Too Many Tamales

Too Many Tamales is a contemporary realistic children's book, intended for children in grades K-2. The story was written by Gary Soto and illustrated by Ed Martinez in 1992. Soto does an superb job defining the conflict and characterization. He also helps children explore differences in culture and provides a positive contribution the Hispanic community. Martinez's illustrations are artistically excellent. The design and colors are very appropriate for the story. He also helps enhance characterization with his illustrations by showing us real reactions and conflict.

Too May Tamales is the story of a little girl named Maria and her family around Christmas time. Maria is helping her mother make Tamales for Christmas dinner and when her mother leaves the room, Maria decides to try on her mother's wedding ring. Soon after Maria's family arrives and while she's hanging out with her cousins, she realizes that she lost her mother's wedding ring. Maria panics and believes the ring is somewhere in the tamales, so her and her cousins begin eating the tamales looking for something crunchy. When they finally got to the last tamale and still could not find the ring, Maria confessed to her mother. But then she realized the ring was never lost at all, but on her mother's finger the entire time. Maria felt sad about the situation, but her family showed her mistakes happen and worked together to make some more tamales.

This book is great for children because it helps them learn about Hispanic traditions and that everyone celebrates Christmas differently. It also teaches children not to panic and try to cover up problems, but to tell the truth because that it so much easier. Children will have an easy time relating to this book because they all have lost something important or tried to cover up a mistake. And this book shows them that mistakes happen, but you have to be honest about your mistake and receive help to fix it.

Discussion Questions:

• If you were Maria, what would you have done once you first noticed the ring was missing?

• Why did the pearl necklace remind Maria of the ring?

• How do you think Maria's mother found the ring?

• What does the word "kneaded" mean?

• How was Maria acting grown up?

• What lesson did Maria learn?

Motivational Activity:

• Have students think of a time when they did something wrong and had to tell the truth. Then have the students either act out the situation or draw a picture illustrating the situation. Allow for the rest of the students to help that student try and figure out what other options they had and which one was the best. This teaches students that their not that different from Maria and that the best option is always the truth.

If you enjoyed this book, check out some other books by Gary Soto
Some Examples:

• Baseball in April
• Chato and the Party Animals
• A Summer Life
• Taking Sides
• The Skirt
• My Little Car

Soto, G., & Martinez, E. (1992). Too many tamales. New York: Putnam







 Harcourt Publishing Company.