Lectura Books Launches Five New Bilingual Titles in Spring 2012

Nation’s only bilingual children’s book publisher dedicated to Parent Involvement works to improve educational opportunities for Latino families.

Lectura Books, the nation’s only bilingual children’s book publisher dedicated to Parent Involvement, today announced that it will be releasing five new titles in May 2012. The books focus on building vocabulary, English-language proficiency, and increased home reading routines for preschool and early elementary children and their parents.

According to the US Census, Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States. One in four children under the age of five is Hispanic. But Hispanics have the lowest education attainment in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

In a recent report released by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education, President Obama stated “There is no doubt that the future of the United States is inextricably tied to the future of the Hispanic community.”

“It makes sense to publish books and parent involvement curricula for the fastest growing population of the ELL segment,” says Katherine Del Monte, Publisher of Lectura Books.

Del Monte explains, “Parents who speak Spanish are very interested in being involved in their child’s education, but often do not know how to help their children because the homework is in English. Bilingual books allow parents to participate. They can read the story in Spanish and learn new English vocabulary with their children at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for children, parents, schools and for our society.”

Birdie Flies Away / Pajarillo se va volando
Story by Kat Aragon | Illustrations by Andrea Yomtob
ISBN: 978-1-60448-022-1 | Paperback | $8.95
8” x 10” | Ages 2 to 4 | 24 pages
Bilingual in English & Spanish
Pub Date: MAY 2012

Young preschoolers will find comfort in this delightful story about a little bird that slowly gains the courage to leave his nest and explore the world. Includes an illustrated bilingual glossary of vocabulary found in the book.

I See the World / Yo veo el mundo
Story by Tom Luna | Illustrations by Christina Song
ISBN: 978-1-60448-020-7 | Paperback | $8.95
8” x 10” | Ages 2 to 4 | 24 pages
Bilingual in English & Spanish
Pub Date: MAY 2012

"The parallel texts in English and Spanish introduce animals under the sea, in the forest and on the farm. Children learn names of familiar items in the backyard, at the playground, and in the garage. Christina Song's collage illustrations use simple shapes and clear colors to make finding the named objects easy."  Minnesota State University, Center for Children's /Young Adult Books.

This charming vocabulary-building book for the preschool set will help children improve and expand their knowledge of English and Spanish words. Includes a bilingual glossary of vocabulary found in the book.

The Many Faces of Max / Las muchas caras de Max
Story by Katherine Del Monte | Illustrations by Susan Arena
ISBN: 978-1-60448-025-2 | Paperback | $8.95
10” x 8” | Ages 2 to 4 | 24 pages
Bilingual in English & Spanish
Pub Date: MAY 2012

This simple concept book about facial expressions will teach young children how to recognize and describe feelings while learning empathy and new vocabulary.

Letters Forever / Cartas para siempre
Story by Tom Luna | Illustrations by Laura Alvarez
ISBN: 978-1-60448-024-5 | Paperback | $8.95
8” x 10” | Ages 5 to 8 | 24 pages
Bilingual in English & Spanish
Pub Date: MAY 2012

"The intergenerational intimacy comes through clearly and should leave readers
thinking about faraway relatives of their own."  Kirkus Reviews

This heartwarming story explores a girl’s relationship with her grandfather in Mexico through letters they send to each other over many years. Includes a bilingual glossary of vocabulary found in the book and corresponds to state standards on letter writing.

The Oldest House in the USA / La casa más antigua de los Estados Unidos
Story by Kat Aragon | Illustrations by Mary Jo Madrid
ISBN: 978-1-60448-016-0 | Paperback | $8.95
8” x 10” | Ages 5 to 8 | 24 pages
Bilingual in English & Spanish
Pub Date: MAY 2012

"A quick and charming glimpse of our history, with a whiff of the supernatural for extra gusto."  Kirkus Reviews

This fascinating book tells the little-known history of the so-called “Oldest House in the USA,” a Pueblo-style home in Santa Fe, NM that is thought to be 700 years old. Includes a bilingual glossary of vocabulary found in the book.

ABOUT LECTURA BOOKS [www.lecturabooks.com]

Founded in 2001, Lectura Books is the nation’s only bilingual children’s book publisher dedicated to Parent Involvement. Together with its partner program, The Latino Family Literacy Project, Lectura Books is committed to enhancing literacy skills by helping parents and children learn strong language and establish family reading routines. Lectura Books has received numerous awards for its beautifully illustrated titles, including the Moonbeam Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award and the International Latino Book Award.

An Interview with Rudolfo Anaya by Lawrence Bridges

In honor of the many Latino authors who have been banned by the Arizona Board of Education, and the brave men and women who participated in the Librotraficante Caravan in objection. May you enjoy this short conversation with esteemed author, Rudolfo Anaya.

March's Libro del Mes: The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

by Meg Medina

This month's choice for the Libro del Mes is a little different from most of the ones we have chosen in the past. Instead of a picture book for younger children, we have chosen The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind, a novel for young adults.

It is written by new Latina author, Meg Medina, who recently won the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award for her book, Tía Isa Wants a Car.  Tía Isa was fun and well written and I enjoyed reading it with my children. But The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind left me engrossed, wanting more from Ms. Medina.

Many of you have asked us to review books for older children, so I am delighted to recommend this one. It is the story of 16-year-old Sonia Ocampo, a young girl from a village in the mountains. Sonia takes a job in the big city trying to escape the responsibilities of serving as the village protector, sent by God, a position she received at birth when she was born during the worst storm Tres Montes had ever seen - and yet not a soul was lost. Over the years, Sonia struggles with the burden of being the village intercessor, listening to the worries and wishes of her neighbors and family, and praying on their behalf because she "has God's ear." She longs for a normal life and the chance for romance with one of her sweet classmates, an orphan who yearns to become a poet. But when one of her classmates is killed despite her prayers, Sonia is faced with the bitter realization that she has no special powers and leaves to find comfort and normalcy far away. Until misfortune befalls her family and Sonia must return to face her past...and her future.

Medina has a beautiful writing style - intimate and descriptive. I was very moved at the end of the book. There is a hint of magical realism throughout, but it is not overwhelming, rather just enough to make the reader wonder about the possibility. In addition, Medina tackles a topic that exists in many countries around the world today which is the migration of young generations away from their small towns to find work in big cities.

This book is definitely for young adults as some of the subject matter is a bit violent (a young boy is robbed and killed in the beginning), but it is not prevalent throughout the book.

Teachers and parents, this book is great for studies about Latin American culture, milagros, class differences, parental expectations, responsibility, and many others. Best suited for young adults.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind  is released today, March 13th, and is available in our online store.  Here is the book trailer, if you'd like to take a look...