with her Cuban abuelo, regardless of the distance between them. The young girl recalls favorite moments from her visits to Cuba, when Abuelo pushes his fruit cart and together they sing out the names of the fruit he sells: “mango, limón, coco, melón, naranja, toronja, plátano, piña.” Their happy voices reach far, and invite an entire neighborhood to come and purchase their goods. Eventually, other street vendors join in, singing out as they sell their own tasty treats: tamales, fragrant herbs, roasted peanuts, chocolates, candies and more. The louder the other vendors call out, the louder Abuelo must sing. Illustrator Sara Palacios' vibrant illustrations beautifully capture the lively scene. The little girl tells readers that her "favorite visits to Abuelo are on the eve of el año nuevo" when people buy 12 grapes and make a wish, one for each month of the new year. Her wish as she eats her final grape "is always for friendship between countries" and for the chance for families like hers to visit each other freely. She goes on to tell us that every song she hears on New Year's Eve reminds her that she'll soon return home -- to Cuba. In the meantime, she keeps her connection with Abuelo alive via letters and "a hug made of words."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Colorful illustrations and short sentences draw readers in and make us want to sing along, our voices like bridges connecting us to one another. A Song of Frutas is a sweet story, poetic and filled with colorful moments. It celebrates shared moments etched in our memories and recalls what some hold most dear -- family. The colorful characters help illustrate a cultural setting that becomes part of the young girl's emotional journey to remain connected to her far away family and her cultural roots. illustrator Sara Palacios' detailed and playful illustrations beautifully depict diversity and make the story relatable to a wide audience. Each page displays a varied spectrum of brown skin shades that can prompt young readers to appreciate differences and find beauty within their own uniqueness. It's a story that can also speak to kids whose families don't look like everyone else's. At the end of the book, the author’s note explains more about los pregoneros (street vendors who cry out to announce their wares) and shares details about the effects of travel restrictions on Cuban and Cuban American families. Author Margarita Engle also explains why she chose to use Spanglish in this text and talks about the tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve.

Kids who are first-generation American will identify with the main character's experiences, her strong longing for home, her desire to see far away family, and her hope for a future when they can all be together again.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how families stay connected even when they are far apart. In A Song of Frutas, the little girl and her grandfather live far apart but find a special way to communicate. If you have family members that live far away, how do you communicate when you cannot see each other?

  • One of the little girl's wishes is for "friendship between countries." What does she mean by this? Why is this important to her? How would you feel if you could not visit the family and friends you love?

  • The little girl describes a New Year's tradition with uvas (grapes). What traditions do you celebrate, especially around the New Year?

  • Who are some of the people that make up your community? What local shops or street vendors do you like to visit? How do they help you or your community?

Book Details

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