The Shark that Taught me English/El tiburón que me enseñó ingles. 

Reviewed by Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott Coll., Decatur, GA -- Críticas, 7/15/2008

Gr 2-4–In a story that is equally appropriate for children as it is for teachers, Sofía represents immigrant children everywhere. Displacement to a new country can feel like being thrown into an ocean and learning a second language as menacing as a circling voracious shark. Sofía, who is new to the United States from Mexico, is literally mute at school while drowning in a sea of English. She cannot communicate her most basic needs or ideas and this makes her feel stupid. Fortunately, a skilled, sympathetic teacher helps her overcome the language barrier. For a lesson on marine life, Mrs. Goodman uses a poster of a great white shark to turn Sofia’s frustrations into a sense of accomplishment, one vocabulary word at a time. Soon the child is seen enjoying school and models Mrs. Goodman by teaching her own parents what she learns in class. Colorful and vividly expressive illustrations add punch to the bilingual message that every child can succeed under the tutelage of caring teachers. Recommended for all school and public libraries.

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