Posts
I am so happy to present to you the official blog of the Latin Baby Book Club! The LLBC has been an inspiration and is my way of supporting our children’s education while providing yet another resource for Latino parents. I have several goals with the formation of the book club and this blog.
First, I want to encourage families to spend time reading together. I think all parents should spend part of each day reading to their children to develop a love of learning and to spark their imaginations.
Second, I want to promote books that are bilingual or describe Hispanic culture and traditions. I have commented before in my other blog, Mi Cielito Lindo: A Latina’s Guide through Motherhood, how slowly many of our cultural traditions are being lost with the passing of our abuelitos and the evolution of America. Toys and electronic games are quickly replacing traditional children’s games and Latin American folksongs and nursery rhymes are being forgotten. I’m all for progress, but sometimes it just makes us lazy or keeps us from being as smart as we could be.
My third goal is to support Latino authors and songwriters who are writing down our traditions to save them for future generations. You artists are developing understanding and even acceptance in an age of ignorance and intolerance. For this I commend you. You are the whispers of our past and you give voice to la sangre hispana that is coursing through our veins. Thank you.
In this blog, you will find reviews of bilingual songs and literature for children (ages infant to young adult), book suggestions for Latino parents, interviews with emerging and established authors, the official LBBC's Book of the Month/Libro del Mes, special events being held at local libraries and/or bookstores, and mucho, mucho más!
We have a line-up fantastico of bloggers who will be contributing to this blog each month. Together they bring their Hispanic heritage (Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua and Cuba) to the table and I am so happy to have such a diverse representation of the Spanish-speaking world at the Book Club. Please welcome (in alphabetical order):
Aurora Anaya-Cerda, owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore, an independent bookstore and café which will open later this year in East Harlem. Her on-line store and Barrio Book Club can be found here.
Christianne Meneses Jacobs, publisher and editor of Iguana Magazine, the entirely Spanish-language magazine for children ages 7 to 12 years.
Violeta Garcia-Mendoza, a writer and poet, the blogera from Multi-Culti Mami has a column appearing in Literary Mama and conducts workshops on-line for beginning mama poets.
Carrie Ferguson Weir is the co-owner of Los Pollitos Dicen, a designer line of bilingual children’s wear. Carrie is also the voice behind the popular blog, Bilingual in the Boonies.
And me, Monica Olivera Hazelton, owner of Latin Baby, an on-line boutique that specializes in baby products for Hispanic American families.
Show your support of these incredible women by visiting their web sites. A link to their on-line pages can be found in the side bar.
First, I want to encourage families to spend time reading together. I think all parents should spend part of each day reading to their children to develop a love of learning and to spark their imaginations.
Second, I want to promote books that are bilingual or describe Hispanic culture and traditions. I have commented before in my other blog, Mi Cielito Lindo: A Latina’s Guide through Motherhood, how slowly many of our cultural traditions are being lost with the passing of our abuelitos and the evolution of America. Toys and electronic games are quickly replacing traditional children’s games and Latin American folksongs and nursery rhymes are being forgotten. I’m all for progress, but sometimes it just makes us lazy or keeps us from being as smart as we could be.
My third goal is to support Latino authors and songwriters who are writing down our traditions to save them for future generations. You artists are developing understanding and even acceptance in an age of ignorance and intolerance. For this I commend you. You are the whispers of our past and you give voice to la sangre hispana that is coursing through our veins. Thank you.
In this blog, you will find reviews of bilingual songs and literature for children (ages infant to young adult), book suggestions for Latino parents, interviews with emerging and established authors, the official LBBC's Book of the Month/Libro del Mes, special events being held at local libraries and/or bookstores, and mucho, mucho más!
We have a line-up fantastico of bloggers who will be contributing to this blog each month. Together they bring their Hispanic heritage (Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua and Cuba) to the table and I am so happy to have such a diverse representation of the Spanish-speaking world at the Book Club. Please welcome (in alphabetical order):
Aurora Anaya-Cerda, owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore, an independent bookstore and café which will open later this year in East Harlem. Her on-line store and Barrio Book Club can be found here.
Christianne Meneses Jacobs, publisher and editor of Iguana Magazine, the entirely Spanish-language magazine for children ages 7 to 12 years.
Violeta Garcia-Mendoza, a writer and poet, the blogera from Multi-Culti Mami has a column appearing in Literary Mama and conducts workshops on-line for beginning mama poets.
Carrie Ferguson Weir is the co-owner of Los Pollitos Dicen, a designer line of bilingual children’s wear. Carrie is also the voice behind the popular blog, Bilingual in the Boonies.
And me, Monica Olivera Hazelton, owner of Latin Baby, an on-line boutique that specializes in baby products for Hispanic American families.
Show your support of these incredible women by visiting their web sites. A link to their on-line pages can be found in the side bar.
So if you are a Latino parent looking to find reading material for your niños that encourages cultural pride not shame, or if you’re a non-Latino parent looking for a way to supplement your child’s bilingual education, then you have found the right place! Bookmark this site or join our mailing list and enjoy the beauty and richness of being bilingual.
Happy reading a todos!
Monica
Happy reading a todos!
Monica
