Virtual Book Tour: The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred {GIVEAWAY}

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

by Samantha R. Vamos

Illustrated by Rafael López

The LBBC’s recommendation for March’s Libro del Mes, is Samantha R. Vamos’ The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred.

A few years ago, we were proud to announce the first book of a new author. This year, we are excited to launch Samantha’s Virtual Book Tour for her second book, which released this month.

Written in the same rhyming format as that of “The House That Jack Built”, Cazuela gives this classic rhyme a bilingual twist. It all begins with a pretty farm girl who gets out her pot to start cooking something sabroso. Before you know it, the farmer and all the farm animals are chipping in – leche from the vaca, limón from the burro, etc. - each one contributing an ingredient for the bubbling pot.

The book is written in English and the reader is introduced to simple words in Spanish such as the names of the animals, and the foods they are sharing. The book introduces the words first in English, and then in Spanish so that the meaning is easily understood by non-Spanish speakers. And just in case, a glossary with a pronunciation guide has been included in the back of the book for your convenience. There is also a delicious recipe at the back of the book for making arroz con leche.

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred contains 21 Spanish words embedded in the text on every page. The repetitive format not only gives structure to the story, but also helps the reader to retain the introduced words. This book is best suited for English-dominant and bilingual families.

A sample passage:

"This is the duck

that went to the market

to buy the sugar

to flavor the LECHE

made fresh by the VACA

while teaching the CABRA

that churned the CREMA

to make the MANTEQUILLA

that went into the CAZUELA that the farm maiden stirred."

Rafael López’s illustrations are vibrant and warm and engaging, making this picture book a visual delight for children and parents alike. Through his art, Rafael helps to bring Samantha’s story to life, and he does it in such a way as to convey the underlying theme of cooperation and community within the story.

This book is suited for children of all ages. It is great for read-alouds and both infants and older children will benefit from the rhythmic text. Families and teachers will love the opportunities this book creates to discuss the following themes: rural life, farms, farm animals, food, recipes, team work/cooperation, rhyming/verse, friendship, fiestas, fantasy vs. reality, and many more. You can find an activity and discussion guide on Samantha’s website.

This week you will have wonderful opportunities to learn more about the book, as well as Samantha Vamos and Rafael López, as they share their stories with the other blogs hosting this Virtual Blog Tour. This week’s schedule is listed below.

Monday, February 28th – The Latin Baby Book Club

Tuesday, March 1st – The Tiki Tiki Blog

Wednesday, March 2nd – La Bloga

Thursday, March 3rd – Mama Latina Tips

Friday, March 4th – Spanglish Baby

THE GIVEAWAY

By leaving a comment on each blog, you will receive five chances to win a signed copy of the book. The winners will be chosen using Random.org and notified via email.

To enter the giveaway here on the LBBC, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite childhood recipe/dish.

If you would like to buy your own copy of The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred, please click here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store.

From North to South {GIVEAWAY}

It's time for another LBBC giveaway, and we are pleased to be able to offer one lucky reader a signed copy of René's latest book, From North to South. To introduce you to the book, René has created this wonderful trailer...





THE GIVEAWAY:

• To enter for your chance to win a signed copy of René's book, simply leave a comment sharing with us your family's heritage (Spanish, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Irish!, etc...). We want to know about the diversity of our readers...

The deadline to enter is Saturday, February 26th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. and notified via email next Sunday, February 27th! (So be sure to leave your email addy in the comment.)

For an additional chance to win, you can follow us on our Facebook page. Don't forget to let us know by posting a separate comment for each entry!

¡Buena suerte!

This giveaway is now closed.

Books for el amor and la amistad

February is the month of el amor y la amistad, love and friendship. Before presenting some recommended books for this holiday, let me share my favorite poem written by the Cuban poet, José Martí.

Versos Sencillos

Tiene el leopardo un abrigo

en su monte seco y pardo;

yo tengo más que el leopardo,

porque tengo un buen amigo.

Tiene el señor presidente

un jardín con una fuente,

y un tesoro en oro y trigo:

tengo más, tengo un amigo.

Simple Verses

The leopard has a coat

in his mountain dry and brown;

I have more than the leopard

because I have a good friend.

The highness president

has a garden with a fountain

and a treasure of gold and money,

I have more, I have a friend.

Lover Boy/Juanito el cariñoso written by Lee Merill; illustrated by Francisco Delgado: Cinco Puntos Press. Four-year-old Johnny loves to dish out kisses, and he counts them in both English and Spanish.

Friends written by Alma Flor Ada; illustrated by Barry Koch: Santillana.
The triangles, squares, rectangles and circles learn that by joining together, they can have more fun.

The Woman Who Outshone the Sun/ La mujer que brillaba mas aún que el sol, a poem from Alejandro Cruz Martinez ; illustrated by Fernando Olivera: Children’s Book Press.
This book retells the Zapotec legend of Lucia Zenteno, a beautiful woman with magical powers who is exiled from a mountain village and takes its water away in punishment.

Lupe Vargas and her super best friend / Lupe Vargas ysu super mejor amiga written by Amy Costales ; illustrated by Alexandra Artigas : Luna Rising.
After playing games, super best friends Lupe and Maritza have a disagreement and must figure out how to make up.

Friends from the other side/Amigos del otro lado written by Gloria Anzaldúa; illustrated by Consuelo Méndez: Children’s Book Press.
Having crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with his mother in search of a new life, Joaquín receives help and friendship from Prietita, a brave young Mexican American girl.


What is your favorite book about love and friendship? You can add it in the comment area.

The 2011 Pura Belpré Award Winners

Last month, the 2011 Pura Belpré Award winners were announced. We are super pleased to see that several of our favorite authors and illustrators were included. When planning your reading list for the year, make sure you add these fantastic titles!

2011 Author Award Winner

The Dreamer

written by Pam Muñoz Ryan

illustrated by Perter Sís

published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

The Dreamer masterfully imagines the magic-filled youth of Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. Through her skillful use of language inspired by Neruda’s work, Muñoz Ryan weaves this stunning tale of a young boy’s discovery of self and the development of his ideologies and artistic voice.

2011 Illustrator Award Winner

Grandma's Gift

illustrated and written by Eric Velasquez

published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.

Grandma’s Gift is a personal tale based on Velasquez’s special relationship with his abuela who influenced his dream of becoming an artist. Velasquez’s penchant for details and use of oil on watercolor papers complements his amazing use of color and light to reflect the mood of the characters.

2011 Author Honor Books

¡Ole! Flamenco

written and illustrated by George Ancona

published by Lee and Low Books Inc.

¡Olé! Flamenco offers a well-written, non-fiction introductory book on the Spanish art of flamenco, including its history as an expressive art form. Ancona describes flamenco in easy and understandable language for those not familiar with the art form.

The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba

written by Margarita Engle

published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba introduces Fredrika Bremer. This audacious Swedish woman visited Cuba in 1851 and met Cecilia, an African-born slave. Engle blends fact and fiction, creating Elena, a plantation owner’s daughter, who conspires with Bremer to secure Cecilia’s freedom.

90 Miles to Havana

by Enrique Flores-Galbis

published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing

90 Miles to Havana is based on the author’s experience as one of 14,000 children in Operation Pedro Pan. Moving from Cuba to the refugee camp in Miami, Flores-Galbis’ writing is engaging, fast paced, and colorful with well-developed characters drawn from his personal experiences.

2011 Illustrator Honor Books

 

Fiesta Babies

illustrated Amy Cordova

written by Carmen Tafolla

published by Tricycle Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.

 
Fiesta Babies, told in a simple rhyme scheme, is embellished with illustrations done in bold colors and brushstrokes. Pictured is a parade of multicultural babies and toddlers in vibrantly colored costumes singing, dancing and celebrating at a local fiesta.

Me, Frida

illustrated by David Diaz

written by Amy Novesky

published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Abrams

Me, Frida tells the story of newly married Frida Kahlo and her husband, Mexican painter Diego Rivera, and their time spent in San Francisco in 1930. Diaz’s paintings resemble Kahlo’s folkloric style. The charcoal and acrylic paintings created in warm vibrant colors picture detailed cityscapes, landscapes, and building interiors as well as Frida and other figures.

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin

illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh

published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Abrams

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin depicts the lives of two cousins who live in the U.S. and Mexico. Tonatiuh’s mixed-media illustrations, influenced by ancient Mixtec art, show the universality of childhood experiences across borders.