Overview
Uncle Toms looks after Carlos, whose hard-working parents get home late. He captivates his nephew with stories of the Aztec gods, but troubles him with his bad temper. Their relationship is sometimes stormy, until the day that they discover that they both struggle with English, and make a pact. Carlos will help his uncle with Englishthe source of his grouchinessand Uncle Toms will teach him more stories, but in Spanish. Theyll know twice as much as everyone else!Color-drenched illustrations by a Mexican illustrator lead us into the world of Carlos and Uncle Toms.
After living in Mexico for fifteen years, Tony Johnston was moved to write this story when she returned to the United States and saw the plight of immigrants. She has written many books for children; her most recent books are The Barn Owls, and An Old Shell: Poems of the Galpagos (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). She lives in San Marino, California.
Author Biography: Fabricio Vanden Broeck has illustrated many books for children, for publishers in the United States and in Mexico. Among his works are The Witchs Face by Eric Kimmel (Holiday House), and Torch Fishing with the Sun by Laura E. Williams (Boyds Mills Press). He lives in Mexico City.
Carlos tries to help his uncle, who is frustrated and angry at his inability to speak English, adjust to their new home in Los Angeles.
Synopsis
Uncle Toms looks after Carlos, whose hard-working parents get home late. He captivates his nephew with stories of the Aztec gods, but troubles him with his bad temper. Their relationship is sometimes stormy, until the day that they discover that they both struggle with English, and make a pact. Carlos will help his uncle with Englishthe source of his grouchinessand Uncle Toms will teach him more stories, but in Spanish. Theyll know twice as much as everyone else!
Color-drenched illustrations by a Mexican illustrator lead us into the world of Carlos and Uncle Toms.
After living in Mexico for fifteen years, Tony Johnston was moved to write this story when she returned to the United States and saw the plight of immigrants. She has written many books for children; her most recent books are The Barn Owls, and An Old Shell: Poems of the Galpagos (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). She lives in San Marino, California.
Author Biography: Fabricio Vanden Broeck has illustrated many books for children, for publishers in the United States and in Mexico. Among his works are The Witchs Face by Eric Kimmel (Holiday House), and Torch Fishing with the Sun by Laura E. Williams (Boyds Mills Press). He lives in Mexico City.
Publishers Weekly
The title refers to Carlos's nickname for his grumpy uncle, who admits he is too afraid to learn "el Blah-Blah," or English. But the man's outlook turns sunny when he and Carlos make a deal: Carlos will teach him English and his uncle will teach him the old stories of Mexico-in Spanish. Ages 5-9. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
The title refers to Carlos's nickname for his grumpy uncle, who admits he is too afraid to learn "el Blah-Blah," or English. But the man's outlook turns sunny when he and Carlos make a deal: Carlos will teach him English and his uncle will teach him the old stories of Mexico-in Spanish. Ages 5-9. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.From The Critics
Carlos secretly calls Tio Tomas "Uncle Rain Cloud" because his uncle is so grouchy all the time. Thomas is especially so when they go to the supermarket and Carlos must translate for him. This immigrant family must bravely face a new culture together, especially when learning English which Tio Tomas calls "el Blah-Blah." This heartfelt story has a moving ending and a pronunciation guide so anyone can tackle the names of the tongue-twister gods from Mexico. 2001, Charlesbridge Publishing, $15.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: C. Leonard-Schmidling SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)Children's Literature
When Carlos and his family move to Los Angeles from Mexico, his uncle mutters angrily about their new city and the English language he calls "el Blah Blah." Uncle Tomas seems content only when telling Mexican legends in the evening. Author Tony Johnston sensitively explores family and cultural tensions in Uncle Rain Cloud. When the boy tells of his daily struggles in school, the grouchy man quietly realizes that "one finds courage in many places. Even in the third grade." The ending is marked by humor and compassion as the boy and uncle continue to wrestle with the English language—but with a new appreciation of one another. Mexican artist Fabricio VandenBroeck uses color and shadow to wonderful effect. 2001, Talewinds/Charlesbridge,— Mary Quattlebaum