Board Books by Jorge Uzon

Chilean born Jorge Uzon is a photojournalist who has worked in some of the world's most difficult and tragic places, including Guatemala. His work has been included in Agence France-Presse's compilations of best photographs numerous times. Jorge's photos have been shown across Europe and Latin America, and he has won many awards. He is now a recipient of an Ontario Arts Council grant to document the disappearing world of the Chilean gaucho.

In this board book series for children, published by Groundwood Books, he brings his skill very close to home, photographing his own baby from the moment of birth to his first steps. For families with infants, this series is a great addition to your family library.

Research has shown how babies learn literacy skills beginning at birth. This does not mean you begin teaching your babies to read right after they are born, but rather that you develop their enjoyment of reading from the start. Reading on a regurlar basis to your infant, not only builds strong relationships, but also promotes positive associations related to reading.

Many resources state that babies like board books with photos of other babies. I witnessed this with my own children, who were engaged by pictures of faces - especially of other babies. With this in mind, Uzon's collection of baby board books should enrapture your own baby, too.

To purchase your own copies, visit Groundwood Books.

Books about Martin Luther King Jr. in English and Español

Here is a list of books to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 17. Go to your favorite library or bookstore. Enjoy! ¡Diviértete!

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Mrs. Park's Class
Celebra El Dia De Martin Luther King Jr. Con La Clase De La Sra. Park

By Alma Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy

The students in Mrs. Park’s class prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘s Day by thinking about the values he taught. Contains an informative section on Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Picture Book Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Un Libro Ilustrado Sobre Martin Luther King, Hijo

By David A. Adler. Illustrated by Robert Casilla.

A brief, illustrated, biography of the Baptist minister and civil rights leader whose philosophy and practice of nonviolent civil disobedience helped American blacks win many battles for equal rights.

Happy birthday, Martin Luther King.
Feliz cumpleaños, Martin Luther King

By Jean Marzollo. Illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney.

An introduction to a great civil rights leader. In commemoration of his peaceful fight for freedom and change. The stunningly illustrated, best-selling portrait of the famed civil rights leader and the times in which he lived is a poignant and touching tribute to an American Hero.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life of Determination
Martin Luther King Jr. : una vida de determinación

By Sheila Rivera

Do you know...? How Martin Luther King Jr. helped black people in the United States? How Martin fought peacefully? How Martin showed determination? Read this book and find the answer.

Read about Martin Luther King, Jr./ Lee sobre Martin Luther King, Jr

By Stephen Feinstein

Bilingual series for ESL and English speakers trying to learn Spanish- Great for beginner reports- Supports the History/Social Studies, ESL/Spanish Language Arts, and Reading curricula- Illus. with color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations- Contains large, easy-to-read type, timeline, glossary, further reading, Internet addresses, and an index.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Jonatha A. Brown

Based on Martin Luther King, Jr. (Trailblazers of the Modern World series) by Adela Q. Brown -- T. p. verso.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 23) and index.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day / Día de Martin Luther King Jr.
Our Country's Holidays/ Las fiestas de nuestra nación

By Sheri Dean

This bilingual series is ideal for English Language Learners. It supports a key topic in the early social studies curriculum- our nation's holidays- and provides students with an introduction to United States history. Using lively, full-color photographs and easy-to-read text, each title explores a different holiday and explains why it is significant. Beginning readers will also learn how the holidays they celebrate in their families and communities are observed across the nation.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day : honoring a man of peace.
El día de Martin Luther King, Jr. : honramos a un hombre de paz

By Carol Gnojewski and Carolina Jusid

Civil rights leaders are people who make sure that the laws of the United States are fair for everyone, regardless of their race, religion, or gender. One of the most influential men of our time was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Martin Luther King Jr. Day
El Día de Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Mir Tamim Ansary

Introduces Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, explaining the historical events behind it, how it became a holiday, and how it is observed.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 31) and index.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated Bryan Collier

This is one of my favorite books! It is not in Spanish yet.

This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Doreen Rappaport weaves the immortal words of Dr. King into a captivating narrative to tell the story of his life. With stunning art by acclaimed illustrator Bryan Collier, Martin's Big Words is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America" and the world" forever.

An Illustrated Treasury of Latino Read-Aloud Stories

An Illustrated Treasury of Latino Read-Aloud Stories

The World's Best-Loved Stories for Parent and Child to Share

edited by Maite Suarez-Rivas

Translated into Spanish by Alma Mora

We are definitely starting this year off right! Today, I want to share another book with you that I discovered last year, and which immediately found a place of honor in our family library. Do not be fooled by the textbook-like cover. Nor is this your typical children's book, but rather a collection of fine literature carefully edited to be read-aloud and enjoyed by family members of any age.

An Illustrated Treasury of Latino Read-Aloud Stories is a beautiful collection of 28 stories that truly reflect our Latino history, culture, and traditions. Suarez-Rivas has divided the book into five sections:

• Myths and Legends of Pre-Columbian Cultures
• Fables and Riddles
• Fairy Tales and Stories
• History

• Spanish-American Literature of More Recent Times

Each section contains a diversity of material from Latin America that is rich in imagination and steeped in cultural folklore. For instance, in the story of The Lost City of El Dorado, we read about the Chibcha Indians who once lived in the area now known as Colombia and Panama, and best known for their expertise in goldsmithing. In The Dwarf Who Became King, we learn the Mayan folktale about the importance of doing good, and how laziness and selfishness only leads to loneliness. Other stories in this large book include, The Fall of Quetzalcoatl and the City of Tula, The Elephant and His Secret, The Haunted House of Ponce de Leon, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, and even an excerpt from Rudolpho Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima, to name a few.

An impressive group of illustrators have contributed to the book: Ana López Escrivá, Luis Fernando Guerrero, Margaret Ringia Hart, Alex Levitas, Ruth Araceli Rodriguez, and Shannon Workman. And though this is not published in a picture book format, their incredible art accentuates and brings to life the vivid stories within. A section is included in the back of the book giving a brief description of the artists.

I especially love how each story is presented twice; once in English and a second time in Spanish. Parents will love this book for it's sophisticated stories and classic feel. Teachers will absolutely love this collection for the multitude of topics that they can cover. A few possible themes might be: creation stories, mythology, folklore, fairy tales, fables, ancient cultures, Aztecs, Maya, Taínos, the Southwest, and many others. This book is best suited for children ages 4 and up. 

To purchase your own copy of An Illustrated Treasury of Latino Read-Aloud Stories, 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. 

January's Libro del Mes: ¡Olé! flamenco

¡Olé! flamenco

written and photographed by George Ancona

The LBBC’s recommendation for January’s Libro del Mes, is George Ancona’s ¡Olé! Flamenco.

I am extremely excited to start off the New Year by sharing this new title that I found in my mailbox last month. Published by Lee & Low books, ¡Olé! Flamenco, is a fascinating exploration of the Spanish dance. From its beginnings in Southern Spain, to the elements that identify it, photo-essayist, George Ancona, describes this passionate, colorful, and explosive art form that is often passed down from one family member to another.

The story begins by introducing us to Janira Cordova, a young girl from Santa Fe, New Mexico, who is following in her family’s footsteps by learning the beautiful dance of her ancestors at a Santa Fe dance company called Flamenco's Next Generation. Ancona’s beautiful pictures brings us inside the classroom for a quick look at the student's schooltime, then they take us around the world to Spain and back, to learn about the three main parts of the dance – song, dance, and music – and each one is described in some detail. Young children will enjoy seeing the rich (and dramatic) facial expressions of the cantaores, as well as the boldly patterned costumes, traditional musical instruments, and fluid body poses. Ancona really does a lovely job expressing the movement, beauty, and emotion of this subject.

While the text is predominantly English, there are certain words and phrases (duende, palmas, rasgueado, etc.) that are not translated, though they are defined. There is also a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back of the book. This is Anacona's seventh book dedicated to a dance style.

I think parents and teachers will love this book for its historical narrative, which is carefully written for young readers to understand. They will certainly be engaged from page one. A great read for children ages 4 and up.

On his website, George Ancona states, "as a photographer, I can participate in other people's lives...producing something that can be shared and has a life of its own." I think that he has accomplished exactly this in ¡Olé! flamenco.

If you would like to buy your own copy of ¡Olé! flamenco, 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.