Relying on expressive artwork depicting the power of the wind and pitch-perfect onomatopoeia mimicking its different sounds from blustery to quiet, thRelying on expressive artwork depicting the power of the wind and pitch-perfect onomatopoeia mimicking its different sounds from blustery to quiet, this bilingual board book showcases a handful of youngsters who are outside enjoying the wind. They can attest to its strength as it blows their clothing all around their bodies, ruffles the tall grass, gives flight to blossoms, and even provides the power needed to turn a simple pinwheel held by one child. What's most noticeable about this and the other books in the Whatever the Weather series is how they subtly encourage youngsters to do more than simply acknowledge the weather; instead, they are encouraged to appreciate what it brings and use it as a tool for discovery. Learning to be observant at an early age is a very good thing. ...more
While rain might just be annoying weather to many adults, for the child in this bilingual (Spanish & English) board book, it's the perfect time to plaWhile rain might just be annoying weather to many adults, for the child in this bilingual (Spanish & English) board book, it's the perfect time to play. As the child stands outside with a stuffed toy, one raindrop falls, followed by more and more, until there's quite a deluge, and the toy becomes a makeshift umbrella. And then there's time for joy when the rain stops, and the puddle splashing begins. The use of onomatopoeia throughout the story along with the blue-gray raindrops, a smudge of a rainbow, and interesting body positions and facial expression in the artwork make this title fun to read for the younger set. It's part of the Whatever the Weather series, which anyone who teaches preschool or has one in their home will want to collect. ...more
Not only will this board book featuring Alma from the picture book, How Alma Got Her Name, charm those who are familiar with the character, but becausNot only will this board book featuring Alma from the picture book, How Alma Got Her Name, charm those who are familiar with the character, but because it's in English and Spanish, it could be used to support English Language Learners or those interested in learning some simple Spanish words and phrases. The artwork here, rendered in graphite and colored pencil, is just as visually appealing as in the original book, and Alma's endearing nature is on full display here as she introduces readers to her home after greeting them. Taking them to various rooms and allowing them to meet her family as they get ready for the day helps readers feel as though they know these characters, some of whom will remind them of their own family members and daily routines. This book is a good choice for a preschool or elementary classroom library because of its cultural representation. ...more
Anger is one of the most common feelings experienced by young children. In fact, for some of them, it might seem to dominate their emotions. This biliAnger is one of the most common feelings experienced by young children. In fact, for some of them, it might seem to dominate their emotions. This bilingual board book follows a fuzzy orange lion-like animal as it deals with feeling angry, knocking blocks down, lashing out at others. This grumpiness--and I might not use that word in the text since feeling angry and grumpy don't seem the same to me--leads to more acting out. The text doesn't just leave the character high and dry and miserable, but instead, provides some suggestions for releasing the anger and focusing on more positive things. It might have been helpful to offer some other ways to channel all that anger and energy so that it doesn't erupt later. Nevertheless, teachers, parents, and caregivers might find this one useful in starting a conversation about this particular feeling and what to do with it. ...more
Who hasn't felt scared about something at one time or another? In this bilingual board book written in Spanish and English, one of the most frequent tWho hasn't felt scared about something at one time or another? In this bilingual board book written in Spanish and English, one of the most frequent times that children are scared is covered. The narrator, a fuzzy purple creature, sees shadows and scary noises while lying in bed. Could there be something in the closet or under the bed? Even though the protagonist is frightened, too frightened to look under the bed, coping strategies help ease the tension. Taking a deep breath or two, clutching favorite toys, and shining the light on the strange shape reveals what it really is. One of the best parts of this book and the series--there are six books--is how no mention is made about hiding or pushing down those feelings. Readers are encouraged through the characters to identify their feelings and then act on them in positive ways. Hooray for emotional and mental health. ...more
A small fuzzy teal creature describes how it feels to be sad in this board book. With bilingual text--in Spanish and English--the animal explains wantA small fuzzy teal creature describes how it feels to be sad in this board book. With bilingual text--in Spanish and English--the animal explains wanting to hide and feeling annoyed with everyone as part of those emotions. This book, unlike some of the others in the six-book series, offers some coping strategies, including talking with someone about those feelings of sadness. Expressing those feelings may help, especially when it makes it clear that someone cares. The illustrations fit the emotions quite well as in one scene the narrator is standing all alone while five other animals dance merrily in a circle. Conversations with a child about feeling sad can lead to self-awareness and the realization that others feel sad at different times for different reasons too. This book and the others in the series are good starting places to discuss social and emotional needs and responses to feelings while also possibly prompting empathy for others. ...more
Part of a bilingual six-book series about emotions commonly experienced by youngsters, this board book focuses on feeling surprised. In Spanish, folloPart of a bilingual six-book series about emotions commonly experienced by youngsters, this board book focuses on feeling surprised. In Spanish, followed by English, the text identifies various times when the narrator, a fuzzy purplish bear, was surprised. Readers will realize from the brief examples that some surprises can be disconcerting and that being surprised isn't always a positive feeling. Books such as this one and the others in the series can offer very young children an avenue to identify their feelings and discuss them with older folks. An additional bonus to reading and sharing the book is that youngsters may become more empathetic toward their peers. ...more
This bilingual picture book--Spanish first and then English--tells the story of Julio C. Tello, a Peruvian archaeologist who used his discoveries of aThis bilingual picture book--Spanish first and then English--tells the story of Julio C. Tello, a Peruvian archaeologist who used his discoveries of artifacts to prove that the country's indigenous population had its own culture, 3,000 years old, complete with art and various structures while another indigenous group that lived 2,500 years ago used irrigation systems, crafted gorgeous textiles, and had specific burial practices for those who died. His discoveries put the lie to those who had conjectured that Peruvian culture came from other countries and wasn't home grown. Tello's influence is unmatched since it fostered cultural pride and encouraged Peruvians rather than cultural outsiders to tell their stories. As was the case with other countries and cultures, Peru's history did not begin with the Spanish conquest of the area but long before that. Colorful illustrations created with watercolor and gouache pay tribute to the indigenous cultures whose artifacts Tello found with even the endpapers consisting of drawings of the carved stone heads found at one archaeological dig. Before reading this book, I'd never heard of this man, known as Sharko as a child, and what he found during his field work. This picture book biography brings much-deserved attention and recognition to him as well as serving as a reminder to me that I still regard history through white, Western eyes and must forget some of the biased history that I learned in my own schooling. ...more
Complemented by bright digital artwork with easy-to-see word balloons and close-ups of the characters' faces, this title [2.5 for me] joins the other Complemented by bright digital artwork with easy-to-see word balloons and close-ups of the characters' faces, this title [2.5 for me] joins the other two by this creative team in giving examples of how friendship works. Because the left-hand pages are in English, and the right-hand pages are in Spanish, youngsters are able to experience the story through the eyes of two boys, Jose, and Joe. The two boys head to the park, play baseball with other youngsters, and then clean up the area before heading back home. The pages are filled with smiling, friendly faces, and there's even a glossary of important words in the back matter. Young readers will rate this one much higher than I have, and they are sure to understand the message that even if there is a language barrier, it's possible to communicate with others and to spend time enjoying the same pastimes. ...more
Grief and loss are experienced in very different ways by each individual, and the coping strategies used to deal with losses vary from individual to iGrief and loss are experienced in very different ways by each individual, and the coping strategies used to deal with losses vary from individual to individual. This bilingual picture book, originally published in Iran and with text in Persian and English, [3.5 for me] follows the path of healing experienced by one young girl. The opening double-page spread shows her sitting alone on a balcony while other youngsters are playing. There are potted plants on the balcony, and readers will understand why when they turn the page as she's remembering the last plant that she and her mother had cultivated. After her mother died, the girl describes how Empty came to stay. Empty is shown lying in her bed, sitting at the breakfast table, accompanying her everywhere she goes. Empty is depicted as a grayish blob, not particularly threatening but almost comforting. Still, it's clear that the family is grieving as there is distance between the father and daughter and few smiles to be found. The early scenes are filled with stark images, dark colors with only glimmers of light shining through. After one of the flowers that the girl and her mother planted blooms, she gives one to Empty, who is shown in subsequent scenes as becoming brighter and with more blossoms. The two of them befriend and adopt a stray kitten, and she and her father start growing closer again, enjoying some outings and sharing a meal. They even manage to feel some joy again and grow another plant. Empty has been the girl's friend all along and has somehow eased the pain of her loss and helped her look forward to new experiences. The text are digital illustrations are lovely, full of significance and exquisite meaning as that blank place where the narrator's mother once lived has been filled temporarily by this friend. This one grows more impressive with repeated readings, and it offers a place to discuss losses of all sorts....more
Fans of the Caldecott Honor-winning book featuring Alma will be delighted to return to her world in this bilingual [English and Spanish] board book. IFans of the Caldecott Honor-winning book featuring Alma will be delighted to return to her world in this bilingual [English and Spanish] board book. Inside they will meet various members of her family, including her brother, grandfather, and cousins. The final double-page spread features pictures of each of them pinned to a clothesline as a beaming Alma proudly displays her artwork. The colorful illustrations, created in graphite and colored pencil, are brimming with love, love, love, and it's quite clear that Alma loves her family and that they return the favor. Use this one as a read aloud to encourage youngsters to share their own stories about their family members so that the class can see just how varied families can be. ...more
With some Spanish terms sprinkled amid the text, this picture book charts the changes in an apple tree near where Rosa, the protagonist, lives. The shWith some Spanish terms sprinkled amid the text, this picture book charts the changes in an apple tree near where Rosa, the protagonist, lives. The short lines almost resemble a cumulative tale in certain respects as readers are introduced to Rosa, her cat, her dog, and that apple tree, first in spring when bees pollinate its blossoms, and then over the following seasons. Rosa loves climbing in that tree and seeing the world around her. She also notices how the tree's flowers turn into small apples during the summer months and ripen as fall arrives and her family harvests the fruits in order to turn them into delicious treats. Finally, as the temperatures drop, it's time for Rosa to bundle up and for the tree to take a well-deserved rest. Back matter includes two pages explaining the steps necessary for an apple to transform from a flower to a fruit, a glossary of Spanish terms, and a recipe for apple sauce. Accompanied by what appears to be colorful digital artwork and expressive faces as well as asides about Rosa's animals and their antics, this picture book offers a unique take on the apple-growing process while also teaching some Spanish vocabulary and/or allowing Spanish-speakers to feel comfortable with parts of the story. ...more
In this bilingual picture book (English and Spanish) two young boys find that they have quite a lot in common, including their names (Joe and Jose). AIn this bilingual picture book (English and Spanish) two young boys find that they have quite a lot in common, including their names (Joe and Jose). As they work on their individual paintings in class, they are able to communicate and share their fondness for certain colors or what they admire about the other child's artwork. Because the text is simple, the translation from one page to the next is easy, and could provide support in a classroom with English language learners, allowing children who speak English to learn some Spanish, and vice versa. By the end of the book, the two boys are fast friends. Each page is drenched in colorful illustrations created digitally and with fonts in large typeface. My favorite image is a double-page spread showing the two boys working together as they decide to mix the colors they've chosen for their paintings. All the vocabulary used in the story can be found in the back matter in English and Spanish....more
Written in Spanish and English, this board book consists of the classic nursery rhyme often used to teach little ones about their toes. The illustratiWritten in Spanish and English, this board book consists of the classic nursery rhyme often used to teach little ones about their toes. The illustrations use soft colors and feature smiling children playing with each other. The digit action occurs on the left-hand page. This book might be useful in introducing children to those toes and to simple nursery rhymes. There is music on the back cover. ...more
Digital illustrations feature six energetic children who meet in a park and are able to surmount the language barrier between English and Spanish. TheDigital illustrations feature six energetic children who meet in a park and are able to surmount the language barrier between English and Spanish. The first page, written in English, begins with three English speakers who are playing with each other when three Spanish speakers arrive on the scene on the second page, written in Spanish. Interestingly, both sets of youngsters are saying the same things, just in their Mother Tongue, and they are intrigued by the words, their music, and their dance steps. They even jump rope and sing tunes together, and at the end of the day, several new friendships have been formed, and plans are made to meet the next day. From the final two images and text, it appears that the youngsters have picked up a few phrases as the English speakers say goodbye in Spanish and the Spanish speakers use English as they leave. There is a glossary of terms in the back of the book as well as a note from the author in which she states that laughter and enjoyment are universal and might allow youngsters or even adults to cross the borders and differences that might at first glance seem to separate them. Perhaps out of simple actions such as spending a few moments playing with someone who is different from them, youngsters can learn to accept and embrace diversity....more
Crayons and acrylic illustrations colored digitally in Photoshop complement an immigration story. Newly arrived in the United States from Colombia, IsCrayons and acrylic illustrations colored digitally in Photoshop complement an immigration story. Newly arrived in the United States from Colombia, Isabella misses her friends and her father who had to stay behind. She is excited for her first day of school even though she has arrived in December because school will give her a chance to meet new friends. She carefully gets everything ready for that all-important first day. But there has been so much snow that school is cancelled, and Isabella won't be able to go. As she looks out the window, feeling very sad and very much wishing that she were back home in Colombia, she sees a girl fall in the snow outside and rushes out to help her. The girl, Katie, explains that she is making a snow angel, and the two girls play together in the snow, using a blend of Spanish and English to communicate. At the end of the day, Isabella feels a lot better about her new home and having a friend with whom to walk to school. An Author's Note, information about immigration, and a glossary of Spanish terms are part of the book's back matter. In simple but relatable fashion, this picture book captures some of the emotions and experiences of young immigrants as they adjust to life in a new land. This book might be useful as a read aloud to provide reassurance that there will be many individuals who will welcome them with open arms....more
A bilingual version (Spanish and English) version of a board book published earlier, this title features five animals hiding beneath a sturdy foldableA bilingual version (Spanish and English) version of a board book published earlier, this title features five animals hiding beneath a sturdy foldable flap. Youngsters will be highly entertained as they try to guess who's under that flap from the visual clues. Reading the book more than once gives them a chance to work on memory skills as well as making predictions and guessing. The repetitive question set against a colorful background also helps early readers build their letter and word recognition skills. The book is well-designed and sure to withstand frequent handling. ...more
The bilingual version of this board book features text in English and Spanish as Rosa sallies forth on her little scooter. She has a blast even when sThe bilingual version of this board book features text in English and Spanish as Rosa sallies forth on her little scooter. She has a blast even when she has a mishap, and she is able to play with her friends, her dog, and even wash off the scooter when it gets dusty. Young readers will relate to her decision to give her toys a ride on the scooter as well. (I've written additional comments for the original book that was published in English.)...more
This is a bilingual version of an earlier board book featuring Rosa and her friends and all the fun that can be had when playing with balls. It's cleaThis is a bilingual version of an earlier board book featuring Rosa and her friends and all the fun that can be had when playing with balls. It's clear that Rosa enjoys being active, and having the book available in English and Spanish makes it useful for youngsters just learning a new language. The images are attractive, and young readers may recognize themselves in some of the scenes. ...more
I continue to enjoy this bilingual series (English & Spanish) with its simple text and brightly-colored illustrations. Not only does it boast a diversI continue to enjoy this bilingual series (English & Spanish) with its simple text and brightly-colored illustrations. Not only does it boast a diverse cast of characters in the youngsters that readers meet, but it pushes against assumptions about gender roles in gentle ways. In this particular board book, Rosa, a character featured in the other books, engages in imaginative play with her toy cars. When she ventures outdoors, she and her friends ride their own small cars in a race, use toy trucks to dig in the sand, have races with the toy cars, and plan an outing to the beach. When the cars line up to drive along the highway, Rosa's pet dog causes a traffic jam, and then Rosa needs to repair a car involved in a slight mishap. Rosa loves her cars so much that after she and Samira construct one from cardboard, she stays inside it while finishing her snack. This board book is perfect for very young children, and Rosa herself is a great model for how little ones can amuse themselves with the simplest of toys. ...more