Belpré, Pura. Tropical Memories. B 1+ This Puerto Rican tale begins with Carmencita’s grandfather reminiscing “of a time that was full of delight.” Grandfather soon falls fast asleep while Carmencita sings “The Fruit Trees Bud”-accompanied by a chorus. This particular song represents the dreams of the grandfather. In his dream, all the beautiful flowers, trees, and fruit of yesteryear take him back to an enchanted time full of great delight. He is reassured that his dreams are reality because he lives in the dreams of the past, as Carmencita leads Grandfather away. The play is laced with the beautiful imagery of a lush Garden of Eden that exists in the mind of the grandfather. The inherent beauty of this piece is that it describes the wonderful memories that grandparents can leave with their grandchildren before passing on. Overall, this is a beautiful story; however, it lacks some story development, and the ending is ambiguous. The casting for the play is open with the Chorus and the Coffee Plants, and there are two set characters-Grandfather and Carmencita. The set is an open space that will represent a tropical orchard. Carlson, Lori Marie. Illustrated by Raúl Colón. You're On! Seven Plays in English and Spanish. Morrow Junior Books, 1999. ISBN: 0-688-16237-1. $17.00. 139 pp.
