Summary:
Maria made the best chestnuts in town and always had a line of children waiting for them. She was very kind and everyone loved her. Another lady, who was not nearly as nice as Maria, stole Maria's chestnuts in a fit of jealousy. When she realized the children were sad and Maria had no chestnuts left to sell them, the other woman apologized and they worked together from then on.

Personal Reaction: The story was really sweet because Maria wanted to help every child in town. The version I read had the Spanish translation at the top of each page so I thought it was perfect for multicultural.

Classroom Extension:
1)Have the students that are bilingual, if any, translate a moment in their life to the classroom.
2) Pair students up and give them a group project to where each child must contribute something to the team.

Summary: It's a story about the fall and a girl named Maria. She was a chestnut vendor and was very well known for it. She would cook chestnuts and head to town to sell them. Her main customers were children of all ages. Even if they didn't have money she told them to pay her another day. There was a mean old woman next to Maria who also sold chestnuts, but nobody would buy hers. The old woman stoled Maria's nuts at night. Maria began to cry so the children gathered up more for her. The old lady apologized and from that day on they sold the best nuts together.

Personal Reaction: I thought this was a good story. Also how the children went out and found more for her. There was a lot of caring and sharing in this book. This is another good addition to a book collection.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) Create a Fall tree, because the book took place in the Fall.

2) Bring some Chestnuts to the class so they can all taste it.

3) Have the class draw and color any scene from the book. ( )