♪ Waahoooa yay! [♪♪♪]
♪ Vamonos!
♪Lo le lo lai, lo lai lai lo le, ♪
♪ it's Alma's Way!
♪ Here she comes,
♪beaming with pride and something to say! ♪
♪ Hear those drums?
♪ Playing Alma's Way.
♪ From the Bronx,
♪ singing a le lo lai, lai lo lei! ♪
♪ Our island songs,
♪ saying Alma's Way!
♪So many questions, so much to explain. ♪
♪ Hoh! you hop on the train. ♪ ♪ Figure it out as
♪Hoo!♪ Junior and Abuelo, mi gente. ♪ ♪With Mami, Papi,
♪ I'll think it through and share it with you, ♪
♪ come on vente!
♪ There she goes!
her world every day. ♪ ♪Learning about
♪ The whole world knows,
♪ it's Alma's Way...
♪ Alma's Way!
♪i¡Wepa! ♪
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Judge Alma"”
Alma: We're on our way to meet someone Granny Isa
played with when she was my age!
Who are we meeting again, Granny?
Granny Isa: My old friend, Sonia Sotomayor.
Alma: Aren't those apartments called the Sonia Sotomayor Houses?
Junior: Your friend is named after those buildings?
Granny Isa: No, those buildings are named after my friend.
She used to live there.
And there she is.
Justice Sonia: Isa, ¿qué tal?
Granny Isa: i¡Todo bien, amiga!
Meet my beautiful, gorgeous grandchildren, Alma and Junior.
Kids, meet Justice Sonia.
Sonia's going to throw the first pitch at tonight's Sweat Sox game!
Alma: For real?! Junior: Ooh!
Justice Sonia: Uh-huh. Do you want to help me practice?
Junior: Yes, please! Alma: Okay!
Justice Sonia: i¡Vamos, niños!
Alma: Come on Junior!
Let's go!
Junior: Wait! It's my turn to press it!
Alma: Well, I got here first.
Junior: But that's not fair!
Alma: It is too!
Junior: Is not!
Granny Isa: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
[chuckle] That's perfect!
Alma: Huh?
Junior: It is?
Granny Isa: Yep '‘cause Justice Sonia can help.
Solving disagreements is her job.
She's a judge.
Junior: Um, excuse me.
What's a judge?
Justice Sonia: A judge makes sure that the rules are followed and people are treated fairly.
Alma: How do you do that?
Justice Sonia: When people disagree, I listen to both sides of the story.
then make a decision. Ask questions,
accept what I decide. And people
Alma: Wow!
Junior: Are you a judge for the whole Bronx?
Granny Isa: Sonia is a United States Supreme CourtJustice.
So, she's a whole country! judge for our
Check this out.
Alma: Woah!
Junior: Wow!
Granny Isa: Mhm!
Justice Sonia: When I'm at work in the courtroom, I wear a robe.
I'll be helping But today, you wearing my sneakers!
Alma/Junior/ Granny Isa/ Justice Sonia:[laugh]
Justice Sonia: So Junior, what are disagreeing about? you and Alma
Junior: I never get a turn to press the button because Alma always gets there first.
Alma: I can't help that!
It just happens.
Justice Sonia: Hmm, tell me.
Who's older?
Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: Oh that's easy.
Me. Me. And me!
Justice Sonia: So, what if someone taller, bigger and faster always beats you to the button?
Is it fair that they press the button every time
or should you get a turn too?
Alma: Huh. I never thought of it that way.
Justice Sonia: So, whose turn should it be to press thebutton?
Alma: Let's make a new rule. We take turns.
Junior's turn.So, it's
Justice Sonia: I think that's fair.
Thanks, Alma!Junior:
Yay! I get to push the button!
Granny Isa: Ha! Good job lady!
Granny Isa/Justice Sonia: [chuckle]
Yolette: Ooh! That cloud looks like a puppy.
Oops. Missed a spot!
like a hole in the sky. It kinda looks
André: Ahhh! Hold on tight!
I'll fill it up before we fall in!
Yollete: [giggles] André: [giggles]
Alma: Hi, André!
Hi, Yolette!
This is Justice Sonia.
André: Hi!
Yolette: Nice to meet you, Justice Sonia.
Justice Sonia: Nice to meet you too.
André, that's some beautiful work.
André: Thanks! Been working on this masterpiece all day!
quick water break. But I need a
Be right back!
Junior: Oh!
Justice Sonia: i¡Increíble! She's really good!
Howard: Lucas, pass!
[effort] I got it!
Alma/Yolette: [gasp]
André: [gasp]
Woah! Woah! Woah! Woah!
You're gonna ruin my art!
Lucas: What do you mean?
We were gonna play here.
André: Well I wanna to make art!
Howard: But we want to play basketball.
Alma: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
That's perfect!
I know who can figure this out.
Justice Sonia!
Junior: Yeah, Justice Sonia is a judge and she wears a robe.
wearing sneakers. But today she's
Alma: Justice Sonia, what do you think would be fair?
Justice Sonia: What do you think would be fair, Alma?
Alma: Me? Hmm.
Oh, I know!
Hey Everyone! I'm gonna be Judge Alma, and help you figure out what's fair.
André: Wha? Lucas: Hmm?
Howard: Wha?
Granny: Hm, this is gonna be good!
Junior: [clears throat] Attention everyone!
Here comes Judge Alma.
Howard: Oh, that's a Judge Alma. Lucas: Now I get it!
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] I never thought I'd see a basketball court turned into a courtroom.
Granny Isa: That's my Almita!
[spoon clonks on cardboard]
Junior: Everybody quiet, please!
Judge Alma is ready.
Alma: Let's get started!
Umm...
Uhh, Justice Sonia, what do I do?
Justice Sonia: Well, you're the judge.
rules of the basketball court. You have to figure out the
And then decide what's fair.
You can do this, Alma.
Alma: Hmm. How do I decide?
I gotta think about this...
Junior: But that's not fair!
I never get a turn to press the button.
Alma: I got here first.
Hmm. When Justice Sonia helped us figure out what was fair,
she listened to both sides.
Justice Sonia: Who's older? Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: And she asked us a lot of questions to figure out what was happening.
Let's make a new rule.
We take turns!
So, It's Junior's turn.
Justice Sonia: I agree. I think that's fair.
Junior: Thanks, Alma!
Alma: And then we made a decision.
Oh! I know what to do.
So I'm gonna listen to both sides and ask questions.
Then I'll figure out the rules of the basketball court.
And then decide what's fair.
Howard: Sounds good to me!
Lucas: Uh-huh!
André: Uh-huh! Yolette: Yup!
Alma: Okay, André, tell me what happened.
André: Well, this morning, my dad made me fresh squeezed orange juice with lots of pulp.
Lucas: I love pulp!
Howard: Not me.
Alma: [giggle] André, I mean what happened at the basketball court?
André: Gotcha.
Well, no one was around when I got here, so I started to draw.
But then I left for one quick little second.
And Howard and Lucas almost ruined my masterpiece!
Alma: Where do you usually draw?
Andre: Different places. Ya know, all over the neighborhood.
Alma: Got it. Thanks!
Howard, Lucas, tell me what happened.
Howard: So, we got to the basketball court.
Lucas: And André wasn't there.
André: Like I told you, I went to get water!
Alma; Okay, right. Um.
Justice Sonia: You're doing great, Alma!
Keep asking questions so you understand everything that happened.
Alma: Okay. So, Howard, Lucas, where do you usually play basketball?
Lucas: Right here, at the basketball court, where you play basketball.
Alma: Could you play later?
Howard: No, because I have to go home for a snack, and Lucas is going to his mom's house.
Lucas: Mhm.
Alma: Could you play without messing up André's art?
Lucas: No way! His art is in the middle of the court!
Alma: Is that everything that happened?
André: Hmm, let me think.
Oh, I know! Yolette saw the whole thing.
anything I missed! She can tell you
Yolette: Yup! I saw everything!
Justice Sonia: Yolette can be a witness. That's someone who saw what happened.
Go ahead and call the witness, Junior.
Junior: Calling the witness!
Hey, Witness! Where are you?!
Yolette: Here I am!
Alma: Yolette, what did you see?
Yolette: Okay, so André was drawing a sky with a hole in it.
take a water break. Then, he went to
But then, Howard and Lucas came and almost messed up André's chalk art!
And then.
Well, that's it. The end.
Alma/André/Lucas: [applause] Yolette: Thank you.
Howard: Hey, can I have a witness too, Judge Alma?
Alma: Sure!
Howard: I call...
Junior: Pick me! Pick me!
Yolette: Pick me!
Lucas: Me!
Junior: Pick me!
Howard: Yolette!
Yolette: Yes!
Junior: Calling the next witness!
Same as last witness!
Yolette: This is fun. I like being a witness.
Howard: Yolette, when you want to play basketball, where do you go?
Yolette: The basketball court.
André/Lucas/Junior: [gasp]
Alma: Thanks, Yolette.
Okay, André. I've got a question.
Do you think it'd be fair if someone played basketball in the sandbox
when you wanted to make a sandcastle?
André: No, I guess it wouldn't.
Alma: Okay. Umm.
Justice Sonia, what do I do now?
Justice Sonia: Alma, It's time for you to decide.
Alma: Okay.
I think I understand everything that happened.
Now I'll decide.
[dramatic music]
Junior: Ooh!
Alma: Hmm. Mmm...Got it!
Howard: So? What did you decide?
Alma: Since a basketball court is where you play basketball.
Howard and Lucas should be allowed to play there.
André: For real?! Howard: Yeah!
Howard: Awesome! Lucas: Yeah!
André: But I got there first!
Alma: Well, it's like you said, since you can draw anywhere.
André: Ah, I get where this is going.
If I'm ever drawing on the court and someone wants to play basketball,
I'll draw somewhere else.
Alma: Mhm.
masterpiece, I'll draw Justice Andre: For my next Sonia and Judge Alma on the sidewalk.
Alma: That sounds ah-may-zing.
Junior: Now can I take my bowtie off?
Alma: Yep! The court case is now finished.
[spoon smacks cardboard]
Junior: Ahh.
Howard: And now we can play basketball!
You too, Yolette and André.
Yolette: Yes! Andre: Alright!
Justice Sonia: You did a great job, Judge Alma!
Okay, who's ready to help me practice my pitch?
Junior/Alma: We are!
Justice Sonia: Then let's play ball!
Alma: That sounds fair to me!
♪♪
[♪♪♪]
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Umpire Alma"”
Great arm, Alma! Justice Sonia:
Alma: i¡Gracias, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Mmm-ah! I have a great arm too!
Granny Isa: Let's see what you got, Junior!
Alma: Justice Sonia's throwing the first pitch at the Sweat Sox game tonight.
Sa-weet, huh?
Junior: [effort]
Justice Sonia: i¡Lo hiciste! i¡Así es!
Rafia: Hi, Alma!
[gasp] Is that who I think it is?!
depends on who you think I am. Justice Sonia: Well, that
Rafia: You're Justice Sonia Sotomayor from the United States Supreme Court!
Born and raised in the Bronx.
throw a fierce curveball. And I hear you
Justice Sonia: Yes, that's me! You can call me Justice Sonia.
Rafia: My mom's a big fan!
She always tells me when she reads about you in the news.
Justice Sonia: Thank your mom for me!
Alma: Ya know Justice Sonia, Rafia can throw a sa-weet curveball like you.
Granny Isa: Wanna show the Justice?
Rafia: Yes please!
Mmf!
Justice Sonia: Wow! That's got some heat to it.
Rafia: Thanks, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Me next!
got lots of heat too! My curveball's
Rafia: Hey, Alma, I'm gonna go play kickball. Wanna come?
Alma: No thanks, I'm gonna stay here.
Rafia: Okay, see ya!
Alma: Bye!
Granny Isa: I think it's time we see that pitching arm of yours.
Whaddya say, Sonia?
Justice Sonia: Let's go Amiga!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Sonia! Don't hold back!
Alma/Junior: Hey! Hey! Let's see you throw! Go Justice Sonia! Go! Go! Go!
Justice Sonia: Uhm!
Granny Isa: Nice one!
Justice Sonia: Mnh!
Granny Isa: i¡Wepa! That's what I'm talking about, amiga!
Is she good or what?!
Alma: That's what I was gonna say!
Rafia: Incoming!
Alma: I got it!
Foul ball!
André: Thanks, Alma!
Justice Sonia: Nice call, Alma! You would make a great umpire.
Alma: Is an umpire the person who stands behind home plate?
Deciding if the player is- safe!
Or- out!
Justice Sonia: Exactly. They know the rules, are fair to both sides, and they have an open mind.
Mmh! And, umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ohh.
Granny Isa: And I'm callin' for a water break!
Junior: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Alma: Hmm.
I would make an ah-may-zing umpire.
Oh!
I'm gonna ask my friends if they want me to umpire their game.
Justice Sonia: i¡Da-le! Alma!
Granny Isa: Love it!
Junior: Go Alma the umpire! Go! Go! Go!
Alma: Hey, everyone!
Can I be your umpire?
Emi: Yeah! Lucas: Okay! Beto: Sure!
André: I'm cool with it!
Howard: So, if you're the umpire,
does that mean you're gonna stand behind the kicker during the game?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: And say if they're safe or out?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: Do you know all the rules?
Alma: Yep!
Howard: Hmm. Uhh.
I like it!
game, Umpire Alma! Welcome to the
Alma: Let's play ball!
Kicker up!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Alma! That's my girl!
Junior: Hey! Hey! Kick that ball!
So Umpire Alma can make a call!
André: Ack!
Alma: Strike one! André: Aww.
Junior: Granny Isa, can I take pictures?
Granny Isa: Sure!
Have fun!
Junior: Thank you!
Granny Isa: Ready to pitch some more?
Justice Sonia: Sí, vamos, amiga.
Rafia: Common, André! You got this!
Emi: Go, André!
Granny Isa: Euh!
[squirrel squeaks]
Junior: Ooh!
André: Oof!
Alma: Strike three. You're out!
André: Aw, man!
Alma: Nice try, André!
Beto: Let's go! Lucas: Kick it!
[Kids cheer]
André: Throw here! Throw here!
Howard: Oh!
Alma: Safe!
Junior: Go, Alma! You're totally winning at being umpire!
Rafia: Kick that ball!
Alma: Ooh! Good one! Andre: Great Becka!
Alma: Safe!
[cheering]
Justice Sonia: Wow! What a call!
Lucas: Urhh!
[cheering]
André: I got it! I got it! Ah!
Alma: Out!
Good try!
Safe!
[cheering]
Junior: Ooh!
Granny Isa: Ah!
Justice Sonia: Wow!
Granny Isa: Check me out! You're not the only one who's still got it.
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] Hey, maybe you should be the one throwing out the first pitch tonight!
Justice Sonia/Granny Isa: [laugh]
Rafia: C'mon, André!
Bring me home!
André: Oof!
[cheering]
Lucas: Oh no! Get the ball!
Yolette: Run run run run run!
Howard: I'm coming for you, Rafia!
Rafia: [panting]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her!
Howard/Rafia: Uh!
Alma: You're out!
[cheering]
Junior: Hey! That's right, she called you out!
sister an umpire shout! Let's give my
Go, Alma the Umpire!
Rafia: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
So I was safe! Right?!
André: I couldn't really tell.
Could you?
Rafia: C'mon, Alma, are you sure?
Maybe I was wrong? Alma: [gulp]
Howard: I totally tagged you out first, Rafia.
I was there! I saw it!
Right?
Lucas: It was really close.
Beto: Um, I'm pretty sure I saw Howard tag Rafia first.
Emi: Me too!
Pretty sure.
Yolette: Well, maybe Rafia did touch the base first.
But it's also possible that Howard tagged her first.
But Rafia is super fast.
really go either way! So it could
Beto: Ya know, the more I think about it.
Howard tagged Rafia first, so she's definitely out.
Emi: Definitely out!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Howard: Now way! She's out!
Lucas: Yeah, out!
André/Rafia: Safe!
Beto/Emi: Out!
Alma: Eep!
Excuse me, Justice Sonia?
What do you think?
Justice Sonia: Alma, you're the umpire. It's your call.
Alma: Um?
Justice Sonia: You got this, Umpire!
Howard: So?
Rafia: Yeah, was I out or safe?
Alma: Uhhh.
I'm not even sure anymore.
I'm feeling all confused.
Uhh, I gotta think about this...
You're out!
From where I was, I thought I saw Howard tag Rafia, before she crossed home plate.
Rafia: I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Alma: But other people saw it differently than I did.
Justice Sonia: Umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ahh! I know what to do.
I've gotta call it like I saw it!
So. [exhale]
Rafia is out.
Howard: Yes!
[gasps]
Rafia: Really?!
Alma: Uh-huh. That's what I saw.
Rafia: [sigh] I need a water break.
Granny Isa: ¿Qué pasa, Almita?
Alma: I'm not sure I did the right thing.
Justice Sonia: Tell me more about it.
Alma: [sigh] Well, I made a call and I stuck with it.
But, Rafia still isn't happy.
sometimes an umpire makes a Justice Sonia: You know, decision that not everyone likes.
But you called it like you saw it, and people need to trust that.
Granny Isa: I'm really proud of you for sticking to it.
That's my Almita.
Alma: [sigh] Thanks.
Junior: Look at this flower I saw!
Justice Sonia: Nice one! Granny Isa: Good find! Alma: Sweet!
So, Justice Sonia, are you ready to pitch tonight?
Justice Sonia: As ready as I'll ever be.
Granny Isa: Ah, she's totally ready!
Junior: Yeah! Totally!
See!
[cheering]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her! Rafia: Oof!
Alma: You're out!
Wait a minute!
Justice Sonia: Did you see that too?
Alma: Uh-huh!
Junior: See what?
Granny Isa: Yeah, what did we miss?
Alma/Justice Sonia: That!
Alma: I was right!
Granny Isa: You were right!
Justice Sonia: That was a great call, Umpire Alma!
Junior: Told ya you'd win at umpireing!
Alma: I gotta go show my friends!
This is the play. See?!
Watch it again.
There!
Rafia: Okay, you were right. Nice call, Umpire Alma.
Now back to the game!
We still have time to win this!
Alma: Time to umpire!
And after that, it's time for another ball game.
[stadium crowd cheering]
Alma: Go!
Junior: Go Justice Sonia!
[stadium crowd cheering]
Junior/Alma: [cheering]
Alma: I'm gonna call it like I see it.
The whole Bronx thinks the Justice is an ah-may-zing pitcher!
And I do too!
Go! Go! Go!
[stadium crowd cheering]
♪♪
02x01 - Justice Sonia and Judge Alma/Justice Sonia and Umpire Alma
Watch/Buy Amazon
The show is set in The Bronx, New York and revolves around Alma, a six-year-old Puerto Rican girl, as she ventures out into her Latino neighborhood to demonstrate decision making and social awareness skills.
The show is set in The Bronx, New York and revolves around Alma, a six-year-old Puerto Rican girl, as she ventures out into her Latino neighborhood to demonstrate decision making and social awareness skills.