Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla, a Pura Belpre Honor book, is surely a hit for toddlers and preschoolers. The short lines of text encourage participation in these age groups. “Fiesta Babies go out on the town—right-side up and upside down!” The “Fiesta Babies” are celebrating a local Hispanic holiday. They are wearing brightly colored clothes and handmade crowns (coronas). The Spanish words sprinkled throughout the book can be understood in context. These Fiesta Babies dance, march on parade, and sing along to mariachi songs in their spirited celebration of fiestas. Children are introduced to the many colorful aspects of an important and lively Latino cultural tradition. See this book listed in our catalog
Foreign Culture
Say Hello
First Rain
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
First Rain by Charlotte Herman, illustrated by Kathryn Mitter. Abby and her family are moving to Israel, where a lot of Jewish people are moving every year. But Grandma is not coming. Abby’s family has dreamed of living in Israel. They will have lots of new adventures like learning a new language, eating new foods, and seeing new places. Grandma gives Abby a plane letter to read on her way. When Grandma gets home, there’s a letter from Abby waiting for her. After the plane takes off, Abby wonders how long it will be before she sees rain. It doesn’t rain all summer in Israel. How long will it be before she sees Grandma again? Abby remembers how she and Grandma used to go out and splash in the puddles wearing their yellow slickers and boots. Abby talks to Grandma on the phone, and writes letters to Grandma. She describes the places she has visited, the new things she is eating, and what it’s like to not be able to sink in the Dead Sea! Finally, early one morning, Abby hears raindrops. She hurries downstairs to open the front door, and there in a yellow slicker and boots is Grandma! See this book listed in our catalog
Book Fiesta
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora. April 30 is Children’s Day (El Día de Los Niños) and also Book Day (El Día de Los Libros) in many Spanish speaking countries, and everyone is excited! Libros (books) can be read in many different places. This book shows children reading in a car, a plane, and on trains. You can read to your animals. Ask your child where they like to read! A little girl has a wagon filled with books, and a little boy is running with a few books tucked under his arms. Another little girl is carrying a banner announcing the special day. Children can read in different languages, they can read by themselves, or read with un amigo (a friend). Many children read at the library! This bilingual book has bright Hispanic colors that make it very eye catching. There are also suggestions in the back of the book on how to celebrate Children’s Day. See this book listed in our catalog
Planting the Trees of Kenya
Submitted by special guest blogger Ms. Amy from the Lexington Park branch!
An inspirational true story about my favorite type of hero: one who sees a big problem and finds “small” ways to set things right, Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire A. Nivola is a great way to start a conservation conversation with your children! Wangari Maathai grew up in the mountainous highlands of Kenya, where she learned love and respect for the natural world in all its “simple” beauty. When she returns after attending college in the U.S., she is shocked and saddened by the ecologically damaged landscape of her homeland. She begins teaching her neighbors how to preserve the few trees that are left by saving seeds and planting seedlings. With time, hope, and tireless persistence, her efforts eventually grew to include her entire country and all its people, motivating people around the world to follow her example. This heartwarming tale beautifully demonstrates the concept of “everyday” heroism. Using simple language and luminous watercolor illustrations, Nivola brilliantly showcases Wangari Maathai’s life-long message of environmental responsibility. See this book listed in our catalog
The Goat-Faced Girl
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
Princess stories have been around forever, and there is hardly a little girl out there who doesn’t appreciate a good one. But what about a story in which a young girl works hard, and is able to give the “bird brained” prince his just desserts? In The Goat-Faced Girl, an Italian folktale retold by Leah Marinsky Sharpe, and illustrated by Jane Marinsky, the young heroine, as lovely and intelligent as she might be, is as lazy as a bed bug. Her dear sorceress mother fears for her daughter’s future as a lazy lump. With a bit of magic, some cookbooks, and some hard work, our heroine learns that perhaps spending your life being waited on by servants with a boring lazy prince is not the best option. Maybe hard work and a brain will win out over beauty after all! See this book listed in our catalog