New Release from Pat Mora in Time for Valentine's Day: Dizzy in Your Eyes

Per request, we will be adding a few titles throughout the year for teen readers. We are happy to start off with the latest title from Pat Mora. Wouldn't this be a great Valentine's gift?

A collection of fifty poems about love: Shared and unrequited. Lasting a moment and lasting a lifetime. Love for a pet, a sport, music. And love for a boyfriend or girlfriend, family, our world. This collection explores the intensity, pain, and beauty that love brings - from first crush to love's bloom, from a breakup catastrophe to starting over. Love is an experience that makes us think: No one has felt like this. Ever. It can make us look at someone and feel dizzy in his or her eyes.

Reading Level: Teens/High School

“From family and school to dating and being dumped, the subjects in these 50 poems cover teens’ experiences of love in many voices and situations. Several entries incorporate Spanish words and idioms, as in “Ode to Teachers,” a moving tribute in English with a Spanish translation … Mora writes in free verse, as well as a wide variety of classic poetic forms—including haiku, clerihew, sonnet, cinquain, and blank verse—and for each form, there is an unobtrusive explanatory note on the facing page. The tight structures intensify the strong feelings in the poems, which teens will enjoy reading on their own or hearing aloud in the classroom.”—Booklist

February's Libro del Mes: Arroz con leche

Arroz con leche

Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America

Selected and illustrated by Lulu Delacre

The LBBC’s recommendation for Feruary’s Libro del Mes, is Lulu Delacre’s Arroz con leche.

The LBBC is terribly fond of Latino children’s literature that celebrates the oral traditions of our childhood. And despite the diversity of our Latino culture, there is comfort and warmth in the knowledge that many countries share the same (or similar) arrullos, folksongs, nursery rhymes and finger plays. So, naturally, we have featured several and are glad to add one more.

Delacre’s book is one of the first of its kind to have found its way into publication. It was published in 1989 by Scholastic, the largest publisher and distributor of Spanish-language books in the U. S. It prints over 100 bilingual or Spanish-language books per year.

Not many Latinos grow up without learning the popular children’s song, Arroz con Leche. But when Delacre went in search of a book that taught about it and other Latino folksongs for her own children, she was disappointed. Seeing the need, she began selectin the most popular songs from Latin for a book. She partnered with Elena Paz, who wrote the English lyrics, and Ana-María Rosado, who created the musical arrangements.

The end result is a valuable collection of traditional nursery rhymes and finger plays told throughout the Latin America. She credits the countries of Puerto Rico, Mexico and Argentina for the songs’ origins, but I would hazard to guess that they could be heard in numerous other countries as well.

The content is varied and includes favorites such as ¡Qué lina manito!; Aserrín, asserán; Naranja dulce; and, of course, Arroz con leche.

How many of you recognize the following?

Estaba la pájara pinta

Sentada en un verde limón,

Con el pico recoge la hoja

Con la hoja recoge la flor.

¡An, ay, ay! ¿Dónde estará mi amor?

If you would like to buy your own copy of Arroz con leche, 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.

The 2010 Pura Belpré Award Winners

The 2010 Pura Belpré Awards have been announced!

Named for the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, the Pura Belpré Award is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

For your convenience, we have a special section in our on-line bookstore which includes the books of this year’s winners, as well as all previous winners of this special award. Just click on our store image in the sidebar and then click on the Pura Belpré category.

To learn more about the Pura Belpré Award, click here.

This year’s winners include the following books:

Author Award

Return to Sender, written by Julia Alvarez.

Julia Alvarez explores the thin line that separates American citizens and undocumented persons in her brilliantly told novel, "nder." After Tyler’s father is unable to maintain the family farm, he hires undocumented workers, resulting in an interdependent relationship that mirrors current social and political conditions in the United States. Alvarez humanizes a situation by giving a voice to millions of immigrants experiencing similar hardships. This outstanding novel about the solidarity between two children of different cultures will resonate in the hearts of readers of any age.

Illustrator Award

Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros, illustrated by Rafael López, written by Pat Mora.

Rafael López utilizes vibrant colors and applies magical realism to show that the love of reading is universal. Through a series of fanciful images, the author depicts Latino children inviting children of other cultures into their book fiesta, leading the reader on a visual journey that shows that reading sparks the imagination across all cultures and has the power to unite us. This informational children’s book will also serve as a valuable resource to those planning El día de los niños/El día de los libros in their communities.

Author Honor Books

Diego: Bigger Than Life, written by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, illustrated by David Diaz.

Federico García Lorca, written by Georgina Lázaro, illustrated by Enrique S. Moreiro.

Illustrator Honor Books

Diego: Bigger Than Life, illustrated David Diaz, written by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand.

My Abuelita, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Tony Johnston.

Gracias Thanks, illustrated by John Parra, written by Pat Mora.

Spanish Language Creative Writing Contest

For our readers in Nebraska, you might see if your students/children would be interested in submitting to the following writing contest:

The University of Nebraska is sponsoring a Spanish language writing contest about Latino's and Latin American immigrants' contributions to communities across Nebraska. The contest is open to children in grades 5 through 12.

Submissions are accepted in the following categories: Poetry, Short Narrative, and Essay.

First, second, and third prizes in each category will receive $100, $50, and $25 gift certifcates respectively.

The goal of the contest is to celebrate the Spanish language and encourage its creative use among bilingual, heritage speakers, and speakers of Spanish as a second language.

The deadline for submitting to the contest is March 5th, 2010 and the winning entries will be displayed in May at the Ollas Cumbre 2010/Fourth Latino/Latin American Summit of the Great Plains.

For more information, or to download your registration form, visit their website here.

Baseball on Mars/ Béisbol en Marte

by Rafael Rivera and Tim Hoppey

Illustrated by Christina Rodriguez

A boy and his father bond over a game of catch on the Red Planet

Roberto's dad speaks in Spanish when he gets upset, and boy, is he unhappy today! His lucky chair-the one he sits in to watch his beloved New York Yankees play-is missing. And he needs it for the afternoon game against the Red Sox!

Roberto is excited, too. He's about to take off to Mars on his home-made rocket ship, and his dad's lucky chair makes a perfect pilot's seat. When his father finds that the missing chair has become part of the rocket ship in the backyard, he grudgingly tells Roberto he can use it-for now. But it needs to be returned before game time.

Roberto's dad is skeptical about the rocket ship. "You might have a problem getting off the ground," he says. "You're forgetting one little thing-you don't have an engine!" Soon, he finds himself invited along as co-pilot. And during the exciting flight to Mars, Roberto helps his father rediscover his imagination as they experience an amazing blastoff, wayward asteroids, and even weightlessness. 

When they finally land, Roberto surprises his father with two baseball gloves and a ball. "Today's baseball game is on Mars," he tells his dad. After spending the day playing catch, father and son realize that they speak the same language on the Red Planet. And his dad doesn't even mind that he missed the Yankees' game!

Children ages 4-8 will want to embark on their own mission to Mars after reading this story that combines vibrant illustrations with a touching story about a father and son's afternoon adventure.

El tesoro de los clásicos infantiles

From time to time I stumble upon really great finds. One of my most recent successes has been a nearby shop that opened right before Christmas. The absolute best part of this shop is their book selection. And tucked in a corner is a small section of books in Spanish for children.

One of the many treasures I found there was El tesoro de los clásicos infantiles. It is a thick book with 10 English classics that have been translated into Spanish. Definitely not for beginners, the translations are complex and dynamic and expertly done by Claudia González Flores and Arlette de Alba. The language is rich and detailed – perfect, I think, for encouraging and even inspiring bilingual children. Parents of toddlers who are fluent in Spanish and are looking for ways to supplement their language development will absolutely love this book.

In addition, the illustrations are very well done, with each story using a different artist. The entire book has been thoughtfully arranged and the layout is sophisticated and classic.

The ten stories included are:

• Robin Hood
• Heidi
• La Isla del Tesoro
• El Robinson Suizo
• Los Viajes de Gulliver
• Azabache (Black Beauty)
• El Jardín Secreto
• Alí Babá
• Los Tres Mosqueteros
• Anita de Green Gables

I have one copy in my possession that is new but has a minor crease in the binding. Normally, this book retails for $17.95 (which is what you will find it listed for in our bookshop), but this particular copy is for sale in the Latin Baby boutique for $12.95. You can also find Clásicos Infantiles in our bookshop by clicking on the button in our sidebar.

January's Book of the Month: Growing Up with Tamales

Growing Up with Tamales
Los tamales de Ana
By Gwendolyn Zepeda
Illustrated by April Ward

The LBBC’s recommendation for January’s Libro del Mes, is Gwendolyn Zepeda’s Growing Up with Tamales/Los tamales de Ana.

Growing Up with Tamales is an imaginative story that centers around the family tradition of making tamales. The tale is told from the perspective of six year old Ana, who yearns to be just like her big sister, Lidia. Two years younger than her sister, Ana imagines what her life will be like when she is Lidia’s age…at eight, ten, 12, 14, 16, and finally 18. The funny ending is sure to amuse its readers!

The book itself is written with complete text in both English and Spanish. The copy that I received, however, is from Lorito Books and is an audiobook set. The accompanying CD is read by Denver stage actress, Gabriela Cavallero, whose expressive rendition in flawless English and Spanish will delight listeners of any age.

April Ward’s illustrations are warm and colorful. She does a remarkable job depicting Ana as she "grows up" into a young woman. And the character’s faces are expressive, telling stories in themselves.

Growing Up with Tamales is a Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Recommended Title and a Tejas Star Book Awards Finalist.

A great book for children with brothers and sisters. Parents and teachers can discuss the topics of families, sibling dynamics, family traditions, added responsibilities that come with age, and what the child reader hopes to be like as he or she grows older.

If you would like to buy your own copy of Growing Up with Tamales, 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.

If you would like to order this book with the accompanying CD, click here to visit Lorito Books.

¡Felices Pascuas from the LBBC!

As the end of the year quickly approaches, we would like to send all of our readers a virtual abrazo in appreciation for your support and well wishes. We hope you all are spending these final weeks in the warm embrace of your familias and are creating special memories to cherish for years to come.

We will be coming back strong this coming year with plenty of book reviews, interviews and giveaways. I hope you will continue to use the LBBC as a resource for educating your children and enriching your lives. We always welcome your comments and suggestions, so do not hesitate to contact us.

From all of us at the LBBC, we hope you are enjoying a joyous holiday season y que tengan un Prospero Año Nuevo!

Reading: The Perfect Gift

If you are looking for bilingual gift ideas this year, take a look at Colorín Colorado's new gift guide, also available in Spanish!

We have included children's holiday titles in English and Spanish as well as bilingual books, magazines, and musical CDs from José Luis Orozco, Lulu Delacre, Plaza Sésamo,and Putumayo, just to name a few!

For ideas in English, take a look at these book ideas for kids of all ages from Reading Rockets and AdLit.org:

• Books as Gifts 2009 Booklist (Ages 0-9)
• Books as Gifts 2009 Booklist (Ages 9-18)
  
• Ten Books for the Holiday Season

Many of the titles featured may also be in your local library if you're looking for some holiday fun!

Finally, don't miss our holiday activity ideas related to reading and learning:

• Learning That's Hands-On Holiday Fun for Preschool Children (also available in Spanish)
• Creating Learning Traditions (also available in Spanish)

Happy holidays from Colorín Colorado!

December's Libro del Mes: A Piñata in a Pine Tree

A Piñata in a Pine Tree
A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas
By Pat Mora
Illustrated by Magaly Morales

The LBBC’s recommendation for December’s Libro del Mes, is Pat Mora’s A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas.

A wonderfully imaginative story based on the popular song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, A Piñata in a Pine Tree follows a sweet little girl who receives fantastic gifts from her secret amiga. From dos pastelitos to seis trompos girando to ocho pajaritos serenando, this book does a great job of putting a Latin twist on the traditional Anglo carol. And the surprise ending will tie the story together nicely.
The book is written with both English and Spanish text interwoven together. Geared for more advanced speakers, the terminology is complex not simple, but readers have been given a glossary for reference in the back.

Morales’ illustrations are bold, beautiful and full of movement. The gifts are introduced in vibrant colors and depicted in a way that they practically jump off each page to embrace the reader. It is impossible not to finish reading this book without wanting to start over again.

An excellent book for Christmas, Spanish-speaking families will enjoy the cultural references and images. It provides parents and teachers with the opportunity to discuss the holidays, similarities and differences between American and Latin American traditions, Día de los Reyes Magos.

It’s not too late to order this book for Christmas delivery! If you would like to buy your own copy of A Piñata in a Pine Tree, 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.

New Sponsor: Lorito Books

The LBBC welcomes its newest sponsor, Lorito Books.

A few months ago, while reading through some marketing materials for the Fourth International Book Fair in Dallas, I discovered a new independent publishing company, Lorito Books. I was intrigued by the idea of bilingual audiobooks for children. So you can imagine my delight when I received an email from Pam Fochtman, the company’s President, asking about a sponsorship.

Lorito Books is a company that supports many of the same goals that we do here at the LBBC: developing second language literacy and promoting the beauty of Latino culture. They believe that audiobooks are a valuable tool to accomplish these goals.

Their high quality, word-for-word audiobook read-alongs for young readers and second language learners are carefully chosen for their culturally relevant content and values. Their products include Growing Up With Tamales/Los tamales de Ana, The Desert is my Mother/El desierto es mi madre, Icy Watermelon/ Sandía fría and other popular titles in Latino children’s literature.

I am eagerly looking forward to sharing with you some of their fabulous products over the next couple of months (and maybe even a giveaway or two!)

So take a moment to show your support and stop by Lorito Books’ web site to learn more about the history of their company and their products.

Muchisimas gracias to Lorito Books, we’re so happy to have you join us!