A Sweet Song for Hispanic Heritage

This year, Hispanic Heritage Month took me by surprise – I was still in back-to-school mode when I realized it was already the 15th of September!  As I thought about what I wanted to do on Colorín Colorado in honor of Hispanic Heritage, I thought about all of the wonderful bilingual books that have been published over the past few years and all of the titles we had not yet added to the website. 

I decided that I would update our Hispanic Heritage booklists in a big way this year – not just adding a few favorites, but adding a lot of favorites! So I started combing through catalogs, recommended reading lists, and the shelves of our public library to see what we were missing. (The librarians in Arlington County, VA were very patient with me as I checked out and returned stacks upon stacks of books at a time.)

The result is a whopping 25 – yes, 25! – new and updated booklists organized by topic.  My hope is that the thematic organization will make it easier to use these books all year long, not just during the months of September and October. 

I did a lot of reading for this project and enjoyed it thoroughly – there were so many gems along the way.  One book, however, stands out, and that is a book published more than ten years ago, Grandma’s Records by Eric Velasquez (author and illustrator of the Pura Belpré award-winning sequel, Grandma’s Gift).

The story of a young boy visiting his grandmother in Spanish Harlem and listening with her to her old records, which bring back memories of the life she left behind in Puerto Rico, is quiet, yet profoundly stirring. Grandma plays the records in the apartment, dancing in the living room with her grandson and teaching him all about the music that fills her heart with love and longing.  There is one song, however, that transports and transforms her; when the two of them see the song performed live at a concert in the city, the impact of the moment is breathtaking.  It must have been for young Eric too, inspiring him to write about it all of these years later.

That, to me, is what celebrating your heritage is all about – remembering the moments and people who defined you, who helped you understand who you are, who instilled something important in you…even if you didn’t realize it at the time.  That is the singular opportunity we have when we find a book like Grandma’s Records and read it with a young child. What a gift our authors and illlustrators give us when they share those moments with us in a beautiful book, inspiring a new generation of children to do the same.

Related Resources
 

• Asian Pacific American titles
• American Indian/Alaska Native titles 
• Immigrant Stories
• Culturally Relevant Books in the ELL Classroom

 

Uno Dos Tres: My First Spanish Rhymes

 

 

Uno Dos Tres

 

My First Spanish Rhymes

Selected by Yanitzia Canetti

Illustrated by Patrice Aggs

Last month, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books released a new book of Latin American rhymes for children. The collection of rhymes are assembled in eight educational themes: ¡A pasear! (Let's Travel!),  ¡Al campo! (Let's Go to the Country!), ¡A la granja! (Let's Go to the Farm!), ¡A cover! (Let's Eat!), ¡A estudiar! (Let's Study!), ¡A jugar! (Let's Play!), ¡A casa! (Let's Go Home!), and ¡A dormir! (Let's Go to Sleep!). All the passages included in each section help teach children basic concepts. From counting to good manners to healthy habits, your kids will enjoy learning Spanish while listening to the CD included with the book. Bilingual families will also appreciate this collection of endearing songs to pass on to their children.

Written with full text in Spanish, there is a section in the back with notes in English about each passage. The notes include translations of some of the phrases, as well as explanations of each rhyme. In addition, Aggs’ beautiful illustrations also include Spanish labels to help older children who can read to recognize key words and increase their vocabulary.

My favorite? What else?

Mi escuelita, mi escuelita,
yo la quiero con amor
porque en ella, porque en ella
es que aprendo mi lección

You can find a new or gently used copy of Uno Dos Tres: My First Spanish Rhymes in our online store. Enjoy!

 

Papertigers Global Voice

I was a global voice on the Papertigers Blog during the month of July.
 

PaperTigers Website highlights the world of young readers’ books. It features multicultural books in English from anywhere in the world, with a particular focus on the Pacific Rim and South Asia. In addition to interviews with authors and illustrators and a rich Illustrators’ Gallery, the website offers a wealth of articles, book reviews, reading lists, and many other book-related resources.

 

The blog also provides news and views on multicultural and international books, and world literacy; recommended readalouds; a monthly calendar of children’s literature events, and more.

I wrote about my life during the war in El Salvador, my life as an immigrant in the United States and my recent trip to El Salvador. Here is a peek of my three posts. To read the entire posts visit http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/


PART 1
 

When I was a child in El Salvador, I went to school, recited poetry, played with my friends and won a hula-hoop contest on national television. I might say that I had a normal childhood. But then, everything was upside down. For many days the school closed because of civil revolts. The radio and the television always talked about the army, guerrillas and the revolution in the country. The mad game came to El Salvador. The country was involved in a terrible civil war.

Read more at 
http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/papertigers-global-voices-rene-colato-lainez-usael-salvador/

PART 2
 

 

For Christmas of 1984, my mother sent me a new pair of shoes from the United States. I still remember my father’s words, “These are good gringos shoes. These are very good shoes for the trip to the United States.”

On February 17 1985, my father and I left El Salvador. Two days later, we arrived in Mexico City. Then, we were stuck in Mexico City for almost two months. We could not continue our journey because Mexican immigration took all the money from my father. It wasn’t until April that my mother sent us more money for our trip. During my journey, my father and I crossed three countries and climbed the mountains from Tijuana to the United States. But we made it to Los Angeles. My shoes were not new anymore. They had holes everywhere. One shoe was missing the sole.

After the book was made he did a great storefront sign with it. Use the cover and made it look so great!

Read more at
http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/papertigers-global-voices-rene-colato-lainez-usael-salvador-part-2/

PART 3

 

 

In the winter of 2010, I received a call from Salvadoran children’s book author Jorge Argueta. He and his wife Holly Ayala were organizing a children’s poetry festival in El Salvador and he was inviting me to present at the festival. For one reason or another, I had not gone back to El Salvador since my father and I had left the country and moved to the USA. I did my math: 2010 – 1985= 25. Twenty-five years away from El Salvador! It was time to go back.  I was returning to my homeland as a teacher and as an author.

Read more at
http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/papertigers-global-voices-rene-colato-lainez-usael-salvador-part-3/



saludos,

René Colato Laínez
www.renecolatolainez.com
 

 

Save the Date Bilingual Storytelling and Family Concert!

A message from José Luis Orozco


 

Hello Friends,

Please join me for a great concert where you will find fun and exciting music that will make your kids sing, dance, clap, and laugh all while learning basic language and literacy skills that engage them in an interactive musical experience!

Bilingual Storyteller, Antonio Sacre to join José-Luis

I will be joined by American bilingual storyteller, author and performance artist Antonio Sacre. His storytelling recordings have won numerous awards, including the American Library Association’s Notable Recipient Award, the Parent's Choice Gold and Silver Awards, and the National Association of Parenting Publications Gold Award. He was awarded an Ethnic and Folk Arts Fellowship from the Illinois Arts Council.

 

 

 

FREE Admission!

When:

Wednesday July 18th - 7pm

Where:

Memorial Park Stop
85 E Holly St.
Pasadena, CA 91101

 

 

 

Alicia's Fruity Drinks / Las aguas frescas de Alicia

 

By Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Illustrated by Laura Lacámara   
Translated by Gabriela Ventura
 

• ISBN 9781558857056             
• Published 31 May 2012    
• Bind Hardcover    
• Pages 32        
• Age Group 5-8

 

A girl teaches her teammates about a delicious Mexican drink

Seven-year-old Alicia and her parents are enjoying the annual festival celebrating Mexico’s independence. There are mariachis strolling across the festival grounds, folkloric dancers twirling in their colorful costumes and brightly colored booths lining the plaza.

But the hot day has made Alicia thirsty. Her mother suggests aguas frescas and points to a booth lined with jars of brightly colored fruit juice: there’s watermelon, strawberry, mango and even papaya. The watermelon juice is so delicious that Alicia drinks it all. “Mami, this tastes better than that red soda I drink after soccer practice. Can we make some of these at home?” Soon, Alicia is perfecting her own recipe and sharing it with her teammates after soccer practices and games.

In this bilingual picture book for children ages 5-8, a young girl discovers a treat from her mother’s Mexican-American childhood and becomes her friends’ favorite player with her healthy, frothy fruit drinks.

If you want more baby gifts be sure to look at great gift sites and you can make a gift basket with a book and some other items.

 

June's Libro del Mes: The Wild Book

 

The Wild Book

by Margarita Engle

Margarita Engle is a Cuban-American poet whose works have earned her the distinction of being a multiple literary award winner. Her novels The Surrender Tree and The Poet Slave of Cuba have made her a Pura Belpré Author Award Winner, an Américas Award Winner, and a Newberry Honor-Winning Author - just to name a few! 

But I had not had the opportunity yet to read one of her magnificent books. 

Until now.

A few months ago, I wrote to Ms. Engle and requested a copy of her latest release, The Wild Book. I was intrigued after watching a short video of her reading a passage. She was so nice and put me in touch with the publisher, who sent a copy right away.

Inspired by the childhood of Engle's own grandmother, this beautiful tale chronicles "Fefa's" struggle with dyslexia. The novel is written in verse with short poems that share important moments of Fefa's life. I read this book to my children at bedtime over several nights. I don't know why, but I always wonder if they are understanding what is being described when we read poetic works. But they asked not a single question, and quite readily repeated back to me what had transpired the last time we read. Even now, weeks later, my daughter remembers details that I don't.

Perhaps this is because the poems contain such vivid imagery. Engle is a master at crafting words into stories. At creating lives to which the reader can relate. My kids quietly reveled in each word and image. Take this poem:

The Poetry Duel

To please my mother,
the poems are Rubé Dario's
verses about swans
and flying horses,
and a strange one about
mental earthquakes,
and an angry poem
for world leaders
who try to bully
the future
with bullets.

There is a drumbeat
verse about loving
your own rhythm

and the encouraging one
about God's towers
of hope

and a joyful little verse
about eggs in a warm nest
in a warm tree.

There is even a poem
that helps me feel normal,
a comforting verse
about feeling blinded
by daydreams.

When Mamá stands up
and recites a LOUD verse-
just like a man -
she chooses the one
about gold seashells
that look like hearts.

That is how I know
that she must be dreaming
of the peaceful beach
where we camp
only once
each summer
even though we live
so close
to the rolling blue sea
that there is nothing
to stop us
from living like mermaids.

We could be discovering
undersea treasures
each day,
gold shells that resemble
wave-washed
hearts.

Teachers and parents, I would strongly recommend this book as a read-aloud for children ages 6 and up. It would go nicely with studies on culture, poetry, special needs, dyslexia, family, learning to read, and much, much more.

This book has left me eager to read more of Engle's novels. And I can certainly understand why she has received so many awards in recognition of her work.

If you would like to buy your own copy of The Wild Book, we have both new and gently used copies available here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store.

---
Disclosure: I requested a review copy of this book, and the publisher sent me one. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

LéaLa

 

LéaLa Let's Celebrate Spanish

Feria del Libro en Español de Los Angeles

 

As part of its ongoing commitment to extending its culture and arts programs for the Latino community in Los Angeles, California, the University of Guadalajara is organizing one of the most ambitious events ever held to promote Spanish: LéaLA, Feria del Libro en Español de Los Ángeles.

This event seeks to encourage reading, promote Spanish-language books and foster recognition of the Latino population, their culture and customs. LéaLA is an initiative backed by the University of Guadalajara at Los Angeles and the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL).

 

LéaLA begin its celebration of Spanish on:

Friday, May 11, 2012 and will be open from10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The book fair will run for three days in South Hall-K at The Los Ángeles Convention Center Admission is free for everyone.

For more information visit http://www.lea-la.com/en/

 

 
 

 

Will Latino Stories Sell?

Today on our sister site, MommyMaestra.com, author Laura Lacámara shares her thoughts on the current Latino children's literature market. Here is a glimpse of her powerful article...

 

 

Will Latino Stories Sell?

 

by Laura Lacámara

Lately, big New York publishers have been saying NO to making children’s books with Latino-oriented stories or themes. The sales numbers aren’t big enough to justify the investment, they say. It costs a lot to produce picture books, after all.


Well, in the not-so-distant past, before the phrase: “It’s the economy,” was rolling off our tongues a hundred times a day, there was a much more Latino-friendly atmosphere at these large publishing houses...

 

To read more, please visit MommyMaestra.com.

 

Bilingual & Bicultural Earth Day Reads for Kids

In honor of Earth Day, here is a list of the LBBC's favorite Latino-themed nature reads.

Enjoy!
 

 

Animal Poems of the Iguazu/Animalario del Iguazu

(English and Spanish Edition)

 

By Francisco X. Alarcon

 

 

 

Talking with Mother Earth: Poems

Hablando con madre tierra: Poemas

 

By Jorge Argueta

 

 

 

El Gran Capoquero: Un Cuento de la Selva Amazonica

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

By Lynne Cherry

 

 

 

When Jaguars Ate the Moon: And Other Stories About Animals and Plants of the Americas

By Maria Cristina Brusca, Tona Wilson

 

 

 

I Know the River Loves Me/Yo se que el rio me ama

By Maya Christina Gonzalez

 

 

 

Listen to the Desert/Oye Al Desierto

By Pat Mora

 

 

Beautiful Moon:Bella Luna

By Dawn Jeffers

 

Our 2012 Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros Book List

 

 

Día de los niños is almost here. If your family is looking for some titles that celebrate the diversity found within the Laitno culture, take a look at our carefully chosen list of books. We applaud the authors who created such amazing stories to introduce our children to people and families that reflect their own families' heritage.

 

You can download our book list for FREE here.

 

April's Libro del Mes: Guacamole, A Cooking Poem

 

Guacamole:

Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem

by Jorge Argueta

illustrated by Margarita Sada

 

 

Groundwood Books (Libros Tigrillo) never fails to deliver beautiful stories filled with culture and warmth. This month's Libro del Mes is no exception. Written by the poet Jorge Argueta, Guacamole: Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem is more than just a simple recipe centered around the traditional Latin dish. Instead, it is a glimpse into the world of a child who creates something special for her family using her imagination and joyful spirit.

 

Told in the first person, our narrator is a young girl for whom aguacates resemble green precious stones,  limes are like big crystal marbles, and their seeds like little pearls. This delightful book comes with full text in both English and Spanish. 

Young chefs will thoroughly enjoy this book. Immediately after reading the book, my daughter made out our grocery list to include cilantro and aguacates. I love books that call children to action and appreciate how Guacamole inspires children to get in the kitchen and put together a simple dish that everyone will enjoy.

The illustrations are so creative and engaging for young readers. I like how Sada has given the reader images that reflect the imagination of the young girl in the tale.

 

Here's a sample passage from the book...

 

Ahora le agregas sal, no mucha.

Cántale a la sal

cuando la agites,

para que como pringuitas

de llovizna blanca

caiga sobre el aguacate verde.

 

Sal salita de mi salero

échale la sal primero.

 

Ahora con el tractor de tu cuchara

remueve un pcoc la carnita verde de los aguacates.

Mueve tu cuchara hacia arriba y hacia abajo.

El aguacate se está poniendo

más blandito.

Se está volviendo guacamole.

 

Now add salt, not too much.

Sing to the salt

as you shake it

so that little spatters

of white drizzle

fall like rain on the green avocado.

 

Salt, salty salt from my saltshaker,

salt goes in first.

 

Now with your tractor spoon

stir up the green avocado flesh.

Move your spoon up and down.

The avocado is getting

softer.

It's becoming guacamole.

 

 

If you loved Argueta's book, Arroz con leche/Rice Pudding: Un poema para cocinar/A Cooking Poem, you'll love this next book in the series!

 

Parents and teachers can use this book to make guacamole with their children and then talk about the concepts of family, imagination, similes, poetry, and cooking.

 

After readding this he made these great metal signs for everyone. They were printed prefectly.

 

If you would like to buy your own copy of Guacamole: Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem, we have both new and gently used copies available here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store.