A Mango in the Hand: A Story Told Through Proverbs

by Antonio Sacre, Sebastià Serra Bonilla (Illustrator)

Author Antonio Sacre and illustrator Sebastià Serra’s picture book A Mango in the Hand is a touching, funny family story inspired by proverbs.

Francisco is finally old enough to journey to the mango grove all by himself to gather the mangoes for a special dinner. But bees swarm the fruit, and Francisco has trouble picking them from the tree. He returns to his father several times, and each time his father shares a different proverb to inspire Francisco to continue trying. “ Querer es poder. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Finally, Francisco is able to gather some mangoes, and on his way home he stops to visit his uncle, grandmother, and aunt. Francisco shares his mangoes with them, and by the time he gets home he no longer has any! “ Es mejor dar que recibir. Sometimes it’s better to give than to receive.”

Luckily for Francisco, his generosity does not go unnoticed. “ Amor con amor se paga. Love is repaid with love.”

Readers are sure to be charmed by this humorous story about problem solving and sharing. The book includes a glossary of Spanish words.

“A ‘story told through proverbs’ could easily go terribly wrong, but this sweet tale succeeds beautifully. This smoothly written family story is filled with warmth and humor and incorporates a blending of well-placed proverbs in both Spanish and English to drive the story’s themes. Digitally colored pencil-and-ink cartoon drawings reflect the lush greens of summertime and outdoor living in this intergenerational barrio.” — Kirkus Reviews
<!--? prefix = o ns = "" /-->

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature, Cultural, Childrens, Poetry, Family, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Antonio Sacre born in Boston to a Cuban father and Irish-American mother, is a bilingual storyteller, author, and solo performance artist, based in Los Angeles. He earned a BA in English from Boston College and an MA in Theater Arts from Northwestern University. He has performed at the National Book Festival, at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, the National Storytelling Festival, and museums, schools, libraries, and festivals internationally. Called “a charismatic, empathetic presence” by Chicago Tribune, his stories have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and on National Public Radio.

https://www.facebook.com/AntonioSacre...

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francisco wakes up to the sweet smell of café con leche on his saint day. His papa asks him what he wants for dessert later that night to celebrate the feast day and Francisco replies, “Some delicious mangos, right from the tree!” Francisco is finally old enough to go pick the mangos from the mango tree all by himself but he runs into some problems along the way. When he returns to his papa time after time unsuccessful in his task, his papa shares some encouraging words (in the form of proverbs) to inspire Francisco. Through perseverance and a little help from his papa’s proverbs, Francisco soon had a hat full of red, juicy mangos! On his way home he does something with mangos that you would not expect. Children and adults alike will enjoy reading this book that reminds us all that “nothing bad happens that good doesn’t come of it.”

This realistic fiction picture book, found on the Database of Awards Winning Children’s Literature, would be a perfect read aloud at home or in the classroom for children ages 5 - 7 years old. The bright, colorful illustrations are culturally authentic and span almost the entire page transporting readers into the story. The story is told mostly in English with culturally authentic words such as café con leche, ropa vieja, and Abuela in Spanish. The author, Antonio Sacre, also highlights Spanish conversations in the book through exchanges between Francisco and his father and other characters. Longer sentences in the conversation our first written in Spanish and followed by the English translation. Spanish words that were not immediately translated are reference through pictures clues and in the glossary in the back of the book. This book would be great in a primary classroom during social science units about diverse cultures and traditions in families or during a fiction unit to teach the author’s message. This will definitely be a book that will be read again and again by me and students for years to come!

[Kelly]

It was a fun mixed English/Spanish book with proverbs but direct translations from Spanish. I wish it put the equivalent English proverbs at the end. I loved the actual story part. It had two conflicts in it but didn't seem overwhelming. A great read.

[Mrs.Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story of a boy who makes multiple attempts to gather mangos for his party and the funny mishaps he encounters along the way. Sacre knows how to capture an audience with his humor and beautifully weave in lessons he's learned from his family and Cuban culture.

[Lumi Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and laughed with this book. Francisco and those darn bees! It brought me back to my childhood when I lived in Dominican Republic and I would climb the mango trees in my back yard and climb to the roof of my uncles house so I could eat the mangos from the mango tree which branches hovered over. It was wonderful. I still do it when I go visit! The only thing is that I don't remember getting stung or being chased by bees! I knew I was going to be in love with the book as soon as the story began with Francisco waking up to the smell of café con leche, that's what my house smells like every morning when one wakes up. Did I mention that the illustration was incredible as well.

[Autumn McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The combination of English and Spanish was effectively integrated in this book that it wasn't too difficult to understand the phrases in Spanish! I think this book is great for kids who have family at home you speak Spanish and for kids who are learning Spanish themselves.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story itself as it was a sweet story about a boy trying to do something by himself, learning to take advice from others and to be resourceful and patient, as well as showing compassion and generosity to others.

[Samantha Mozes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multicultural; 2011.

This is really cool - not only does this story incorporate Spanish into the story and centers around a different culture, but it also includes proverbs! This could be a great introductory lesson into something like this for children - and is inclusive to boot!

[Tommy Kiedis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever. Colorful. Instructive.

Our grandkids introduced me to A Mango In The Hand. I am so glad they did. A young boy, Francisco, learns about love, service, and the power of sharing as he makes a fruitful trip to the Mango Tree.

Get this book. Antonio Sacre cleverly blends colorful characters and Cuban proverbs into an instructive story perfect for children -- and those who read to them!

Serra Sebastia's illustrations are fabulous!

For an added treat, watch Antonio Sacre tell this tale to a group of children.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francisco learns about persistence, generosity, and thinking the best of others as he battles the bees and makes a plan for picking mangos.

Proverbs throughout are in Spanish, but immediately translated.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I feel like using the term "Proverbs" makes it sound religious when it's just normal sayings/adages. (Not that that's not exactly what proverbs are, of course.)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The proverbs were OK, the lesson the boy learned was much more important.

[Assja Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book title caught my attention. Key word of old wisdoms of the past, “Tell me whom you walk, and I tell you who you are.”

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mango in the Hand has beautiful color illustrations and a story that has great lessons for all. I enjoyed the proverbs woven into the fabric of the story.

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet book.

[OnceUponALibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One could read this multiple times with kids and get more specific about all of the proverbs each time- lots to talk about in this cute story of a boy trying his best to complete a challenge but showing his generous character in the end.

[Jami Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francisco is finally old enough to go gather mangos on his own for his family dinner. He is so excited, but when he arrives at the mango tree, he encounters some difficulties. Each time he returns home for help, his father encourages him to go back and try again. Finally, Francisco manages to gather mangos only to give them all away to relatives on his journey home. This is a story filled with proverbs about love, sharing, and solving problems. This book is a great story to read to children in early childhood.

This book is also filled with cultural elements. The illustrations include aspects of Spanish culture and food. The story is also sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, which are followed by their English translation. This book is a wonderful book to use to introduce/bring culture into classrooms. It is particularly good for children who are Spanish language learners. This is because it is just as important to expose children to the culture and traditions of a group of people as it is to teach them their language. Language doesn’t exist on its own. It is often accompanied by traditions and customs. This book is a fun, enjoyable way to introduce that culture to children who are learning Spanish as a second language.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In honor of his saint day, Francisco's parents plan a celebration and allow him to harvest the mangos. But bees hover above the delicious fruit, and he returns empty-handed. After applying his father's advice, he obtains mangos but then gives them away to all the neighbors and relatives who encouraged him. Once again, he returns home with no fruit. But someone has an unexpected gift for him. With proverbs and Spanish phrases woven throughout the story, this title celebrates many of the cultural traditions of Francisco's Cuban neighborhood. This is a most palatable way to learn important life lessons. The pencil and ink illustrations that have been colored digitally make it almost possible to taste those mangos and the other delicious foods being served in Francisco's honor.

[Jenielle Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that shows young children a new language while learning other cultures. It is about a boy named Francisco who is sent for mangos in a tree down the street. This book is in English however there are a few phrases and words through that are in Spanish. At the end of the book it explains the words and phrases in English and in Spanish. This book would great for early education classrooms like 1st and 2nd graders. I would use this book to introduce the new culture and Spanish to my students.

[538pm_Stephanie Scherer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antonio Scare weaves beautiful proverbs into this light-hearted story about Francisco getting mangos for his Saint Day celebration! A Saint Day celebration calls for a feast, and Francisco is finally old enough to get the mangos for his family all on his own. He must conquer many feats to get to the mangos. Francisco learns many things about himself, his family, and life in general. Besides the beautiful heartwarming story and lovely illustrations, Sacre also writes all of the proverbs in Spanish and English allowing for a great multicultural read!

Award: NCCB

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely multicultural story that makes heavy use of proverbs. Francisco has predictable, amusing problems and his family is supportive and loving. I loved the bright, vibrant illustrations in the story. There is a lot of Spanish sprinkled in and non-Spanish speakers (like me!) will want to prepare well before reading this one aloud. I also thought that the story was pretty long; younger students may require a bit of modification or activity during a read aloud.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story with so many educational possibilities--it's bilingual, the character must show an impressive growth mindset (he keeps trying despite difficulties), there is character redemption through kind acts, the plot is a wonderful example of rising action with plenty of places to predict and analyze, and the ultimate climax is about connections among people. This story can be used at home or in a classroom on so many levels.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brightly colored illustrations enhance this delightful story of Francisco going to pick mangos for dessert all by himself. He has to overcome some obstacles and make decisions on his own and he does this with guidance from his family. Sprinkled with Spanish sayings (“Amor con amor se paga. Love is repaid with love.”), A Mango in the Hand captures a sense of community. This is the story of Francisco's adventure about picking mangos, but it is also about the "village" raising a child.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very sweet! I loved how a young boy was motivated by his family to keep trying and to reach a goal: grab some mangoes. I also knew most of these proverbs because I heard them from my family growing up. It can be a great book to teach younger children some Spanish and to also keep persevering to reach a goal!

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my stack today, this was probably one of my favorites. I liked the multi-cultural/multi-lingual aspect of the book as well as the lesson learned by the child during that time frame. Francisco learns a lot of lessons today on his special day.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appealing story touching upon themes of family, love, and generosity

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hispanic proverbs and Spanish phrases woven throughout offer layers of meaning and interest to this sweet story about Francisco and his quest to pick mangos for his saint day celebration.

[Courtney Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the hispanic proverbs and phrases mixed throughout (must learn them so I can sound all wise and stuff) and the story was sweet and valuable.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The integration of proverbs makes this story very unique. Nice combination of Spanish and English.

[Ana B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mango in the Hand was a grate book.

[Janai A · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this story is a good and a caring story

[Sharonta Johnson]

This is a great book on the importance of sharing and why do we share. I would introduce this book at the beginning of the school year.