hispanic – Mom Read It

Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender story of grandfather and grandaughter

Posted on June 1, 2024May 31, 2024 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, by Ismée Williams/Illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, (May 2024, Roaring Brook Press), $19.99, ISBN: 9781250848772

Ages 4-8

The changing seasons frame this story of a grandfather and his granddaughter. In the summer, the two roll up their pants and wade in the water, discovering shells and pebbles; she listens to his stories about marlins and dolphins. In the fall, they watch the waves, and Abuelo tells his granddaughter that he won medals as a swimmer. In the fall, they watch the waves churn as the wind and ice whip against the water; Abuelo tells her about his father taking him to the beach during hurricanes. In the spring, Abuela packs the two a picnic, and grandfather and granddaughter joyfully shed their shoes and run for the water. The beach allows Abuelo to tell his granddaughter about his life in Cuba; she feels his sadness as he recalls his memories: the swimming medals he left behind; the guayaba ice cream, the island sun. Digital illustrations provide rich color: the purple sky, with clouds shaped like marlins and dolphins and the close-up spread of Abuelo’s and granddaughter’s faces, his eyes reflecting the Cuban sun and sand, hers reflecting her grandfather, are two outstanding moments. Williams’s vivid descriptions let readers feel the sun on their faces, the ice hit their cheeks, and let them wiggle their toes in the sand. An outstanding immigrant story and of intergenerational relationships.

Preschool Reads

Hispanic Heritage Month: nubeOcho picture books

Posted on October 11, 2017October 10, 2017 by Rosemary Kiladitis

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know I love nubeOCHO picture books. I discovered the publisher when I was at the PLA conference last year; I was a children’s librarian in a largely monolingual Spanish-speaking community, with outdated books on the shelves in their language. I was buying books in Spanish that I knew how to search for: Goosebumps, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson – but I needed to find new books that spoke to the kids and their cultures. I found that publisher in nubeOCHO, who simultaneously publishes Spanish and English language copies of their books that are perfect for my kiddos. I could read a storytime book in English, interjecting some Spanish words where I knew how, and the parents could borrow the Spanish copy to take home and read with their kids. I am forever grateful.

This season, nubeOCHO has a couple of adorable books out – available in English and Spanish – for beginning readers and cuddlers. Enjoy.

The Perfect Animal (El animal perfecto), by Raquel Diaz Reguera, (Sept. 2017, nubeOCHO), $15.95, ISBN: 978-8494633393
Recommended for readers 4-8

The kids at school have to dress up as an animal; Valentina wants to be “the perfect animal”. But what does that mean? Valentina considers several animals: elephants, bears, bats, birds, and more. She notes their strengths and their “curiosities” – noted throughout the book as fun facts, paper-clipped to the pages, written on note paper. So which one is the perfect animal? Why pick just one? There’s vibrant art throughout the book, plus fun facts kids will love (elephant are the only mammals that can’t jump, which makes really good sense). The Perfect Animal is part of nube’s Egalite imprint; publishing stories that emphasize equality and that illustrate the richness of diversity.

A Surprise for Mrs. Tortoise (Una sopresa para tortuga), by Paula Merlan/Illustrated by Sonja Wimmer, (Oct. 2017, nubeOCHO), $16.95, ISBN: 978-84-946333-4-8
Recommended for readers 4-8

Mrs. Tortoise sees her reflection one morning, and it really brings her down. Her shell looks old and worn out, and it’s really making her feel old and sad. Luckily for her, Birdie, her best friend, is there to cheer her up! He bops around to the sky, the flowers, the wind, and clouds to help decorate her shell and cheer her up, but it seems like everything just makes Mrs. Tortoise feel worse; she loses her temper and snaps at Birdie, but even that doesn’t stop him. When Mrs. Tortoise goes to apologize to Birdie, she discovers that forgiveness and friendship are all that matter (and a little help from the rainbow doesn’t hurt). Washed-out watercolor art splashed across each page spread creates beautiful artwork that readers will gravitate to – especially when Mrs. Tortoise’s shell is covered in flowers! (I see art project at storytime here!) This is a sweet story about friendship and going the extra mile for a friend. A Surprise for Mrs. Tortoise is part of nube’s Somos8 imprint, exploring first sensations and challenges kids meet.

Preschool Reads

Book Review: Fiesta Babies, by Amy Cordova (Tricycle Press, 2010)

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Recommended for ages 2-5

A multicultural group of babies and their families take part in a cultural celebration, complete with colorful hats, dresses, foods, and dancing. The story, told in rhyme, uses English and Spanish words to bring babies of all ethnicities together in a celebration of Mexican heritage. Amy Cordova received 2011 Pura Belpre Illustration Honors for her bold acrylic colors and brushstroke paintings that bring Ms. Tafolla’s text to life. There are sombreros, serapes, salsa, and happy babies and grownups from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate a grand fiesta. The faces of the participants are joyfully expressive, spreading good feelings. A short glossary at the end of the book defines the Spanish words in simple-to-understand language for young audiences.

The book is a great read-aloud choice. The rhyming text will draw in young listeners, as will the bright colors and exciting new words, for those non-Spanish speakers. There can be a glossary handout for parents and guardians to practice the new words with children after the story time. Fiesta Babies, like Dora the Explorer, can teach children simple Spanish words; some preschoolers may recognize some of the words from Dora episodes. This would be a great multicultural language read-aloud with books like Linda Sue Park and Julia Durango’s Yum! Yuck! A Foldout Book of People Sounds, where children learn common words and phrases in a multitude of languages. There are several websites that offer Spanish language fingerplays and songs and can easily be slotted in to a bilingual story time.