The Eyes of the Weaver - by Cristina Ortega (Hardcover)

About the Book

Ortega shares her memories of visits with her grandfather, who taught her how to weave when she was ten years old, and how to listen to and learn from her elders. This engaging story introduces Spanish words and phrases in a context that makes them easy for children to understand. Includes a Spanish/English glossary. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Cristina Ortega is the granddaughter of Juan Melquiades Ortega, a master weaver of northern New Mexico's Chimayó Valley. Chimayó's roots are in early Spanish Colonial times and has long been famous for its unique weavings.

Juan M. Ortega was taught to weave by his father in the early days when weavers sheared their own sheep and spun and dyed the wool for their blankets. El Tejedor (The Weaver) continued weaving until he was one hundred years old, when his eyesight failed him.

In The Eyes of the Weaver, Cristina shares her memories of visits when she was ten years old with Grandpa in the village of Chimayó, where he taught her how to weave. She also recalls how Grandma helped her husband choose color combinations for his Chimayó blankets. It was during these visits that Cristina learned how important it is for a child to listen to and learn from his or her relatives.

Some of Juan M. Ortega's weavings and tools of the trade have been included in the exhibit, "American Encounters," at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C.

Reading level: 10 years and up

Review Quotes

"Readers will be thoroughly enchanted by the author's portrayal of her real-life grandfather, whose quite and loving encouragement is conveyed with great tenderness. Garcia's beautiful oil pastels brim with cozy luminescence and inviting southwestern warmth."

"This is a wonderful story to share with your children or grandchildren..."

"ÝA¨ lovely bilingual story...Patricio Garcia's gorgeous, textured pastel illustrations evoke Chimayo's bare beauty and its textures inside and out."

""The Eyes of the Weaver.."is a treasure of heritage and story, richly illustrated by the evocative pastels of the late Patricio Garcia."

""The Eyes of the Weaver" captures the magic between master weaver Juan Melquiades Ortega and his granddaughter, Cristina Ortega."

"[A] lovely bilingual story...Patricio Garcia's gorgeous, textured pastel illustrations evoke Chimayo's bare beauty and its textures inside and out."

"Throughout the story, Christina learns values many adults have yet to learn, such as the importance of spending time with one's elders, patience and the beauty of heritage. Reading "The Eyes of the Weaver" aloud to a child is a fabulous way to teach self esteem and bilingual skills."