THE STORYTELLER'S CANDLE/ LA VELITA DE LOS CUENTOS

Author (last name first):
Gonzalez, Lucia

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press; Bilingual edition (March 28, 2008)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

Kindergarten and Up

Classification: Fiction 

This story is about shedding the light on one's culture though literature. In this book, a librarian named Pura Belpre brings the magic of literature to the Puerto Rican community living in New York. She enlightens the people by using a candle to symbolize that through literature, dreams are created, imagined, and come true. By Senora Belpre inspiring the community to dream they were able to bring the warmth and beauty of Puerto Rico to New York. 
This is a bilingual book. It won the Pura Belpre Honor book, and Jane Addam's children's book award. There is a short biography about Pura Belpre on the last page of the book. The illustrations are great; they are layers of oil washes and paper collage on bristol paper. There are bits of the actual New York Times newspaper throughout the book; it is dated January 6th, 1930. It has information that relates to the story on that specific page of the book. There is a glossary in the back and the words are in Spanish while the definitions is in English. 

Reviewed By: Cristen Delgado (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class) 

MAGIC WINDOWS/ VENTANAS MAGICAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Author (last name first):
Lomas Garza, Carmen

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press/ Libros para Ninos/ 1999

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

Ages: 9-12

Classification: Non-Fiction 

 

In this book the author marvelously describes her paper cutout art. She relates the art to our ancestral beginnings. The connection that she makes between her art and her own family is beautiful. In this book Carmen tells us that her grandmother taught her how to make the paper cutouts. She shares a short story about her grandfather and his vegetable garden. I would definitely make this book part of my classroom reading collection. She always makes a point of explaining Mexican heritage and culture through her creations because every piece has its own story. I believe that it is imperative for educators to expose their students to cultural literature, and this selection is a perfect example. 

 

Reviewed By: Dianira Rios (Midwestern State University Student in Dr.  Linda Prieto's Class)

 

MY DIARY FROM HERE TO THERE/ MI DIARIO DE AQUI HASTA ALLA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Perez, Amanda Irma

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press; First Trade Paper Edition edition (April 14, 2009)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

9-12

Classification:Non- Fiction 

This book would be a great choice for any bilingual education teacher to have and use for different educational purposes. This book would be appropriate for any age group to read. The book relates well to what immigrants who have made the journey here to the United States. It can be used in various situations to engage the student and recollect prior knowledge. It is also an interesting piece of literature for the students to read. 
The author is actually telling her story about when she was a little girl. She used to keep a diary of her daily activities as she was growing up. The diary entries for this book were when her family and she had to make transition. The transition consisted of her family having to move due to the lack of work in Ciudad Juarez. The family decided to move to California where migrant workers could obtain jobs working out of the fields harvesting crops. She writes about how the Mexican and the USA border resembled each other. Their first stop was in Mexicali were her family would stay with her grandmother. She writes about all the wonderful relative that she met and how she spent time while her dad was in California working to save money and bring them to the states. They finally made that transition to the USA after her dad had made enough money and they obtained their green cards to live in America. 
I found it very interesting that she writes in the end of her book, "quizas algun dia cuando sea grande, escribire la historia de nuestro viaje!" This became a reality for her, when she wrote this book. I would be very interested if she kept her diaries and looks at the entries she made as a child. 

Reviewed By:Carlos, Perales (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

THE LEGEND OF FOOD MOUNTAIN/ LA MONTANA DEL ALIMENTO

Author (last name first):
Rohmer, Harriet

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press (CA); Spanish Language edition (October 1982)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

4th-8th

Classification: Fiction 

This book is a retelling of an Aztec legend, were the God of the Western Hemisphere, Quetzalcoatl, creates man. In creating man he needs to find a way to deed them, none of the gods can help him and when he does find enough food to last them forever, it is stolen by the rain Gods. That is why when there is a shortage of food, the people gather and pray to the rain gods to bring them food. 

This is a good book I would recommend for elementary grades as a folk story; or as an introduction to Mexican legends for students in Jr. High and High school. This book is full of colorful Aztec symbols and designs. Some pictures are hard to make out what is going on, but the book explains some of the designs in the back which is very helpful.

Reviewed By: Andriana Prieto (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

LA RANA Y SUS AMIGOS SALVAN A LA HUMANIDAD

Author (last name first):
Villasenor, Victor

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Pinata Books; Bilingual edition (February 28, 2009)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

4th-8th

Classification: Fiction  

This book gives children an explanation of why we as humans were created and placed in this world with all the animals and insects. The explanation of mankind is given in this book in a fun and humorous way. The story begins by giving us a brief view of how all of the animals on Earth were each obligated by Mother Nature to have a specific job. However, everything changed on the planet when suddenly an odd two-legged creature appeared as the season was changing to spring. All the animals were confused and they could not understand why this creature did not look like any of the animals that were already in existence. The animals felt that the new creature would not be able to survive the way of the world because it looked to small and too weak to protect itself. The animals on Mother Nature's planet all contemplated on what to do with this new creature until the lion said. " Let's eat him." All of the other animals began to feel like the lion and they wanted to eat this new creature since there would be no way the creature would survive. Suddenly, the fat frog stopped the animal from eating the creature and said that just because the creature looks too small and innocent to protect itself it does not mean that they should eat it. He said that when he began his lifetime on Earth that he too was small and weak, but with time he grew up to become the biggest frog on the planet. Therefore, this creature could grow to be something big and wise like the frog. 
That frog had a good point and the animals agreed to help this creature survive. As the animals were all thinking of how they could protect this creature they heard someone pass gas. The noise came from the creature that just kept smiling and passing gas. All of the animals laughed hysterically and uncontrollably. Then suddenly the animals all understood the purpose of why this new creature was put on this planet. The new human creature was put on the planet to bring all of the animals back together though laughter. Therefore, from that day on all of the animals became close friends and they witnessed how this small two-legged creature grew into a wonderful human being. 
This book is filled with a lot of colorful pictures that depict the story being told. Reading this book is a fun way of telling children that every one here is put on this world for a reason. We are all fortunate of living on this planet and we should live our life to the fullest. No matter what we decided to be when we grow up, we will always be a big part of the world that needs us to survive. 


Reviewed By: Adela Martinez (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

I KNOW THE RIVER LOVES ME/ YO SE QUE EL RIO ME AMA

 Author (last name first):
Gonzalez, Maya Christina

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press/ 2009

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

4th-8th

Classification: Fiction  

Bright illustrations with flowing lines first draw readers to Maya Christina Gonzalez's book, " I Know the River Loves Me- Yo se que el rio me ama." This book is about a young girl and how she knows the river loves her. The little girl speaks fondly of the river and all that it does to show its love. The translation from English to Spanish is accurate which is the key to bilingual literature. The personification of the river is clearly visible and would lead to meaningful classroom discussions. This is a book that would be good to have in both the school and home library.

Reviewed By: Erica Gonzales ( Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

THAT'S NOT FAIR! EMMA TENAYUCA'S STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE

Author (last name first):
Tofolla, Carmen and Teneyuca, Sharyll

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Wings Press; Bilingual edition (April 1, 2008)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

9th-12th

Classification: Non-Fiction  

Emma, a young girl, sees many unfair situations everywhere she goes. She didn't know how to help until she realizes that small jestures of kindness can make big differences. As a teenager she began talking to large crowds about the injustices she saw all around in parks, and even on the steps of city hall. As an adult, she helped pecan sellers gain better pay and better working conditions. 

I would recommend this book because it is easy to get into and you cannot wait to turn the page. Every page is filled with color from end to end. This is a book teachers should have in their classrooms so young girls can see that they too can make a difference. 

Reviewed By: Andriana Prieto (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

 

SIP,SLURP,SOUP,SOUP; CALDO, CALDO CALDO

Author (last name first):
Gonzalez, Diane

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Pinata Books/1996

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

3rd-5th

Classification: Fiction 

 

These types of books are my favorite because the story is both in English and Spanish. Readers can get a taste of both worlds and can see how the stories for both languages are written. This book was very good, reminding me of my mother's caldo. Hispanic students may be able to relate to eating this delicious soup as Alexandra, the protagonist, goes through the anticipation of eating her mother's caldo. This story begins by telling the reader about the caldo, and how it is made and what goes in it. As the story goes on, the reader may feel the anticipation that Alexandra is going through. At the end of the story, there is a recipe for making caldo, which may be a great thing to do in a classroom or as a parent.

Reviewed By: Gladys Moreno (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

 

WE ARE COUSINS/ SOMOS PRIMOS

Author (last name first):
Betrand, Diane Gonzalez

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Pinata Books/2007

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

Primary

Classification: Fiction 

This is a great picture book for younger kids learning to read. Most Hispanics may be able to relate to this book. If they grow up with the ups and downs of having a large family. I have a large family consisting of many cousins in both my mother's and father's side and was able to relate to the cousin relationship this story portrayed. The illustrations are beautiful, showing how any Hispanic families live. I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers for their children. 

Reviewed By: Gladys Moreno ( Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

COUNTING OVEJAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Weeks, Sarah

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division/2006

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

Pre- K through Kindergarten

Classification: Non-Fiction 

 

The book," Counting Ovejas" is about a young girl who is having trouble falling asleep after her parents tuck her in at night. She begins to hear the sound of the faucet and the ticking of her clock in her bedroom. The young child notices that all these noises make it harder for her to fall asleep. The child then places her hands on her ears and tries to ignore all the unique sounds around her, but she still can not fall asleep. All of a sudden, a white sheep appears right in front of her. Then she sees two brown, three black, four pink, five green, six red, seven turquoise, eight violet, nine blue, and ten yellow sheep. After counting all of the sheep in her bedroom, the young child finally falls fast asleep.

This is a good book for children of a young age who are learning to count because this book includes the numbers one through ten. This book is also filled with many beautiful colors that could also be used to teach children. Therefore, the children who are reading this book get an opportunity to see the use of many colors with the incorporation of learning how to count. This book is meant for the fun and joy and to encourage children to follow the old idea that if a person cannot sleep then they should simply begin counting ovejas. 

 

Reviewed By: Adela Martinez ( Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class) 

MY COLORS, MY WORLD/MIS COLORES, MI MUNDO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Gonzalez, Maya Christina

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Book Press/2007

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

1st and Up

Classification: Fiction 

 

With beautiful colorful illustrations and easy to read words, Maya Christina Gonzalez has created a great book that relates colors to the environment. 'Mis Colores, mi mundo; My colors my world' is an English to Spanish book about a young girl living in the desert who sees colors such as red, pink, and purple in her everyday life. The translation from English to Spanish is accurate which will be a very useful tool for teaching in bilingual classrooms. All the content is true to its real world counterpart, and provides children the opportunity to see the colors that happen to be in their very own environment. This book will be popular among bilingual teachers in Kindergarten, but will also be a good book for parents who are raising bilingual children to have their own home library. 

 

Reviewed By: Erica Gonzalez (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class) 

PABLO AND PIMIENTA

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Covault, Ruth C.

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Northland Publishing/ 1994

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

1st and Up

Classification: Fiction 

 

This is a story of courage, bravery and survival. It is cold, dark , rainy morning. Pablo, his father, and uncle are on their way from Mexico to Arizona to work in the melon fields. Pablo is riding in the back of the truck when suddenly he falls out from the back of the truck. His dad does not realize Pablo is missing and crosses the Mexican boarder leaving Pablo alone in the desert. The young boy forms and unlikely friendship with a young coyote named Pimeinta. Together they overcome their fears. They take a dangerous  journey through the desert and are determined to find their way back to the young boy's father. This book is a bilingual book, and the illustrations capture the mood of the story. 

 

Reviewed By Cristina Delgodo ( Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class) 

LA GALLINITA ROJA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Author (last name first):
Galdone, Paul

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Scholastic en Espanol (July 1, 1992)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

4th-8th

Classification: Fiction 

La Gallinita Roja is the old folkloric story of the Little Red Hen retold in Spanish. It is a nice entertaining simple story that can be great to teach children manners and the advantages of hard work. It can also be used to teach about what animals eat, plant growth, plant uses, or even chores and farm life. The book has colorful pictures of the hardworking Red Hen, and her lazy friends: the cat, the dog and the mouse. This book is filled with  humor to indirectly portray teamwork and collaboration. The poor little red chicken spends the whole day working tough to cook a delicious cake and asks the other animals to help her. All of her animal friends refuse to help her, and in the end when she asks who is going to help her eat the cake, all her friends want to be a part of this last step, but the clever chicken laughs at them by eating the whole cake on her own. In the end, the other animals learn that they must work for what they want in order to obtain the fruits of the end result. 

Reviewed By: Citlaly Rivas (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

 

COMO CRECEN LOS GATITOS

Author (last name first):
Selsan, Milicent E.

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Scholastic Trade; Spanish Edition edition (January 1993)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

Kindergarten- 2nd

Classification: Non-Fiction 

This book, Como crecen los gatitos ( How Kittens Grow), is a book translated in Spanish about different physical and behavioral characteristics cats go through the first eight weeks after they are born.  The book has endearing photographs of small kittens that look like small mice when they are born. The book narrates the development of kittens' independence and growth as their mom teaches them how to hunt, eat, walk, and adapt. The book describes time and growth through the cat's experiences and changes they face while adjusting to their environment. This book is designed for kids in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade. It is a great way to introduce your child to pets and help her/him differentiate and compare growth in certain animals and humans. This book can also help young children understand and know why small kittens are often aggressive when they are just babies for not being able to see very well and fear of being away from their cat mom. At the end of this informative book, the author gives a valuable piece of information that tells the reader that by the end of eight weeks the kittens have learned many things and do not depend on their mother as much, therefore this is the best time to purchase or adopt a cat. A lesson, that helps children learn and realize when it is appropriate for kittens to leave their mothers to be a part of the child's family. 

Reviewed By: Citlaly Rivas (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class) 

ROOSTER/ GALLO

Author (last name first):
Lujan, Jorge

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Groundwood Books; Bilingual edition (March 31, 2004)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

3rd-4th

Classification: Fiction 

Rooster Gallo is a bilingual book. The book uses a poem to describe a rooster and the night. The book has short simple sentences and wonderful pictures that fill two pages per line of the creative poem. The color that is mostly used is blue because the poem illustrates the sky of the day. It uses a rooster singing to announce the day with the entrance with the sun. In the end the rooster eats the stars of the night to clear the sky and start a new day. The book can be used for phonological awareness since it uses a poem to attract the children's  attention. The author's use of powerful words and figurative speech allows adults who are reading this book to their children or students to enjoy this symbolic poem. The book should be read with rhythm to let the student experience how words flow in a different style. This book can be helpful for teachers when introducing opposites to a class such as day and night. The rooster is the main focus of the book and he is on every entrance of a new line. At times he is just a shadow or he is the formation or a shape of a cloud/s. The author portrays the rooster as the leader of the day to show the reader/s its traditional role of opening the day by singing when the sun comes up. 

Reviewed By: Citlaly Rivas (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)  

MAMA ZORRA Y DON COYTE/ MOTHER FOX AND MR. COYOTE

Author (last name first):
Villasenor, Victor

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Pinata Books; Bilingual edition (January 2004)

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

3rd-4th

Classification: Fiction 

The book Mama Zorra y Don Coyote- Mother Fox and Mr. Coyote retells the famous Mexican folkloric tale about the wise Mother Fox and the hungry Mr. Coyote. This bilingual book is well written in both Spanish and English. The author has respected the grammatical rules of both languages and it is easy to follow. The book has vivid bright pictures to attract the reader's attention. The colorful illustrations introduce us to the clever Mother Fox, who tricks Mr. Coyote when they lose track of time. Mother Fox is terrified for her three little foxes, and watches the scary coyote who is drooling in front of them. She tells the Coyote to eat her, and leave her three little foxes alone. Mr. Coyote refuses, but thanks to Mother Fox's cleverness and the light of the moon, she is able to come up with a creative plan to escape. Mother Fox tricks the scary hungry Mr. Coyote by offering him a big delicious fresh cheese that is in the pond. She tells him that in order to reach it, he must drink some of the water first. The greedy Mr. Coyote falls for the trap, and after realizing he has been tricked its too late. He is too full with water and does not feel like chasing after the foxes. The book can be used for "story time" for children from Pre-K to 8th grade. The book depicts the role of a real life mother, who is caring and ready to sacrifice her life for her children to protect them. The book teaches us, that as parents or teachers, we must have fun with our children, but at the same time we must be alert and we must prepare them to face the different obstacles life will bring to them.

Reviewed By: Citlaly Rivas (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

FRIENDS FROM THE OTHER SIDE/ AMIGOS DEL OTRO LADO

Author (last name first):
Anzaldua, Gloriea

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press/1997

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

3rd-4th

Classification: Fiction

The book Friends from the Other Side is a bilingual fiction that is based on two different cultures with in the same Latin culture its self. Joaquin, who was born on the other side of the Rio Grande River, which is the Mexican- U.S border, crossed the river with his family because of the low social economic situation in his country. Joaquin and his family begin to notice the same hardship here in the United States while trying to make a better live for themselves. Two children from the same Latino culture become friends after noticing their social status. The author informs and uses realist situation that take place with in the Latin families daily living circumstances that are not part of the American culture. 

This book is a good prediction book and gives lots of information to be used for a DLTA. Also, this book contains good vocabulary in Spanish and could also be used as a read aloud for students. Any child who understands Spanish in English can read and enjoy the marvelous story. The book is second to fourth grade  age appropriate. The illustrations are eye appealing to any age group. The colors and details that are presented in this book are fabulous and could be picture read. The pictures in this book show a sense of pride for the Mexican heritage and children who read this book will feel it after reading it. 

Reviewed By: Florencio Barron (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)

WHERE FIREFLIES DANCE/ AHI,DENDE BAILN LAS LUCERNAGAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Corpi, Lucha

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Children's Book Press/2002

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

3rd-4th

Classification: Fiction

 

This is an excellent book that expresses Mexican culture and value with in Latin heritage. This is an autobiographical story focusing on the author's childhood memories growing up in Jaltipan, Vercruz with her family. The book focuses on the love of music and story telling with in her family. The book also focuses on a story that Lucha's grandmother told her as a child. It is a story that is told throughout the community and is well known to the citizens of Jaltipan. Lucha now tells her grandmother's stories to her children hoping that they will pass them on to their children. 

The book is rich in color and contains gorgeous pictures. It is an excellent read aloud book and is appropriate for third and fourth grades. This book could be read for inspiration showing how it is important to find each individual's destiny in the world. 

Reviewed By: Florencio Barron (Midwestern State University Student in Dr. Linda Prieto's Class)