Gracias

We at the LBBC would like to say "Gracias. Thank you." to all of our wonderful readers for your support and your efforts to raise bilingual children or to connect with children from a different culture. You have helped us to grow and you inspire us to keep exploring the great books and music that we share with you each month.

As our month of Thanksgiving draws to a close, I’d like to encourage you all to make cada día a day of thanks in the lives of your children. By helping your children to develop their sense of appreciation for the little things in their lives, you give them a lifetime of hope, optimism, sincerity and happiness. Have you ever heard a depressed person say, "I’m thankful for the sun/ for a good book/ for the love of my family"? Take un momento pequeño with your kids everyday to say, "Gracias." And you’ll be amazed at how it will affect not only your child, but you as well!

I’d also like to remind you all about our end of the year Book Drive for Starr Readers. Perhaps as you go through your child’s room to make room for all the wonderful books they’ll be receiving this Christmas, you may find some gently used books that your child has outgrown. Won’t you please consider giving these precious gifts to the children in Starr County, most of whom live in colonias where books are a luxury? If you’d like to read more about our partnership with Starr Readers, click here.

To round out this month, here are some more wonderful libritos for your family to enjoy...

Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra.
A touching story, told by un niño, of all the precious moments in his daily life for which he is thankful. These moments include the members of his familia, as well as all the little things that enrich his life. This book may be used at any time of the year by parents and teachers to discuss the things that are important to children. The book is written with full text in both Spanish and English, and includes a little note from Ms. Mora to the reader in the back. The LBBC highly recommends this book for children ages 4 – 8.


Gracias te damos by Cacique Jake Swamp, illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr., translated by Lidia Díaz
A beautiful tribute to Mother Earth for all her many blessings, this story is told through the eyes of Native Americans. This Spanish-only version, clearly states our relationship with Nature. It is a Reading Rainbow Book that may be read at any time of the year. Discussion topics include similarities in cultures and families, wildlife conservation, social responsibility, recycling, and a number of biology themes. Geared for children ages 4- 8.

You can find both of these books here in our shop, or by clicking on our shop button in the sidebar.

We look forward to sharing some wonderful new books this coming month. So be sure to keep us bookmarked, or better yet, subscribe to our blog so you won’t miss any of the great giveaways we have lined up!

November's Libro del Mes: Gracias el pavo de Thanksgiving

Gracias
El Pavo de Thanksgiving
By Joy Cowley
Illustrated by Joe Cepeda

The LBBC’s recommendation for November’s Libro del Mes, is Joy Cowley’s Gracias: el pavo de Thanksgiving.

If you’re looking for a heart-warming story that blends together some of the traditions of Latino culture with the American Thanksgiving holiday, Gracias is an excellent choice. The story of young Miguel, who receives a live turkey from his father, a truck driver, to fatten up for Thanksgiving. Only problem is, Miguel and his abuelos live in an apartment in New York city! The book follows the adventures of Miguel and "Gracias," as well as their budding friendship. I enjoyed how the book clearly demonstrates the love that Miguel’s abuelos have for him through the manner in which they allow the turkey into their lives. Turkey for Thanksgiving? Hmmmm. Well, how about pollo instead?

The book is available in English or Spanish. I have the Spanish version, which does use a few English words embedded in the text, but not many. The English version has some beginner’s Spanish sprinkled throughout the text as well. Both contain a glossary at the end.

Cepeda’s illustrations are very warm and engaging. His oil paintings bring to mind those of Ezra Jack Keats and easily capture a child’s attention.

An excellent multicultural book for Thanksgiving. It provides parents and teachers with the opportunity to discuss the importance of family, types of families, and things for which children might be thankful.

The LBBC has this and many other titles related to Thanksgiving in our bookshop. If you would like to buy your own copy of Gracias el pavo de Thanksgiving, please click here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store. We have both new and gently used copies available.

Duck for Turkey Day!

As the holidays approach, it's wonderful to reflect on your traditions — those you enjoy now, and those you enjoyed as a child. You can also learn a lot by comparing your traditions with those of your students, friends, and neighbors.

A great stepping stone for such a discussion — particularly in the ELL classroom — is the new book Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules. We meet Tuyet, who is very excited for Thanskgiving. She tells her mother that it is time to buy a turkey, but she is worried after learning that her family will be having duck instead — after all, it's Turkey Day, not Duck Day! When it comes time to tell the class what she ate for Turkey Day, Tuyet is in for a special surprise. This heartwarming story is a beautiful reminder of the unique ways we each celebrate our own holidays, and how those traditions blend in our diverse society.

For some additional bilingual Thanksgiving titles that represent a wide range of perspectives, take a look at Colorin Colorado's Thanksgiving Tales (also available in Spanish). You may also enjoy the books on the following booklists from Reading Rockets:

• Let's Give Thanks
• Ten Books for Thanksgiving

Happy reading, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Eight Animals on the Town

Learning how to count is a huge step for toddlers/preschoolers - at least, it has been for my daughter. Since numbers were the theme of the week at her preschool when it was my turn to volunteer to read to her class during story time, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce the numbers in Spanish.

While we were browsing the shelves of our local library - which I recently realized has a lot more bilingual books than I originally thought - we came across, Eight animals on the town by Susan Middleton Elya. A bilingual counting book. Perfect!

True to its title, Eight Animals on the Town, is about ocho animales - a mouse, a cat, a dog, a frog, a horse, a bird, a pig and a cow - who go to el mercardo so they can each get something to eat. The story is told in rhymes and it includes more than just the numbers in Spanish. Kids can learn other vocabulary including that related to animals and the foods they like to eat.
For example:

Número cinco is a young frog.
Fifth in the line behind Bird and Dog.
Frog hops along hungry for flies.
"Moscas," says Rana, "economy size."

The illustration for that particular page includes the number 5 all around the frame of the image, but it also provides the chance to introduce even more vocabulary because there's a picture of five different jars containing insects like gusanos and hormigas - and labeled accordingly in both languages. The same goes for all the other numbers.

Speaking of the illustrations, not only are they vibrant, but they reflect Mexican folk art, making it fun just to look at them.

I'm not sure how much my daughter's classmates actually learned, but it was definitely fun introducing them to some Spanish vocabulary through, Eight Animals on the Town.

I Know the River Loves Me/ Yo sé que el río me ama

Listen. . . Can you hear the river calling you? Rushing and bubbling, splashing or still, the river has so much to teach us.

Whenever Maya visits the river, the river jumps up to greet her. It cools her down when the summer sun is too hot, and holds her up when she dives in. It keeps her company in the quiet of winter. The river takes care of Maya and Maya takes care of the river.

In this gentle story of love and respect for nature, Maya Christina Gonzalez combines her award-winning talents as an artist and storyteller. Young readers will be inspired by the joy and wonder of being outdoors, and learn powerful lessons about their environment and themselves.

Maya Christina Gonzalez is an acclaimed fine artist, educator, and award-winning children's book illustrator. This is the second book that she has both written and illustrated. She has also created artwork for 20 other children's books, including: My Colors, My World, My Very Own Room, and Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems.

LBBC's End of Year Book Drive for Starr Readers

As the end of the year approaches, we at the LBBC are launching one last book drive in support of a wonderful program that shows true compassion and determination.

Starr Readers was created 5 years ago by flight attendant, Karen Furlong, who wanted to make a difference in the lives of some of the poorest children in the country. Located along the US/Mexico border, Starr County is home to many children living in colonias, where books are a luxury that take a backseat to food and clothing.

Since starting Starr Readers, Karen has personally loaded up her car and delivered thousands of books to the children and libraries of Rio Grande City. Over the years, companies like Barnes & Noble have supported Starr Readers by giving Karen a discount off of their children’s books. This year, Scholastic is showing their support as well. The LBBC applauds Karen’s commitment and selfless spirit.

Below you will find an article that appeared last month in the Dallas Morning News. And if you’d like to read more about Starr Readers, please visit their web site, http://www.starrreaders.com/ where you will find links to many other articles, interviews and letters of appreciation.

The Latin Baby Book Club has already proven to have some wonderfully generous readers, and so dear Amigos, we are asking you once again to open your hearts. Why not clear out some room on your family bookshelf in preparation for all the new and wonderful books your child will receive this holiday season? You can recycle these books and help Starr Readers at the same time. They are currently looking for donations for this year’s trip. You may donate gently used books by sending them to: Starr Readers/LBBC Book Drive, 3125 Damascus Way, Dallas, TX 75234. Karen will also accept monetary donations (no cash, please). Karen says that books that are sent to her will be donated to the elementary libraries and monetary donations will go towards a new, paperback for as many grades as the money will stretch.

The target age groups are Pre-K through 5th grade, and Karen is especially interested in books that are Pura Belpre Award winners.

Below you will also see a picture of the librarians from the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District who have received donated books. Let’s continue to help them in their efforts to help children dream.

Farmers Branch book campaign helps South
Texas children write a new chapter

by Mercedes Olivera

Dallas Morning News, Oct 31st, 2009

It's a 10-hour drive, with only a couple of stops along the way for gas or to grab a bite.
But the no-frills journey to Rio Grande City in South Texas has become the highlight of the year every holiday season for Karen Furlong, a Farmers Branch resident.

This year, she will drive down the week before Christmas to deliver almost 4,000 books to some of the poorest children in the country – those living in the colonias in Starr County along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"There are lots of kids there who live in nice homes and go to private or parochial schools," said Furlong, a flight attendant for a private jet company. "But there are just so many who don't, whose families had hoped for something better for their kids."

As Furlong sees it, books can open up worlds to kids who need to know their lives can be different. Most of the families in the colonias live with no sewer service and little health care. Schools in the area are not among the best-funded in the state.

Furlong envisions the day when she can drive a bus down and hand-deliver books to the children.

"The goals are getting bigger," she said. "But the basic aim is to get children to love reading. We know now that if they're not reading by third grade, we may have lost them."

Her love of books is what motivated her to start her passionate mission five years ago, when she began raising funds and collecting new books from relatives, friends, co-workers and businesses. Along the way, she's also collected new donors and a new publisher.

With Scholastic as her partner, she'll be able to buy several thousand new books this year. Last year, she bought 600. That means 3,000 kids will each get a book, and nine elementary school libraries may end up getting 100 new hardcover books each, she said.

Among these will be a Laura Ingalls Wilder set of Little House books for each library and The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla for every fourth-grader.

She also hopes to buy children's books by Pura Belpré Award winners – outstanding Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work celebrates Latino culture.

The public can send donations to Starr Readers at 3125 Damascus Way, Dallas, TX 75234. Or check out http://www.starrreaders.com/.

Each year brings a greater number of supporters and bigger rewards, and Furlong takes another step toward becoming a nonprofit organization.

Every dollar donated goes toward book purchases, she said. She and her family pay for the gas and the cost of renting a vehicle.

It's worth it, in her eyes.

"I love the place," she said, having spent summers and holidays there with her grandparents.

"I know it's poor, and it's dusty. But those little towns along the border – they're a part of Texas, too."

Confetti: Poems for Children by Pat Mora

Confetti: Poems for Children, is beautifully written book by prolific author, Pat Mora. Thirteen bilingual poems fill this book, including Castanet Clicks, Mexican Magician, and Dancing Paper. Each free verse poem explodes with imaginative movement and color. The accompanying illustrations by artist Enrique O. Sanchez, complement the words by reflecting the essence of the words.

Written predominantly in English, there are Spanish words scattered throughout the text.

An excerpt from my favorite poem, "Abuelita’s Lap,"

"I know a place were I can sit
and hear a favorite beat,
her heart and cuentos from the past,
the rhythms honey-sweet."

An excellent book for older children exploring the Hispanic culture, it would also be useful for reading aloud to learn rhythm.

To pick up your copy, click here.