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*Picture book, contemporary, preschool through second graders
*Young girl as main character
*Rating: This is a cute book for young children. It can help them learn about different veggies and about making friends. The illustrations are FANTASTIC!
Short, short summary:
Adelita is starting school and wants to make friends, but she’s worried and nervous as all children are when they start school. Her teacher begins class with a basket of vegetables. Each student takes one–some are familiar such as sweet potatoes and cucumbers. Others are less familiar such as calabacitas, cassavas, and malangas. Each child in the class chooses a vegetable out of the basket, and they talk to each other about them. Adelita finds a girl who also has a squash, and they eventually become friends. Then they talk to other children in the class about their vegetables, and everyone feels better in the end. This book is bilingual, as it has a full English and Spanish text (from Pinata Books).
So, what do I do with this book?
1. Re-enact the book. Bring in a basket of veggies–some well-known and some lesser known. Have each child choose one. Then do different activities. For example, have any student with a green vegetable stand by the door and a brown veggie by the window. Students could try to find out more about their veggie also–a mini research project.
2. Make a Vegetable A to Z book with students. In a shared writing activity, make a list from A to Z of different veggies. Each student gets at least one veggie to make a book page with. They can draw a picture, write a sentence, or even a fact like where they grow.
3. What makes a good friend? How do you make friends? Have you ever felt like Adelita when you started at a new place? You can ask students these questions and more with this book. It’s a great discussion starter.
(BONUS: There’s a recipe for vegetable soup at the back of the book you can make with children!)
Before I talk about the new TRILINGUAL picture book, My Sister is My Best Friend by Nicole Weaver (Guardian Angel Publishing), I would like to announce the winner of Melissa Goodwin’s book, The Christmas Village. The winner is Beth F.! Thank you, Beth, for your comment, and happy holidays to everyone who left a comment and shared a tradition.
Now on to. . .My Sister is My Best Friend:
*Picture book, contemporary fiction for preschool through 1st graders
*Two twin girls as main characters
*Rating: A sweet book, especially for anyone (young or old!) with sisters. Plus, children can start to learn some Spanish and French while reading the book. It celebrates FAMILY!
Short, short summary:
Nicole Weaver’s book begins with these lines: “I am lucky my sister is my best friend. We do everything together.” And then the Spanish and French are listed neatly underneath the English AND accompanied by super-cute illustrations by Clara Batton Smith. The book goes on (it’s more like a concept book about family/sisters than a story with a problem/solution) to tell the interesting things the sisters like to do together such as playing with their dog, riding the see-saw at the park, and chasing butterflies. Again, each page contains a cute illustration and the text in English, French, and Spanish. A great book for a classroom or for a home library!
So, what do I do with this book?
1. There’s an automatic lesson built into this book, which is always great for any parent, teacher, or librarian. Children can see how English translates into French and Spanish. They can try to pick out the important words like sister and friend. If you know someone who can speak Spanish/French, invite them in to read the book with a proper accent!
2. Your students/child can make a similar book about their sister, brother, mom, dad, cousin, and so on. For example, one child could create: My Mother is My Best Friend; another could write My Cousin is My Best Friend. After children write a few pages (or just illustrate if they are preschoolers), they can share their pages/books with classmates.
3. Nicole Weaver has included some wonderful details and word choice in her picture book. For example, take this page (in English): “Sometimes just for fun, we shriek and run as fast as we can …pretending to be orangutans.” The six plus one traits of writing, Word Choice, celebrates words such as “shriek” or the choice of pretending to be orangutans, instead of just monkeys. Both of these words present clear images in the readers’ mind. What other examples of good word choice can readers find in the book?
Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy recently published Ten Little Puppies/Diez perritos, a bilingual bonanza!
Alma Flor Ada
Alma Flor Ada is an internationally published children’s book author. She is the recipient of several prestigious honors, including the Pura BelprÉ Award, the Christopher Award, the JosÉ MartÍ World Award, and the Museum of Tolerance Award.
F. Isabel Campoy
F. Isabel Campoy is a scholar devoted to the study of language acquisition. She is a well-known author of numerous children’s books in the areas of poetry, theatre, folktales, biographies, and art.
Hispanic culture and bilingual education are both topics that are important to you. Can you share a little on your background and how you became a children’s book writer?
Culture prepares us to understand the world around us. All cultures evolve, and no culture is perfect, but knowing our roots gives us a sense of community and belonging. The Hispanic culture, a product of multiple heritages, is very rich and has contributed much to the world and to the US society. Latino children have much to learn about their culture. We hope that as they do they will feel enriched by it. When non-Hispanic children learn about our culture they can develop a better understanding of their Latino peers.
Being bilingual has been one of the greatest assets I have enjoyed in life. I wish the same benefit for all children.
I have a strong belief on the importance of family. When children do not acquire, or lose, the ability to speak the language their parents know best, the language they can share feelings, experiences, dreams and beliefs, the parents’ role as educators is eroded and children miss out what should be a valuable part of their heritage.
Ten Little Puppies/Diez perritosis a vibrant rendition of the classic Spanish nursery rhyme, co-authored by F. Isabel Campoy and yourself. Can you tell us about your writing partnership and what connected you both to Diez perritos?
Both of us sang and enjoyed this nursery rhyme as children, Isabel in Spain, and I in Cuba. Later I sang it with my children who enjoyed singing along. At some point my son Miguel made me aware that sad things happened in many nursery rhymes.
Both Isabel and I believe that young children have a right to joy and happiness so, when we decided to adapt Ten Little Puppies for publication we made sure to find better, and not tragic reasons, for th
Celebrate the universal love for reading, and Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), with WAITING FOR THE BIBLIOBURRO, by the award-winning team of Monica Brown and John Parra. Enter to win one of three (3) hardcover copies of this heartwarming tale that every child will enjoy. Giveaway begins September 19, 2011, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends October 15, 2011, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Reading level: Ages 4-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Book overview: Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, award-winning picture book creators Monica Brown and John Parra introduce readers to the mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Colombia, and to the children who wait for the Biblioburro.
Critical acclaim: “The book is perfect for read-alouds, with occasional, often onomatopoeic Spanish words such as “quiquiriquí,” “tacatac” and “iii-aah” adding to the fun.” –Kirkus Reviews
About the author: MONICA BROWN’s Peruvian-American heritage has inspired in her a desire to share Latino/a stories with children. Her books have garnered starred reviews, The Américas Award, and a Pura Belpré Honor. In addition, she received the prestigious Rockefeller Fellowship on Chicano Cultural Literacy from the Center for Chicano Studies at the University of California. Monica is currently Professor of English at Northern Arizona University in U.S. Latino and Multicultural Literature.
About the illustrator: JOHN PARRA is an award-winning illustrator, designer, teacher, and fine art painter whose work is avidly collected. John’s books have received starred reviews and have appeared on the Texas 2×2 Reading List. He has received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for illustration, the 2006 International Latino Book Award for Best Children’s Book Interior Illustrations, and the 2010 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award for Gracias/Thanks, written by Pat Mora.
A note from Monica: I love librarians. Like me, (and I’ll bet you too if you are reading this), librarians are book people. Book people find joy between the pages of a book, but their passion doesn’t stop there. True book people must share books with others. They believe that placing books in young hands and sharing stories with young minds is meaningful. Luis Soriano is a book person… When I wrote WAITING FOR THE BIBLIOBURRO, I didn’t want to presume to tell Luis’s story for him, so I created a fictional story inspired by his, from the perspective of a little girl whose life he changes.
Every little girl dreams of being a ballerina. Choose your ballerina's nationality, hair and eye color, and personalize this print with her name. Made to order, now in my Etsy shop.
0 Comments on NEW! Personalized Ballerina Print in my Etsy Shop! as of 1/1/1900
This year is the 15th anniversary for El día de los niños/El día de los libros! Happy birthday to this wonderful celebration of children and books from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds!
There are lots of celebrations going on and one I’m particularly excited about is the Pura Belpré Celebración at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans this June. Organizers tell us that they’re going to celebrate it as a Quinceañera with a traditional promenade. It’s going to be fabulous – we only hope we can sneak away from our booth long enough to participate!
For your collections, here are some Spanish and bilingual books to consider for your Día celebrations:
This list is by no means exhaustive (many of these authors and illustrators are prolific with rich and beautiful books in their backlist), but hopefully it’ll help get you started.
And make sure to check out the Día website – there’s a wealth of information about hosting your own Día event, events going
When I think of going on vacation, I imagine relaxing and enjoying myself. What’s most important, I don’t want to be rushed. However, every time I visit Argentina, I feel more like I’m going on a very short business trip.I have to be able to meet with all my friends and family. If I don’t see them all by the end of my trip, I feel terribly guilty. Mission accomplished! My trip was a success. I saw my friends and family, and I had a great time. Below, I have included the most important highlights and pictures of my favorite places to see in Córdoba.
Plaza San Martin, the main square located in downtown Córdoba.
After a 13-hour trip, I arrived in Córdoba, Argentina. I stayed at my sister’s apartment in Nueva Córdoba near the downtown area. In the 1900s, this part of the city was home to the wealthiest and most traditional families in Córdoba. Today, due to its proximity to Ciudad Universitaria (University Campus) and the increasing number of buildings constructed in this district, the majority of people living here are students.
View of Hipolito Irigoyen Avenue in Nueva Córdoba district, featuring modern buildings combined with Eighteenth Century architecture.
I don’t know how many in this audience can write in English and Spanish, but I thought perhaps there may be a few. If you are one of those bilingual writers, then you might want to submit something to this new non-profit publisher – Ediciones Monarcas. They have received money to publish books from Infinity Auto Insurance to help promote reading and enrich the learning environment for children in Hispanic households by providing parents and grandparents with education and the necessary resources to improve their children’s reading habits.
The contest awards a thousand dollars to one winner each month, but the contract does not include royalities. They will distrubutethe 50,000 to 60,000 paperbook copies to these Hispanic households.
Infinity Auto Insurance Leer Conmigo Award in Children’s Literature
Ediciones Monarcas—a new, not-for-profit publisher of bilingual (Spanish-English) books for children—announces the Infinity Auto Insurance Leer Conmigo Award in Children’s Literature. Each month we will award a $1,000 prize and publish the best submission we receive.
Guidelines:
• Deadline for the next $1,000 prize: Jan. 17, 2011
• Submissions should be appropriate for children K-5
• Submissions must be bilingual: English-Spanish
• Illustrations should not accompany the submission
• Content is open, although it must be age appropriate
• Send up to 32 pages total with these specifications: 16 pages max. in English, 16 pages max. in Spanish
• Each page should have no more than approximately 100 words. (Given linguistic requirements of Spanish that don’t govern English, the Spanish text will have slightly more words.)
• You may submit up to 5 mss, although send each in separate emails.
• There is no reading fee.
• Submissions from authors outside of the U.S. are very welcomed.
• We will distribute winning books via the Leer Conmigo Program in an initial print run of 50,000-60,000 copies.
• Email submission to: [email protected]. (Contest website coming soon.)
The goal of Leer Conmigo and its subsidiary Ediciones Monarcas is to enrich the learning environment for children in Hispanic households by providing parents and grandparents with education and the necessary resources to improve their children’s reading habits and to foster a life-long love of reading in multiple languages. Leer Conmigo and Ediciones Monarcas are supported by Infinity Auto Insurance Company (NASDAQ:IPCC and online at InfinityAuto.com.)
Sounds like a good cause, where you can get publsihed and make a little money. Please let me know if you submit and have anything to add.
This post doesn’t include what rights are given up or retained by the author of the submissions. I don’t mind giving up rights to a published piece but sometimes they retain all rights to rejected ms too. I almost submitted to a contest that said in the small print, “all submissions become the property of ___”. Why they would want a lot of rejected ms I can only guess. Is there any way to find out about the rights they give?
Most everybody knows what Christmas caroling is, but who goes caroling anymore? Have people become too busy, lazy, or intimidated to sing in public? Are they afraid of offending neighbors or interrupting their privacy? Even I, the poster child for all things secular, enjoy the Christmas season and miss those traditions.
In the Spanish-speaking world, however, caroling is still alive and kicking. In Puerto Rico, for example, caroling is known as parranda, asalto, or trulla. It goes like this: a group of friends gathers together to surprise another friend. They arrive at the destination and then very quietly assemble by the front door. At a signal, all start playing their instruments and singing traditional songs. The parrandas usually begin after 10 P.M. in order to wake the sleeping friend. (Of course, the parranderos are given plenty of "hints" beforehand by the homeowner that he or she is ready to receive a parranda.)
The party goes on for an hour or two, then everyone, including the homeowners, takes the party to someone else. The group grows as they offer their parranda at several houses during that night. At the last house, probably around 3 or 4 A.M., the homeowner offers the traditional chicken soup (asopao de pollo) or mondongo (beef tripe soup). The party is over at dawn.
I hope you will appreciate the difference between a mild-mannered 10-member choir singing "Silent Night" and 10 people blasting away with brass, wind, and percussion instruments, backed up by 20 singers. It’s a different ball game, all right.
This alphabet book, from the author of the musical In the Heights, takes a gritty and realistic look at urban life that will be familiar to many children while exposing other children to a new setting. Ava takes her friend on a tour of her neighborhood and many words in Spanish. She starts with a hug for her abuela and passes through G for graffiti, M for los muralistas painting murals on the walls, V for vegetables in what used to be a vacant lot, and ends at Z Street where the cars zoom past. Ava adds lots of small details to her alphabet tour that really show her enthusiasm for her neighborhood as well as giving the reader more details about her home. This is a tour worth taking!
This book does not sugarcoat what you will see in an urban neighborhood with abandoned cars, graffiti, and a burned building. But for children who see these things in their own neighborhoods, they will find a picture book that depicts their own world, something invaluable for a child. The Spanish words add a great rhythm to the book and another layer of information. Airhara’s illustrations use a lot of open space, emphasizing the stretches of blocks, the expanse of the city. They are simple and have a pleasant mix of bright color and earth tones.
A book that fills a need in children’s alphabet books for books set in urban locations, this will be welcomed on library shelves. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Reviewed from copy received from Arthur A. Levine Books.
Dear Foreign Language Instructors, School Administrators, and Foreign Language Students,
We hope the school year is off to a good start and that things are going well for all of you. As in previous years, Amsco is attending the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo taking place November 19-21 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA.
As usual, this major event attracts thousands of language educators and promises to deliver maximum educational value and expand your knowledge about language instruction, latest research, and best practices.
We hope you enjoy the 2010 Conference and we look forward to meeting you at our booth at the Language Expo. Our booth number is 2725.
Every year we are happy to see your excitement about our new products. The following is a list of our latest books with a short description of their new features:
French Is Fun, Fourth Edition
New Features in the Fourth Edition
0 Comments on Languages: Gateways to Global Communities as of 1/1/1900
BookFinder.com está ahora disponible en español. Para ver la traducción al español, simplemente haga clic en "Ver BookFinder.com en: Español" en nuestro sitio web, tal como se muestra en la imagen siguiente.
We are very happy to announce that we have now launched a complete Spanish translation of our website. We have long search the Spanish catalogues of various booksellers but until now users had to navigate our website in Dutch, English, French, or German.
If you are most comfortable with Spanish, just to “View BookFinder.com in: Español” on our homepage below the search box (seen below)
BookFinder.com está ahora disponible en español. Para ver la traducción al español, simplemente haga clic en "Ver BookFinder.com en: Español" en nuestro sitio web, tal como se muestra en la imagen siguiente.
We are very happy to announce that we have now launched a complete Spanish translation of our website. We have long search the Spanish catalogues of various booksellers but until now users had to navigate our website in Dutch, English, French, or German.
If you are most comfortable with Spanish, just to “View BookFinder.com in: Español” on our homepage below the search box (seen below)
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration remembering loved ones who have passed on. It is celebrated in many communities in Mexico and the United States. Here are some children's books I've been reading over the past week to my elementary school classes:
On Day of the Dead by Yolanda James, illustrated by Russ Daff. Dingles & Co. 2008. Simple, clear text describes ways to celebrate, including
0 Comments on Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead as of 11/2/2010 7:10:00 AM
Hey, boys and girls, great news, brought to you by the Foreign Languages Department! Spanish Is Fun—Book 1, Fourth Edition has come out, in two colors. This exciting book will help you attain basic communicative skills and get you ready for that vacation on the Costa del Solthat you’ve been planning for so long.
Even if you’re staying on this side of the Atlantic and just wish to communicate with your Spanish-speaking Facebook or Twitter friends in their native language, or need to fulfill that pesky foreign-language academic requirement, Spanish Is Fun, Book 1 is the answer. By the way, the Holidays are around the corner: Spanish Is Fun, Book 1 is the perfect stocking stuffer.
New Features in the Fourth Edition • Two-color text and illustrations • New layout and design make lessons easier to navigate. • Updated vocabulary and language reflects changes in usage in the 21st century. • Added emphasis on conversational skills with several oral exercises in each lesson • Updated Capsula cultural sections
Spanish Is Fun— Book 1, Fourth Edition has retained the time-tested features that have made it so popular: • A consistent program sequence and clearly focused content topic in each lesson. • A deductive learning approach guides students into making their own discoveries and draw their own conclusions. • Lively drawings that introduce the vocabulary without the need for English. • Entertaining narratives or playlets that feature new structural elements and vocabulary.
OK, so the cover is cool. Don’t judge this book just by its cover. Check it out; you’ll see it’s a really good investment, especially in these hard economic times. School decision-makers may request an examination copy of Spanish Is Fun, Book 1 by contacting their local Amsco sales representative.
About a year ago, while editing Amsco´s Spanish First Year Workbook, I first learned about how people in Mexico (and some people in Texas, Arizona, and California) celebrate the Day of the Dead.
This celebration takes place on November 1 and November 2, coinciding with the Catholic Holy Days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, respectively. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is not a mournful commemoration, but a joyous and lively festival. Its origin can be traced back to the pre-colonial Mexican civilizations (Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples). Indigenous people believed that souls did not pass away, that they continued to live in Mictlan, the underworld of Aztec mythology. In this place, the souls rest until they return to their homes to visit their living relatives on the Day of the Dead.
With the Spaniards’ arrival, the Aztec ancestral rituals blended with Catholicism to create a unique time and space to honor the loved ones. The activities commemorating the Day of the Dead often vary throughout the various parts of Mexico. For instance, in addition to religious services and praying, people spend the day at the cemetery, visit their loved ones’ gravesites and decorate them with marigold flowers
1 Comments on Day of the Dead: What You Need to Know, last added: 10/18/2010
El rey del futbol; a bilingual picture book by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. Translated by Fernando Gayesky. HarperColins, 2008. When Pele was a boy in Brazil he used to play soccer barefoot in the street with a grapefruit, bundle of rags, or whatever ball they could scrounge up. He had a team made up of his neighborhood friends that made a name for themselves. He grew up to play
2 Comments on Review: Pele King of Soccer, last added: 10/20/2010
Hmmm, the book must be good (I'm glad to know that it exists), the only problem is that because it's in Spanish it will continue to emphasize the (wrong) idea that we speak Spanish in Brazil. Sigh. It's hard to be the speaker of/teach a true "minority language" and culture. Thanks for letting me know about this book, though!
Lilian that is a really good comment. I am sorry I did not acknowledge or link Brazil and Portuguese as Pele's language in the review. They certainly should have included in in the book and made it trilingual!!
In the United States, October 12 is known as Columbus Day and focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Italians and Italian-Americans in the U.S. But throughout the Spanish-speaking world, October 12 or Día del Descubrimiento (Discovery Day) focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Spain and celebrates the dawn of la raza, a sometimes controversial term, mostly because it translates—sometimes poorly—as “the race.”
The term “la raza” takes different meanings among the various Spanish-speaking peoples. In Spain, it often refers to something or someone of a European Christian heritage. In Spanish America, it sometimes emphasizes Spanish or European heritage and/or family, as in the term “Día de la Raza,” a popular alternative name for Día del Descubrimiento. In the United States, “la raza” is sometimes used to denote people of Chicano or mestizo descent, as well as other Latin-American mestizos who share Amerindian heritage. In this context, the term is rarely inclusive of entirely European or African descended Hispanic peoples. However, in a broader sense— and this is the meaning familiar to me—“la raza” describes the racial fusion of European, Amerindian, and African peoples. In that context, “la raza” translates as “the people,” rather than “the race.”
Many people say they want to learn a new language, but they don´t want to go through the trouble of actually studying it. They want to speak a new language in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, there are too many language-learning products in the market. They promise that you will become fluent in fewer than 30 days. I have bad news for you. That is never the case. You will need to put in real time if you want to achieve a decent proficiency level.
I have been thinking that maybe learning a new language is like running a marathon. You do not wake up one day and sign up to run the New York City Marathon. No, running a marathon demands being in a good physical shape, living a healthy lifestyle, and having a passion for running. If you don´t do what´s necessary, you will be unsuccessful.
I´ll use Spanish as an example.
You need to have a plan. If you dive into learning Spanish without specific goals and realistic timeframes, you will most likely fail. I would say that you would expect to communicate in basic, understandable Spanish after six months, but don´t expect fluency. You will need more time and dedication to get to that level. It is a gradual process. You just do not wake up one day and say, “I´m fluent.” I think you can achieve fluency after two years.
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Using your Spanish-English dictionary to find the meanings of different words doesn´t seem like a difficult task. However, how many times have you read or heard Spanish frases hechas (set phrases), tried to look them up in your dictionary, and wound up empty-handed?
There is a simple way to uncover the meanings of Spanish idioms, but you need a monolingual (Spanish-only) dictionary. Here are the steps you should follow:
Step 1: Look up the most important NOUN in your phrase. For instance, in the phrase echarle más leña al fuego,which means to make a situation worse, or literally, to add wood or fuel to the fire, the primary noun is leña. So, that is where you should begin your search to find the meaning of the expression.
Step 2: Look up the VERB. For example, in the set phrase tener hambre (to be hungry), the verb you will look up is tener. If there is no verb, you look up the ADJECTIVE or PRONOUN, in that order.
Most of the time, checking the definition of the noun or the verb included in the expression is enough. Therefore, you will not need to go down the whole scale.
As you might have noticed, it is essential that you know the difference among nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns to follow these steps. So, this technique is usually useful for intermediate-level Spanish students. If you have already reached an intermediate level of Spanish, I strongly suggest that you get a monolingual dictionary. It usually offers multiple and more complete definitions. It provides lots of examples, and it teaches you the words in context, as opposed to the standard bilingual dictionary, which is useful for some purposes but generally does not have room to provide as much information as a monolingual dictionary.
If you really want to continue improving your Spanish skills, you don´t have to get rid of your bilingual dictionary, but think about getting a Spanish-only dictionary, too.
2 Comments on Unraveling the Meanings of Spanish Expressions, last added: 8/23/2010
Thank you. I enjoyed very much to read this post. it was very interesting. i separate my boyfriend since I often sit in my home sad and this post was really interesting to read. Now I read another post in some blog about what How to Get Your Ex Boyfriend Back I hope it would help me. but even if a friend will come to me i will be back to read the interesting posts here :)
My Review: I'd never really thought about Castro's 1961 takeover of Cuba and its effect on children. I'd never even heard of Operation Pedro Pan, which flew lots of Cuban refugees, in their teens and younger, into the US. The Red Umbrella gives a moving, personal glimpse into the life of Lucia, just 14 years old, who is sent with her little brother to live in Nebraska.
I adored this book. The possibility that Lucy and Frankie may never see their parents again kept bringing tears to my eyes. Lucy's just a regular girl, concerned with cute boys, the latest fashions, and going to the movies with her friends. Strange things begin to happen in their little town as a result of the Communist takeover, and it's interesting to see how she learns to deal with these changes. The lessons she learns about strength, family and friendship will stick with readers long after the symbolic red umbrella makes its final appearance.
I kept wondering, if I were in her shoes, would I have fallen for all the brainwashing, the Communists' calls to "honor" and "duty" that tore children from their families and sent them into dangerous places? Would I have thought that I was doing the right thing to turn in someone who was being disloyal to the government? It's easy now with hindsight, and because I am at least twice the character's age, but I still found her reactions unsettling and was very satisfied with the character development in this book.
I also felt very connected to Lucia's culture--they use some of the same words we say in the Philippines, like "basta" and "sigue"! I love flan just as much as her little brother Frankie does (that reminds me, there's some in the fridge, BRB).
Who should read this book: Middle grade readers will have a fine time with this book. It would be interesting to know how non-Spanish speakers react to the interjected lines of Spanish. My grasp of Spanish is good enough to be able to read through and not get lost, and the glossary in the back of the book helps, too! There is a little hint of death and violence, but most of the action is happening at a remove, and is not quite so scary as it could be. I think everyone should read this book with a box of tissues. And I think Pedro Pan kids, and their kids/grandkids should read it together, and share those tissue boxes!
I've heard a lot of great things, especially after attending the signing. It piqued my interest, but I'm not sure if I will read it. The Red Umbrella doesn't fall under my favorite genres to read. I always enjoy paranormal/urban fantasy books, but it does sound like a good read and I may pick it up...someday.
I loved this book. The interjected phrases in Spanish didn't bother me but my limited Spanish was able to keep up. And yes, this is really something that I would consider multi-generational and not just a YA read. Nice review.
Those of you who teach Spanish-language classes will find this post of great interest. Colorful travelogues such as this can increase student interest in the language they are studying because they help bring the culture to life. The following essay is from a guest blogger―artist and photographer Lauren Curtis, who is a cousin of Amsco science editor (and frequent blog contributor) Carol D. Hagarty. Enjoy your blogcation!
¡Hola!Although I returned from beautiful Barcelona, Spain several weeks ago, I’ve been busy working on the two hundred 35-mm and digital photographs I shot during my trip. Now, I finally have some ready to share with you, so figured I’d make a mini on-line blog exhibit with some of my favorite images… so off we go to Barcelona!
When I visited this gorgeous city, during late May, the weather was perfect and actually warmer than usual for the time of year (in the high 80s). There was a cool breeze off the blue-green Mediterranean Sea, which was walking distance from the center of the city. I took photos of the tons of huge fishing boats along the docks as well as the modern boardwalk where people hang out and watch the water and socialize. I was so impressed by how clean Barcelona is and how it’s filled with modern sculpture and ornate architecture including the famous Art Nouveau structures by artists such as Gaudi. One of my favorite buildings of his is the Casa Battlo, which is like walking under the sea, in the body of a great ocean creature…there are NO angles in his buildings…all organic curves…like something out of a fantasy film!
Students are awaiting with anticipation the end of the school year. Very soon, it will be time to relax, go to the beach, and hang out with friends. There’s nothing wrong with these activities, especially if you worked hard during the year; but let’s not forget to keep your foreign-languages skills sharp. “Use it or lose it,” as the saying goes . . . Reading is a great way to keep your foreign-language skills sharp and avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” You won’t consider reading as a chore, if you find something interesting; and there are plenty of interesting titles out there.
If you want to work on your Spanish, I recommend Platero y yo, by Nobel-Prize-winning Spaniard Juan Ramón Jiménez. The story of a man and his pet donkey, Platero y yo is mistakenly thought of as children’s literature, but in reality it’s a very adult book that deals with deep existential questions.
If Italian is your preferred language, I recommend Il fu Mattia Pascal (The Late Matthew Pascal) by Nobel-Prize-winner Luigi Pirandello. Il fu Mattia Pascal is a comedic novel about a man who realizes that his life is dreary and lacking purpose. While traveling, he’s mistakenly declared dead by his wife and he then decides to move on and assume a new identity elsewhere. But events beyond his control drive him to fake his death and then try to return to his original life, with further complicatio
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Cinco de Mayo, which literally translates into May 5, is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Over the years, many people have come to believe, mistakenly, that this holiday is a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the outnumbered Mexican army over France at the Battle of Puebla, in 1862.This victory was short-lived, and French forces eventually gained control of the country, occupying it until 1867.
Nowhere in Mexico are Cinco de Mayo celebrations more colorful than in the province of Puebla, where the battle took place. They include fiestas, dancing, decorations, food, and brightly colored dresses. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is specially celebrated in states such as Texas and Southern California.
How can you bring Cinco de Mayo to life for your students?
·Review Lesson 20, Fiesta,from Spanish Is Fun, Book 1 to help students learn vocabulary related to celebrations and food.
·Play a video explaining the significance the Cinco de Mayo celebration.
1 Comments on Bring Cinco de Mayo to Your Classroom!, last added: 5/7/2010
One cousin in America and one cousin in Mexico write letters back and forth describing their lives. Carlitos lives on a farm in Mexico with all sorts of animals. Charlie lives in a city filled with skyscrapers and lights. The lives of the two boys are contrasted with one another from food and games to shopping and celebrations. Underlying the differences though are the similarities between the boys with their energy and strong communities. Tonatiuh’s art strengthens this tie between the boys, making this book a cohesive whole.
Students learning Spanish will find the words peppering Carlitos’ part of the story interesting and useful. They serve to add more than flavor to the text, strengthening the text and tying it more closely to Mexico. Tonatiuh’s text is simple and interesting, allowing for a glimpse of two different lives. It is his art that will really get this book off the shelves. He combines a primitive feel in the characters faces and bodies with a modern collage technique that uses digital components. The juxtaposition of the two makes for dynamic art that show both boys living with tradition and modern components to their lives.
A successful book about cousins who have plenty of differences but also lots in common, this book will be useful for young students learning Spanish. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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1 Comments on A Beautiful Barcelona Blogcation, last added: 7/13/2010
This post doesn’t include what rights are given up or retained by the author of the submissions. I don’t mind giving up rights to a published piece but sometimes they retain all rights to rejected ms too. I almost submitted to a contest that said in the small print, “all submissions become the property of ___”. Why they would want a lot of rejected ms I can only guess. Is there any way to find out about the rights they give?