Rainbow Tulip

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat. 1999. Rainbow Tulip. Ill. by Elizabeth Sayles. New York: Viking. ISBN 0670872911

PLOT SUMMARY

Stella is a Mexican-American girl who feels torn between two worlds.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Pat Mora is well-known for delivering culturally accurate stories and Rainbow Tulip does not deviate from this standard.  Stella, known as Estelita at home, is a young girl who feels different than the other children in her class.  Stella looks different than the other children and speaks a different language at home.  Her mother dresses differently than the other students’ mothers.  As the school May parade celebration approaches, Estelita/Stella embraces these differences.  Throughout this story, Mora celebrates diversity and presents the theme that being different can be a good thing.

Although this is a beautiful story and all readers will be able to appreciate it, young immigrant girls will be able to identify with the main character, Estelita/Stella, the most.  This group will understand the feeling of being surrounded by one culture at home, and another in public.  Although Estelita/Stella is proud of her different rainbow costume, she feels “quiet as a snail inside.”  This feeling especially will be familiar to many readers. 

Mora sprinkles Spanish phrases throughout this story.  Most of the words will familiar to readers, such as mamá or sí.  Words that may be unfamiliar, like abrazo, are translated within the text.  As Mora describes Estelita’s parents, her descriptions make them seem very reserved.  Estelit’s mother wears dark, traditional clothing.  Mora writes:

“My mother does not wear colors that sing and dance. My mother likes to wear black, brown, gray, sometimes light blue.  My mother is quiet like her colors.”

Estelita/Stella expresses embarrassment that her mother does not speak English or dress like the other mothers.  Estelita/Stella wishes that her mother “looked like the other mothers with their makeup and short dresses.” 

The oil-pastel illustrations in this story are soft and bright.  Sayles expresses emotion through her illustrations by depicting different postures and facial expressions.  Sayles has also created culturally accurate illustrations by using appropriate skin tones and hair colors.

At the end of this story, Mora has included a brief author’s note.  In this note, she reveals that Rainbow Tulip is based on her mother’s experiences in a May parade in El Paso, Texas during the 1920s.  Mora also expresses the importance of celebrating family heritage within her comments.

Rainbow Tulip is suggested for students in grades 3-6.  Although they may not understand some of the deeper implications of this story, younger readers will enjoy this story and accompanying illustrations.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist: “What many immigrant kids will enjoy is the bicultural experience. The scenarios in words and soft-toned pictures show the warm, loving family and also the fun and success at school. At first, the child is ashamed of her quiet, old-fashioned mother, but her parents keep a piece of Mexico at home, and Estelita/Stella comes to value her dual heritage, even though it is hard to be different.”

Library Journal: “Based on a story from the author's mother's childhood, and perfectly extended by soft, warm pastel drawings framed in white, this tale of family love and support crosses cultural boundaries and may remind youngsters of times when their families made all the difference.”

Kirkus Review: “Sayles's softly colored illustrations, by turns wistful and vibrant, capture the times and the tone as a young child finds her place in her parents' new country.”

CONNECTIONS

The following picture books from Pat Mora offer similar cultural themes:

Pat Mora. A Birthday Basket for Tía. ISBN 0689813287

Pat Mora. Pablo’s Tree. ISBN 0027674010