Book Review #5-Bilingual Is Better

bookcover
Bilingual is definitely better; a lot of us know it, but we also know it isn’t easy! One of my very first posts on this blog was about the things we do at home to reinforce Spanish with our  boys. That was a year ago and I am revisiting once again because in our home we all need a little push. The discussion has continued here throughout the year and I have reached out to friends who, like me, were born in the United States and consider themselves first-generation Mexican-American. I reached out to find our their secrets, their struggles and their success stories. Our children, the second generation, LIVE in English. So how do we stay focused and on track?

A few months ago, I learned that the authors of Spanglish Baby published Bilingual Is Better: Two Latina Moms on How the Bilingual Parenting Revolution is Changing the Face of America and I knew I had to get it, read it, and share what I consider highlights of the work of Ana L. Flores and Roxana A. Soto:

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Mas Para El Pequeño Estante

Bilingual Books

I have more books for your bilingual cuties! These are the latest additions in our home and we are reading and re-reading and re-reading… Some were gifts, some were purchased and some are from the library. Only two of the books below are not bilingual (English only) but they are all by Latino authors and they all have a rich cultural theme.

Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol by Monica Brown

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown
This one is only in English. Why not show your kiddie a Spanish poem from the poet? Pablo Neruda Para Ninos/ Pablo Nerudo for Children (Alba Y Mayo) (Spanish Edition)

Gracias / Thanks (English and Spanish Edition) by Pat Mora

Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book
by Yuyi Morales

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh (English)

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina by Monica Brown

It is very important that bilingual parents support Latino authors. We need more books like these and publishers, authors, librarians and teachers need to know that Latino children’s literature is a great component in our kids’ education. Our voices are heard by asking our librarians to stock these authors on their shelves and of course, when we personally purchase wonderful picture books that our children can treasure.

Do you have other bilingual books and/or Latino author recommendations? Would love to know!

Have a great weekend!

P.s. My new subscription link is up and running. See it right below the social buttons? If you would like to receive email notifications when I post on my blog, please submit your email address. Gracias!

Weekend Finds

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Okay, so I didn’t actually pick up the newspaper this weekend, but isn’t this image pretty? 

Hi! How was your weekend?  It was relaxing for us! I should be taking down the Christmas decorations but instead I found and read/viewed all of this:

Diego, Santi and I read and re-read two new bilingual picture books: Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina and The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred Thank you to one of my regular readers and childhood friend, Liz A for this gift!

To help you with your 2013 workouts:  a list of music!

Found two book reviews that left me intrigued. Put them on your nightstand: The Feminist and the Cowboy: An Unlikely Love Story (Alisa Valdes Rodriguez!!) and Pursuing the Good Life: 100 Reflections on Positive Psychology

Great idea for a special birthday!
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The Best Gift

It’s my birthday this weekend and look what arrived in the mail this week! Yes, the author of Jordi’s Star, Alma Flor Ada sent us books! Autographed books!! Bilingual books!!! Just like she said she would! I know they are for the boys but because they are for the boys…it made me so happy. [Read more...]