I really liked this book for two main reasons. I liked the language of the story and the plot. I really liked the words that the author used to write this story. The language was very descriptive and clear. But also, the author wrote a few words in Spanish and then had the English word right after. For example, on page 14 it says: “Mira y recuerda. Watch and remember.” Also, on page 18 it says: “Hermosos” said Senor Rdodlfo, “Lovely.” The language of the text was also a way for students to learn very basic Spanish words. I really liked how the author did this because it helped to show the culture of the main character, Rosalinda. I also liked the plot of the story. The plot was suspenseful and I never know what was going to happen next. The plot was suspenseful when she saw someone stealing her lemons and a few days later she saw him selling them. I loved how the plot made me want to keep reading, I was very interested in what was going to happen next. I think the main message of this story is that we should help those in need. Rosalinda could have gotten that man in trouble for stealing her lemons, but instead, she gave him a lemon to plant a tree of his own. This was a big action for such a young child to take, but it gave a great message to the reader.

This simple tale of human compassion helps children see two conflicting sides of a situation. One night young Rosalinda wakes up to a "Wsss--shhh--snap!" outside. She slips out of bed and discovers that a man is stuffing lemons into a cloth sack! To make matters worse, by the end of the week her lemon tree is very sick. As she wanders through the Mexican countryside seeking tree-healing advice, she sees the mysterious Night Man at the mercado--and he is selling her beautiful limones! She summons the help of La Anciana, a wise old woman with gentle eyes, and it is finally she who provides a creative solution that helps Rosalinda, cures her lemon tree and gives hope to the Night Man who stole Rosalinda’s lemons.

Cause and Effect would be the first thing that I would try to teach with this book. It is such a beautiful multicultural folktale, and it would be a great way to reach ELLs. ( )

This book is about a little girl and her lemon tree. Rosalinda saw a man at night stealing the lemons from her tree. She loved her tree and was worried because all the lemons were picked and the tree started to get “sick.” Desperate for answers, Rosalinda searched for La Anciana. La Anciana is an old, wise woman with gentle eyes whose powers could help the lemon tree grow tall and strong. As Rosalinda searched for this wise woman, she went to the market and saw the man who had stolen her lemons. The wise woman appeared to Rosalinda and told her it was wrong for someone to take her lemons, but perhaps he needed them. La Anciana gave Rosalinda a small branch to heal the tree and did as she instructed. It worked. By the next morning the tree was filled with lemons and Rosalinda shared them with all her friends and neighbors. She headed to the market with one lemon left and gave it to the Night Man who had stolen her lemons. This story of generosity shows Rosalinda true colors. She could have been angry at the Night Man, but instead she chose to share her fattest lemon with him and even told him to plant the seeds. She knew that he needed it more than she did. After she gave him the lemon, she left market satisfied knowing that she made the right choice. Rosalinda was able to put someone’s needs before her animosity. ( )

I liked this book because it had very nice illustrations. This book is written in both English and Spanish and some Spanish words are mixed into the text.This book promoted a positive message about forgiveness and helping others out. I also think that children would enjoy the interesting pictures that go along with the story. This book would also be good to use during a read aloud so the students can hear how some of the Spanish words are pronounced.

This was a nice book about a girl and learning to forgive and empathize with others. It has several words in Spanish that are not translated in the text, though there is a pronunciation and translation guide at the beginning of the book. This could be used in a curriculum about Mexican folktales or in teaching empathy and forgiveness to kids. ( )

Under The lemon Moon is a multicultural, children’s book set in Mexico. This story is about a little girl who is awakened one night by a noise in the garden. When Rosalinda and her pet hen investigate, they find a man leaving the garden with a sack full of lemons from Rosalinda’s beloved tree. In the process of taking the lemons the tree is harmed. Rosalinda seeks advice from family members and friend about how to save her sick tree. During her quest she meets the Night Man, the man responsible for taking lemons from the tree. Rosalinda learns the reason why the Night Man stole the lemons. Rosalinda discovers a way to fix her tree and help the man who took her lemons.

The front cover of this story is very appealing with a lemon doubling as a bright moon. This story can be found written in both English and Spanish. Within the English version Spanish word are mingled within the text of the story. I like this story because it promotes values of sharing and forgiving. Children will be intrigued with the luminous pictures in this book. Because of the thoughtful plot, I recommend this book for a great bedtime story.

I would read this story to students and have them translate Spanish words into English. Both versions of the book could be used in a class and compared to one another. I would read this story to younger students before community circle. Students would then tell the class a time they share and how it made them feel. Students could research the differences between the culture in our country and that of Mexico.

A man takes all the lemons off a girl's lemon tree, and the tree becomes sick. Her adventure in discovering why and about help in the community. ( )