books in spanish and portuguese - arne nixon center...books in spanish and portuguese held by the...
TRANSCRIPT
Books in Spanish and Portuguese held by the Arne Nixon Center
Compiled and annotated by Dr. Juan Carnero
Catalan Language Cushman, Karen. L’aprenenta de LLevadora, (The Midwife’s Apprentice), translated by Anna Gasol, Ed. Cat: Edebe, 1998. It is a freezing morning in an English village in the fourteenth century we find poor Alice, an abandoned girl sleeping on a bed of hay. She opens her eyes to see Jane, the midwife, who needs an apprentice. Alice ultimately earns her place in the world. 8‐14 yrs. Portuguese Language Cushman, Karen. Aprendiz de Parteira, (The Midwife’s Apprentice), translated by Angela Melim, Editora Roccio Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 1999. It is a freezing morning in an English village in fourteenth century we find poor Alice, an abandoned girl sleeping on a bed of hay. She opens her eyes to see Jane, the midwife, who needs an apprentice. Alice ultimately earns her place in the world. 8‐14 yrs.
*** Cushman, Karen. La Balada de Lucy Whipple, (The Ballad of Lucy Whipple), translated by Angela Melim, Editora Roccio Litda., Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 2001. Leaving behind the school, library, friends, and culture of her native New England, Lucy Whipple and her mother, who hopes to gain a fortune, move to a mining town in California during the gold rush. There she comes across a series of eccentric people. She eventually achieves her wishes to become an independent and thoughtful person. 8‐14 yrs.
***
Cushman, Karen. Catarina, a menina chamada Pasarían, (Catherine, Called Birdy), translated by Angela Melim, Editora Roccio Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 1998. Catherine an adolescent in medieval feudal England, write her diary. She is a 14 year old girl whose mother prepares her to become a gentle and patient wife and whose father
wishes her to marry well. But, Catherine objects. By means of her observations and reflections about the daily life in the Middle Ages, the customs, work, festivals, etc., the reader gains a realistic picture of that period. 8‐14 yrs. Spanish Language Aberson, Helen, and Harold Peral. Walt Disney Dumbo, El Elefantito del Circo, translated by Pastora S. Nogues Acuna, Editorial Abril, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1942. Dumbo grows large ears that become the cause of all the jokes in the circus. So large do they become that he learns to fly and experiences a series of adventures. 6‐10 yrs.
*** Ada, Alma Flor, and F. Isabel Campoy. Ratoncito Pérez, Cartero, illustrated by Sandra Lopez Escriva, Santillana USA Pub. Co., Miami, Fl., 2002. Little Mouse Pérez is kept busy as a mailman. We see him going about his daily routine to prepare himself for work at home, at the post office, and delivers mail to the three bears, to the Rabbit family who lives in a tree, to the house of the seven dwarfs who live in the forest, to the Castle of No Return where the Bad Witch lives. 4‐6 yrs.
*** Aguirre, Coral. Los Niños de Nuevo León y el Fuego de Prometeo (The Children of Nuevo Leon and the Fire of Prometheus), Consejo para la Cultura de Nuevo Leon, Mexico, 2001. The myth of Prometheus and myths of Mesoamerica present the marvels of the creation of the world, the stories of the Maya Indians, the magic of Homer, the adventures of the Jaguar, and the discoveries of the Popol Vuh and its hidden mysteries. 6‐8 yrs.
*** Alegría, Ciro. Sueño y Verdad de América, (The Dream and Truth about America), Editorial Espasa Calpe, S.A., Madrid, Spain, 2000. This Dream and Truth about America’ is a small anthology that narrates stories and folklore traditions of the Indians of the American continent, the Spanish conquest, explorations, colonization, and their ultimate freedom. 8‐12 yrs.
*** Aliki. Mis Cinco Sentidos (My Five Senses), translated by Daniel Santacruz, HarperCollins Pub. 1995. The world of children is one of discovering what the five senses of the body are and how we learn from them. 3‐6 yrs.
*** Allende, Isabel. La Ciudad de las Bestias, (The City of Beasts), Harper Collins Pub., Inc., New Cork, 2002. In this novel of adventures, fifteen year old Alexander Cold embarks with his fearless grandmother; a reporter for International Geographic, on an journey to the heart of the tropical Amazon jungle of Brazil to document the legendary “Yeti,” known as the Beast. 12‐17 yrs.
***
Ancona, George. Barrio, el Barrio de Jose, (Barrio, Joseph’s Barrio), illustrated with photos of ‘barrio’ life, Harcourt Brace & Co., Orlando, Fl., 1998. Presents life in a barrio in San Francisco, describing the school, recreation, holidays, and family life of a Mexican American eight‐year‐old boy who lives there. 8‐14 yrs.
*** Andersen. El Ruiseñor del Emperador, (The Emperor’s Nightingale), adaptation by Carlo Frabetti, illustrated by Horacio Elena, Miguel Varela, et al, Sagarra y Marmol, S.A., Sbadell (Barcelona), Spain. This is the classical story of the Chinese Emperor’s Nightingale who saves the emperor with his song. 4‐6 yrs.
*** Aruego, Jose, and Ariane Jose. Cuento de un Cocodrilo, (Story of a Crocodile), Historial Popular Filipina, translated by Argentina Palacios, Scholastic Book Services, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York 1979.
Juan learns from his adventure with the treacherous crocodile to appreciate the importance of behaving in a just and honest way with everyone. 3‐7 yrs.
***
Balestrino, Philip. El Esqueleto dentro de Ti (The Skeleton Inside You), translated by Daniel Santacruz, illustrated by True Kelley, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995. Skeletons make one think of Halloween and other fearful things. But these skeletons are not real and you only see them once a year. The skeleton within us all is real. Day after day it takes on the form we have, otherwise, without it, we would be like jelly. It allows us to stand, run, jump, and touch our toes. This book explains how the 206 skeleton bones we carry are connected, how we grow, and how it produces blood for our body. It also describes what happens when we break a bone and how we heal. 5‐9 yrs.
*** Baum, L. Frank. El Maravilloso Mago de Oz, (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), illustrated by W. Denslow, Dover Pub., Inc., N. Y. 1996. The adventures of Dorothy and her companions, the cowardly Lion, the brainless Scarecrow, and the heartless Tin Man, to find the Wizard of Oz. (vocabulary: Spain) 6‐14 yrs.
*** Belpre, Pura. Pérez y Martina, traditional folklore from Puerto Rico, translated from English, illustrated by Carlos Sanchez M., Frederick Warne & Co., Inc., N. Y., 1966. The story of a Spanish cockroach named Martina who is very proud of her culture and lineage and proud of how she keeps her home so neat. One day she finds a shiny new coin and could not find anything good enough to spend it on. After several suitors come to ask for her hand in marriage, she then asks each one of them how he will speak to her in the future. Perez, a Spanish mouse, impresses her because he is appropriately dressed and has aristocratic connections at the royal court in Madrid. He wins her hand in marriage and a surprise ending in the kitchen. 4‐8 yrs.
***
Bogunya, M. Angels. El Semáforo, (The Street Signal Light), illustrated by Werner Ton‐Hortal, translated from the Catalan, La Galera, S.A. Editorial, Barcelona, Spain, 1999. Among fields of wheat and sunflowers, cows and sheep, a pretty town becomes industrialized and enjoys modern conveniences. The only thing it lacks is swallows because there are no places for them to nest. Their solution is install a traffic light and ends with a surprise ending. 6‐8 yrs.
***
Bonsall, Crosby. El Caso del Forastero Hambriento (The Case of the Hungry Stranger), translated by Tomas Gonzalez, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub. Inc., 1992. “Who stole Mrs. Buendías’ blueberry pie? Mrs. Buendía contracts the detectives Mago, Flaco, Gordo and Soplón to uncover the culprit.
***
Bridwell, Norman. Las Buenas Acciones de Clifford, (Clifford’s Good Behavior), illustrated by Norman Bridwell, trans. Argentina Palacios, Scholastic Book Services, New York, 1980. Clifford helps around the house, gathering fall leaves, painting the house, rescuing a cat on a tree, blowing up a flat tire, etc. 4‐7 yrs.
*** Bridwell, Norman. Clifford Va de Viaje, (Clifford Takes a Trip), illustrated by Norman Bridwell, trans. Argentina Palacios, Scholastic Book Services, New York, 1979. This year, unlike other years, Clifford, the dog, is left behind to fend for himself while the family goes on vacation. Frightened and alone he walks to the family campsite and rescues the girl from the claws of a mama bear. 5‐7 yrs.
***
Brown, Marc. Arturo y sus Problemas con el Profesor (Arthur’s Teacher Trouble), translated by Jill Syverson‐Stork, Little, Brown and Co. New York, 1994.
“Last year I ended up with Mr. Mouse,” Prunella told Arthur. “I feel sorry for you.” With Mr. Rataquemada (Burntrat) as your teacher, Arthur feels certain that the third grade can only mean problems. “If you make one little mistake,” warns Betico Vega, “you’re condemned to die.” Mr. Rataquemada gives homework the first day of class. The following day, his students receive a list of one hundred words to learn. When Arthur is selected as the class representative for the school spelling contest, the tension grows all the more. Can Arthur ever satisfy his own expectations and, at the same time, those of his demanding teacher? 6‐8yrs.
***
Brown, Margaret Wise. Buenas Noches, Luna, (Goodnight, Moon), translated by Teresa Mlawer, illustrated by Clement Hurd, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. In a large green room a little rabbit is covered in his bed. After saying a good night to the room, he says good night to the moon and all the things in the room. 4‐5 yrs.
***
Brown, Margaret Wise. El Conejito Andarín, (The Little Hide‐and‐Seek Rabbit), translated by Aida E. Marcuse, Illustrated by Clement Hurd, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. An imaginative and entertaining hide and seek game in which a little rabbit tries in vain to hide away from his mother. The children will feel comfort knowing that the tenacious love of the mother enables her to find her son. 3‐7 yrs.
*** Brown, Margaret Wise. El Gran Granero Rojo (The Big Red Barn), translated by Aida E. Marcuse, illustrated by Felicia Bond, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub. 1996. Next to the big red barn in a vast green field there was a pink little pig that oinked happily. There also were horses, sheep, goats, geese, and an old scarecrow that lived together next to the big red barn. 2‐ 6 yrs.
***
Bunting, Eve. Noche de Humo, (Night of Smoke), translated by Gloria de Aragon Andujar, illustrated by David Diaz, Libros Viajeros, Harcourt Brace & Co. N. Y., 1999.
A riot of bombs, fire, and smoke shatters the peaceful life of Gena, her son Daniel, and their cat, Jazmine forcing them to flee with the aid of firemen to a shelter. When they discover that Jazmine is not with them, they are determined to find their beloved cat with everyone’s help. 6‐9 yrs.
*** Carle, Eric. La Oruga MuyHambrienta, (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), translated by Aida E. Marcuse, Philomel Books, The Putnam & Grosset Group, New York, 1994. A hungry caterpillar, from egg, to cocoon and then butterfly, eats and stuffs his stomach in increasing amounts each day of the week 3‐6 yrs.
*** del Castillo, Victorino Arroyo. Cuentos Para Leer y Escribir, Libro Primero, (Stories to Read and Write, First Grade Book), Ediciones Anaya, S.A., Madrid, Spain. This is a basic step by step introduction to reading stories with reading exercises related to each one of the stories. 6‐7 yrs.
*** del Castillo, Victorino Arryoyo, and Alberto Fernandez Giron. Lecturas Infantiles de España y América III, (Readings for Children of Spain and America III), Ediciones Anaya, S.A., Madrid, Spain 1968. This reader has a collection of poems for children, traditional stories, theatrical plays, songs, carols, lullabies, fables, ballads and legends, and short stories. 8‐12 yrs.
*** Cherry, Lynne. El Gran Capoquero, un cuento de la selva amazonica, (The Great Cacique, a story about the Amazon jungle), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated in watercolor, Harcourt Brace & Co., 1994. In the Amazon jungle a man climbs up and falls asleep on a miraculous Brazilian Kapok tree. Many different animals and flowers live there. The man meets a boy of the Yanomana tribe that lives in the jungle. 6 yrs.
*** Cisneros, Sandra. Caramelo, translated by Liliana Valenzuela, Vintage Espanol, N. Y., 2002. Every year Celaya “Lala” Reyes’ whole family, aunts, uncles, etc. squeeze into 3 cars to take a wild journey from Chicago to their grandparents’ home in Mexico City. Lala shrewdly learns how to find her place among the loud voices of her relatives while she tries to discover what caused her grandmother to become such an angry person. There ensues a turbulent argument among her relatives that explores this question in a series of anecdotes, of lies, and an outline of the life of several generations. 14‐18 yrs.
*** Cleary, Beverly. Henry Huggins, translated by Argentina Palacios, illustrated by Louis Darling, Morrow Junior Books, N. Y., 1983. Henry Huggins comes across an extremely hungry and skinny dog and realizes he needs a place to live. After receiving his mother’s permission, he adopts “Ribs” and then begins the most exciting and amusing adventures of Henry’s life. 8‐12 yrs.
*** Clifton, Lucille. El Niño que no Creía en la Primavera, (The Boy who didn’t believe in Spring), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Brinton Turkle, E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. New York, 1976. King Shabazz can’t believe whatsoever in such a thing as springtime, even when his mother speaks of it at home. One day, tired of hearing about springtime, he puts on his sunglasses, looks for his friend Toni Polito in search of springtime.
*** Coerr, Eleanor. Josefina y la Colcha de Cuentos, (Josephine and the Story Quilt), translated by Aida E. Marcase, illustrated by Bruce Degen, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. It is 1850 and Josephine, the chicken, is Esperanza’s mascot. Esperanza wants to take Josephine to California in family pioneer wagon. Her father says she is too old to lays eggs, would be hard to eat, and there is no room in her in the wagon. He warns
Esperanza if she causes any problem, she stays back! Although Josephine causes more than one problem, she becomes the heroine of the family. 7‐9 yrs.
*** Collodi, Carlo. Walt Disney, Pinocchio, translated by German Berdiales, A. Bois, Editora, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 4th ed. 1942. Pinocchio, a wooden doll, experiences a series of adventures and meets Jiminy Cricket, a cat, and a wolf. When asked by the blue fairy why he did not go to school Pinocchio begins to lie. As a consequence, his nose grows longer and longer with each lie. He struggles to learn how can he redeem himself and become a real human boy. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Cowcher, Helen. El Bosque Tropical, (The Tropical Forest), translated by Rita Guibert Mirasol, Libros Juveniles, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, New York, 1992. All sorts of animals live together peacefully in a tropical forest…the sloth, tapirs, toucans, butterflies, even jaguars. Suddenly an alarming shout bursts through the forest warning something more powerful than a jaguar threatens to change their world. 6‐10 yrs.
*** Crosher, Judith. Aztecas, Pueblos del Pasado, (Aztecs, People from the Past), illustrated by Robert Wheeler, Editorial Molino, Barcelona, Spain, 1979. The history, customs, and culture of the Aztecs are authentically and vividly depicted 8‐12 yrs.
*** Czernich, Michael. Me Parece que Aquí Algo No Está Bien, (It Seems to Me that Something’s Wrong Here), The Unusual and Charming Animals of Sara Ball, translated by Susana Thomas, Litexsa Venezolana, 1987. Polar bears, kangaroos, lions, tigers, crocodiles, penguins, flying fish, ostrich, hummingbirds, turtles, monkeys, parrots, lizards, and many more are introduced in amusing situations with colorful illustrations. 6‐10 yrs.
***
Doherty, Berlie. Encantacornio, (The Enchanted Unicorn), translated by Monic Mansour, illustrated by Luis Fernando Enriquez, Fondo de Cultura Economica, Mexico, Hamish Hamilton Children’s Books, London, 2003 With the help of children, the author writes a novel about an enchanted unicorn and a blind child. He and his friends make a collage of the Jungle, speak in the language of the savages, even some of the children write in Braille, and invent songs about the savages. 8‐12 yrs.
*** Dorros, Arthur. Ciudad de Hormigas, (City of Ants), illustrated by Arthur Dorros, translated by Daniel Santacruz, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. In simple words and charming drawings, we see the life of tiny insects and how they work together to build and maintain their cities bustling with activities. 4‐ 8 yrs.
***
Ehlert, Lois. Plumas para Almorzar, (Feathers for Lunch), illustrated by Lois Ehlert, translated by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, Harcourt Brace & Co. New York, 1996. An escaped housecat encounters twelve birds in the backyard but fails to catch any of them and has to eat feathers for lunch. 6 yrs.
*** Escolano, Agustin. El Pensil de las Ninas, (A Guide for Young Ladies), Editorial EDAF, S.A., Madrid, 2001. An interesting historical and cultural view of nineteenth century proper conduct, decorum, and education of young ladies from the aristocratic and middle‐class levels of Spanish society. 14‐16 yrs.
***
Farías, Carolina. El Quijote visto por los niños de Nuevo León, (Don Quixote as Seen by the Children of Nuevo Leon, Mexico), illustrations and drawings by the children of Nuevo Leon, Consejo Para la Cultura de Nuevo Leon, Mexico, 2000. A superb and simplified version for children of the great classic masterpiece, El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha, his trials, tribulations, and many adventures by Don Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra. 6‐14 yrs.
*** Flack, Marjorie, and Kurt Wiese. La Cuenta de Ping, (The Story About Ping), Penguin Books, USA, Inc., New York, 1996. Ping is an adventurous Chinese duck who lives on a junk boat on the Yangtze River. He never liked being the last duck on board at night. What would he do when he was the last one? What but explore on his own the fascinating life along the Yangtze? 4‐8 yrs.
*** de Francsico, César Pérez, Gabriel García Narezo, and Juan Manuel Sapina R. Leyendas Indígenas Americanas, illustrated by Victor Ferragut and Eberto Novelo, Editorial Renacimiento, S.a., Mexico, 1970. This book narrate stories and legends of American Indians such as Nadove, a Sioux Indian, the five suns of the Nahua people called Toltecs, Xtabay of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, the love of the mountains Popocatepetl and Ixtlaccihuatl in the valley of Mexico, the conflicts between Aztecs of Greater Tenochtitlan and the Zapotecs, the Guarani Indians of Paraguay, about a rare bird, “the daughter of the Sun” bordering Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, the Calchaquis of northeast Argentina near Chile along the Andes mountain range, the story of the origin of the toad from central Chile, etc. 8‐14 yrs.
*** Franklin, Kristine L. El Aullido de los Monos, (The Shrieks of the Monkeys), translated by Rosa Zubizarreta, illustrated by Robert Roth, Athenaeum, Macmillan Pub. Co., New York, 1994. As a young girl Martha sees a forest of trees in Costa Rica cut down by lumberjacks. All the monkeys that live in them disappear. When Martha grows up and marries, her
husband gives her some land. She plants some trees with the help of her children and grandchildren and her dreams come true when the monkeys return. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Franklin, Kristine L. El niño Pastor, (The Boy Shepherd), illustrated by Jill Kastner, translated by Alma Flor Ada, Libros Colibri, Athenaeum, Maxwell Macmillan Intern., New York, 1994. Ben, a Navajo Indian boy, takes his family herd of sheep to good grazing land. That summer he learns to overcome the terrors of the night in order to rescue one lost sheep. 6‐10 yrs.
*** Galarza, Ernesto. Aquí y Allá en California, (California, Here and There), photographs by Ernesto Galarza, Coleccion Mini‐Libros, Editorial Almaden, 1971. The various regions, from north to south, of California are described and illustrated with photographs and words and phrases in Spanish and English at the end of the book. 6‐8 yrs.
*** Galarza, Ernesto. Chogorrom (Chogorrom, the Toad), illustrated by Vincent P. Rascon, La Coleccion Mini‐Libros, 1973. This is an amusing collection of rhymes as narrated by Chogorrom, the Toad. 3‐6 yrs.
*** Galarza, Ernesto. Historia Verdadera de una Gota de Miel, photographs by Ernesto Galarza, Editorial Almaden, 1971. This a true story about bees. One spring day a colony of bees arrive at an orchard looking for a place in which to settle down until they find a tree where they build a bee’s nest. In a few months the nest is full of honey. 4‐7 yrs.
***
Galarza, Ernesto. Mas Poemas Parvulos (More Preschool Mother Goose Poems), La Coleccion Mini‐Libros, 1972. There lived a gander poet by the name of Requetemorrocotudo who recited Mother Goose poems, but in Spanish, of course, because he was a Mexican gander who wrote poems, too. 3‐6 yrs. Jack and Jill became: Tin y Tan Subieron a Llenar un balde de agua, Tin se rompió El cráneo Y Tan rodó empapada.
*** Galarza, Ernesto. Poemas Parvulos (Preschool Poems), illustrated by Vincent P. Rascon, Editorial Almaden, La Coleccion Mini‐Libros, 1971. This is an example of the Mother Goose rhymes and its equivalent in the Spanish language, ie. “Goosy, goosy gander,” and “Simple Simon” and “”Hey‐diddle‐diddle,” become “Gani, gani Ganso,” and “Simonelo, niño lelo,” and “chiste con chiste.” 3‐6 yrs.
***
Galarza, Ernesto. Poemas Pe‐que Pe‐que Peque‐ñitos, (Very, Very Short Poems), photographs by Ernesto Galarza, Coleccion Mini‐Libros, 1972. Little books of short poems illustrated with photographs and written in Spanish and English in a playful way. 4‐7 yrs.
*** Galarza, Ernesto. Rimas Tontas, (Silly Rhymes), illustrated by Arthur J. Scheida, Coleccion Mini‐Libros, l974. A series of very short silly poems in which characters such as Simon Rascal, Mexican Fly, and many other are introduced. 5‐7 yrs.
***
Goff, Jacques Le. Europa contada a los jóvenes (Europe As Told to Children), translated from the French by Thomas Kauf, illustrated by Sergio Mora, Editorial Anagrama, Barcelona, Spain, 1999. This is a short geographic, socio‐political and cultural history of Europe, from classical Greece to the present. 12‐16 yrs.
*** Hauck, Phillip E. Ciruelo Lleno de Ciruelas Pasas, (Plum Tree Full of Prunes), translated by Victoria Hernandez Acosta, illustrated by Audrey Rawlings Arena, Dab Publishing Co., Fresno, CA, 1999. This is the true story of how plums and prunes came to America. The Benedictine monks return from the Crusades to plant the Persian plums seeds in their monastery garden in D’Agen, France. The seeds are brought by Louis Pellier in 1856 to Santa Clara valley, California. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Hazen, Barbara Shook. ¡Adios! !Hola!, (Goodbye! Hello!), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Michael Bryant, Athenaeum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1995. A realistic portrayal of the difficulties a young girl experiences as she says farewell to the neighborhood and friends she will leave behind as her family moves. Each “Goodbye!” has an equivalent “Hi!” that allows young children to understand that endings can become new beginnings and that “goodbyes” are not necessarily forever. 3‐6 yrs.
*** Hazen, Barbara Shook. Fue el Gorila, (It was the Gorilla), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Ray Cruz, Maxwell Macmillan Intern., Libros Colibri, Athenaeum, New York, 1994. Who do we see but a gorilla making a mess of her bedroom and riding a bicycle? How does the little girl explain this to her mother? 3 yrs.
***
Hoban Russell. El Gran Negocio de Francisca, (Frances’ Big Business), translated by Tomás González, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1996. Frances goes to Thelma’s to play even though her mother warns Frances not to trust her. But Frances is not careful and Thelma convinces her to buy an old plastic tea set although she prefers the pretty porcelain set with blue flowers. Nevertheless, Frances changes a bad bargain into a good one teaching Thelma a good lesson about friendship. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Hoban, Russel. La Hora de Acostarse de Francisca, (Bedtime for Frances), translated by Tomás González, illustrated by Garth Williams, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1996. It is bedtime and time for Francisca to retire after drinking a glass of milk, receiving a kiss from her parents, and holding on to her teddy bear. Francisca is not sleepy, tries to fall asleep by singing her ABC song, but all in vain. She wonders if there is a tiger in her room and even thinks she sees one. Later she believes she sees a giant. Will Francisca ever fall asleep? 4‐8 yrs.
*** Hoban, Russell. La Nueva Hermanita de Francisca, translated by Tomas Gonzalez, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., Inc., 1997. Francisca notices all the attention is going to her newborn baby sister and feels unwanted as she sits under the sink and then under the table. Francisca’s parents notice this and remark how much they miss her presence, her singing lovely songs which even her baby sister loves. The parents assure Francisca that each one of them is special and very much part of a united family. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Hoban, Russell. Pan y Mermelada Para Francisca, (Bread and Jam for Frances), translated by Tomás González, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995.
Bread and Jam for Frances encourages the reader to try other types of food such as toast and eggs, veal cutlets, chicken salad, a cheese, tomato and pickle sandwich, etc. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Hoff, Syd. Danielito y el Dinosauro, (Little Danny and the Dinosaur), illustrated by Syd Hoff, translated by Pura Belpre, Harper & Row, Pub,, New York, 1969. For ESL students and first graders learning to read. It is an imaginative story about Danny and his playmate, the high‐spirited dinosaur he found in a museum. 6 yrs.
*** Horenstein, Henry. Béisbol en los Barrios, (Baseball in the Neighborhoods), translated by Alma Flor Ada y F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated with photos, baseball cards, and maps, Gulliver Books, Harcourt Brace & Co. , 1997. Narrates the social life and customs in Venezuela and the importance of baseball and their great players in their culture. 6 yrs.
***
Huerta, Profa. Delfina. Mi Primera Gramática, (My First Grammar Book), illustrated by Luis González, Editorial F. Trillas, S.A., Mexico, D.F., 1967. The book presents an excellent introduction to the concepts and uses of grammar with drawings to illustrate their uses in a direct and simple way. The child is invited to draw and name the grammatical part and write down a sentence that expresses the grammatical usage. 8‐ 12 yrs.
*** Janovitz, Marilyn. ¿Es Hora? (Is it Time?), translated by Guillermo Gutierrez, Ediciones Norte‐Sur/New York, 1996. The before bedtime toilet rituals as depicted by two puppies. 3‐5 yrs.
***
Jasina, Jackie. El Día de Miranda (Miranda’s Day), para Bailar, illustrated by Jackie Jasina Schaefer, translated by Alberto Blanco, Libros Colibrí, Tour Winds Press, Macmillan Pub. Co., 1994. Each day of the week, except Sunday, a different animal would bring little Miranda fruit from the nearby jungle. Miranda would dance all day Sunday with the fruit on her head. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Jaynes, Ruth. ¡Amigos! ¡Amigos! ¡Amigos! (Friends! Friends! Friends!), translated by Emma Holguin Jiménez and Conchita Morales Puncel, photos Harvey Mandlin, Bowmar Pub. Corp. Glendale, CA, 1967. Kimi singles out each of her classmates as a friend and how grownups can also be friends with her. 4‐6 yrs.
***
Jaynes, Ruth, and Ed Radlauer. Papa es Grande (Dad is Big), translation and adaptation Emma Holguin Jimenez and Conchita Morales Puncel, photos Harvey Mandlin, Bowmar Pub. Corp., Glendale, CA, 1967. A boy compares himself with the size and abilities of his father. He wonders whether he will grow as big as him or even bigger. 4‐6 yrs.
*** Johnson, Crockett. Harold y el Lápiz Morado, (Harold and the Purple Crayon), illustrated by Crockett Johnson, translated by Teresa Mlawer, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. Harold takes a walk by the light of the moon with his purple crayon and draws a road for him to walk on, an apple tree, a dragon, and other incredible things of his adventurous trip. 4‐6 yrs.
*** Joosse, Barbara M. ¿Me Quieres, mamá?, (Do you Love me, Mama?), translated by Diego Lasconi, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee, Scholastic Inc., New York, 1999.
For beginning readers with charming illustrations of Inuit (Canadian Eskimos) in watercolors and simple but universal story of life among the Inuit with a short glossary of cultural terms at the end. 6 yrs.
*** Jordan, Helene J. Como Crece una Semilla (How a Seed Grows), translated by Maria A. Fiol, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. A seed is, in reality, a small plant that begins to grow when it receives soil, water, and sunlight. The roots burrow into the soil to absorb water and nourishment as its little green stem pushes outward toward the sunlight to finally blossom into a flower or a vegetable or becomes a tree. 3‐6 yrs.
*** Juster, Norton. La Caseta Magica, (The Magic Hut), translated by Alberto Jimenez Rioja, illustrated by Jules Feiffer, Sea Star Books, New York, 1998. Milo is rather sad and bored until he discovers a strange and magical gift that allows him to have a series of adventures. Milo begins his travels in the Kingdom of Wisdom accompanied by his friends and dog Toc. It is a story full of humor, irony, and a lot of fantasy. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Keats, Ezra Jack. La Silla de Pedro (Peter’s Chair), translated by Maria A. Fiol, Harpo Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1996. Meter has a younger sister. First, they paint in pink the cradle that was Peter’s and then his bed. Now they want to paint his little chair pink! “Willie, let’s run away!” Peter tells his dog. And so they do it, but shortly Peter discovers that he has grown and not only in size. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Keng, Keng. Bello Soñador (Beautiful Dreamer), illustrated by Chiang Cheng‐an and Wu Tai‐sheng, Ediciones en Lenguas Extranjeras, Beijing, China, 1979.
A conceited bird learns the Marxist viewpoint on how to conform to the moral standards of the masses and avoid the pitfalls of Narcissistic individualism.
*** Keng, Keng. El Gatito Presumido (The Conceited Little Cat), illustrated by Chiang Cheng‐an and Wu Tai‐sheng, Ediciones en Lenguas Extranjeras, Peking, China, 1979. A Maoist version of the story of Narcissus is illustrated by the beautiful cat that jumps out of a painting into the world of reality and offends dedicated workers. They in turn instruct him that his existence relies on the goodwill and hard work of many people. The cat ultimately recognizes his faults; jumps back into the frame on the wall and exclaim that his honor depends on the good opinion of everyone. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Kessler, Leonard. ¡Aquí Viene el que Se Poncha!, (Here Comes a Strikeout!), translated by Tomás González , illustrated by Leonard Kessler, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. Everyone loves to play baseball, especially Robert. He runs well, knows how to slide into base, catch ball, but the only thing with which he has difficulty is hitting the ball at bat twenty‐one times in a row. Desperate, he finally asks his friend William for help. 6‐8 yrs.
*** Kessler, Leonard. El útimo en tirarse es un miedoso (Last One in is a Rotten Egg), translated by Osvaldo Blanco, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995. Splash! Bobby jumped into the water. Splash! Willie jumped in, too. But Freddy stayed by the side of the pool. “I can’t swim in the deep end,” says he. “I suppose I’m just a scaredycat.” Freddy never gets to enjoy himself while all his friends fool around in the pool and race about. He stays in the shallow part. With the aid of Tom, the lifeguard, Freddy is determined to learn how to swim and everyone, from the least to the most expert swimmer, encourages him so that he may never again be called a scaredy cat. 6‐8 yrs.
***
Knowlton, Jack. Mapas y Globos Terraqueos (Maps and Globes of the Earth), translated by Daniel Santacruz, illustrated by Harriett Barton Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1996. Our ancestors invented maps thousands of years ago. The first maps are drawn on slate and other on silk cloth. With explorations, maps improved considerably by detailing exactly how our earth is arranged. 7‐10 yrs.
*** Kraatz, David. La Canción Del Geco, (The Song of the Gecko), illustrated by Mauricio Luerigas, Santillana Pub. Co., Inc., 1995 The love of nature and the tropics are beautifully illustrated in this story of the adventures of Chaco, the lizard. 6 yrs.
*** Kraus, Robert. José, el gran ayudante (Joseph, the Helper), translated by Rita Guibert, illustrated by José Aruego and Ariane Dewey, Windmill Books, Inc., and E.P. Dutton, New York, 1977. Joseph is given to helping anyone and everyone, from his parents to the fireman. He finally realizes that in order to help anyone else he must help himself as well. 5‐7 yrs.
*** Krauss, Ruth. Un Dia Feliz, (A Happy Day), translated by Maria A. Fiol, illustrated by Marc Simont, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995. Snow falls as all the animals are in a deep sleep. Suddenly they wake up, open their eyes, sniff something and leave running from their refuge. What will these creatures find this first day of spring? 4‐7yrs.
***
Krudop, Walter Lyon. Algo Esta Creciendo, (Something is Growing), translated by Rosa Zubizarreta, illustrated by Kimberly M. Adleman, Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Pub. Div., New York, 1995.
One morning little Pedro planted a seed in a small plot of land on a city street He watered it carefully until an extraordinarily beautiful and large plant grew. Busybody Mrs. Cardemino and her friend, the Professor, determined to learn how the exotic plant came to grow in the city. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Krull, Kathleen. Wilma sin Límites, (How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman), translated by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by David Diaz, Libros Viajeros, Harcourt, Inc. New York, 2000. The biography of Wilma Rudolph, how she overcomes many obstacles and difficulties, and becomes an Olympic champion. 6‐14 yrs.
*** Leaf, Munro. El Cuento de Ferndinando (The Story of Ferdinand), translated by Pura Belpré illustrated by Robert Lawson, The Viking Press, New York, 1962. In Spain most self‐respecting young bulls want more than anything else to be picked to fight in the bull fights in Madrid. But not Ferdinand! He preferred to sit quietly out under a tree, until his mother, “who was a cow,” was really worried about him. Then one day five men came down from Madrid. 6‐8 yrs.
*** Lewis, Thomas P. La Montaña de Fuego (The Mountain of Fire), translated by Osvaldo Blanco, illustrated by Joan Sandin. Harpo Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1997. This story is based on data about the volcanic eruption of Paricutin, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico on the 20th of Feb. 1943 in the corn fields of a Tarascan Indian named Dionisio Pulido. Although there were not any reported deaths, more than two thousand people lost their homes. According to history, the only other event witnessed by humans of a volcanic eruption occurred in the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Today people can visit Paricutin to see the volcano and as well as the abandoned town now buried under many layers of lava and carbonized ashes. 6‐8 yrs.
***
Libros en Español para los Pequeños, (Books in Spanish for Youngsters), Publisher copyright 1990, The New York Public Library, A listing of Picture books and Picture book editions of Hispanic folk and fairy tales proven to be favorites of children beginning to read in Spanish. Each entry contains the title, author, illustrator, publisher, date of publication, and country of origin as well as a brief annotation and age recommendations, 2‐4, 4 and up, for educators and parents.
*** Lopez‐Rodriguez, Americo, and Richard E. Contreras. La Cucarachita, Adapted and translated by Americo Lopez‐Rodriguez and Richard E. Contreras, illustrated by Thelma R. Martinez and Bea Bustamante, Whittier College Bilingual‐Bicultural Education Programs, Whittier, CA. This is recommended as pre‐reading bi‐lingual material to develop and expand listening and speaking skills of native Spanish speaking and native English speaking children. 6 yrs.
***
Lorca, Federico García. Canciones, poemas y romances para niños, (Songs, Poems, and Ballads for Children), Bibiloteca Básica, num. 1, Ediciones OCTAEDRO, S.L., Barcelona, Spain, First ed., 2002. A joyful and magnificent group of poems directed especially for young children by the great Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca. He captures the playful imaginative language, innocence, curiosity, and spirit of children. 6‐17 yrs.
*** Luenn, Nancy. La Cuenta de Nessa (Nessa’s Story), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Neil Waldman, Athenaeum, N. Y., 1994. For one whole winter Nessa, an Inuit (Eskimo) listens to the tales of her grandmother and now is anxious to narrate one her own. During the summer she searches for eggs in the tundra and finds a tale. When she’s enveloped in a fog, she discovers something quite mysterious. The fog fades away and Nessa is very impatient to tell her story about several unusual animals. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Luenn, Nancy. La Pesca de Nessa (Nessa’s Fish), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Neil Waldman, Athenaeum, N. Y., 1994. It’s autumn in the Artic and Nessa and her grandmother travel inland to the lake in order to fish. They catch more fish than they can handle and save them under a pile of rocks. That night Nessa’s grandmother becomes ill and Nessa has to take care of her grandmother and all the fish. During the whole following day Nessa has to protect the fish from foxes, wolves, and even a bear. The tale of how she can successfully frighten off the animals one by one and still protect her grandmother and fish is dramatically illustrated with authentic descriptions of life in the artic tundra. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Manushin, Fran. 101 Dalmatas, Libro para Contar, (101 Dalmatians, A Book to Read Out Loud), translated by Daniel M. Santacruz, illustrated by Russell Hicks, Disney Press, New York, 1994. A fire truck siren sets ninety‐nine Dalmatian poppies scattering all over the place while Perdita and Pongo tries to find them with the participation of Rogelio and Anita who learn to count from 1 to 101. 4‐8 yrs.
*** McGrath, Barbara Barbieri. Cuenta con el Béisbol (Count on Baseball), translated by Yanitzia Canetti, illustrated by Brian Shaw, Charlesbridge Pub., Watertown, MA, 2005. This is a by‐the‐numbers method on how to play and enjoy the game of baseball. 5‐8 yrs.
*** McNulty, Faith. Arturito, el Astuto, translated by Pura Belpre, illustrated by Albert Aquino, Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, New York, 1971. Astute Little Arthur could do just about everything to the admiration of all the other tiny fishes except make a tremendous leap out of the water and back. He needs more space to do it. One day he finds himself in the belly of a whale and finally success! 4‐8 yrs.
*** Minarik, Else Homelund. Osito, (Little Bear), translated by Pura Belpre, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Harper & Row, Pub. New York, 1969. This is a charming and an imaginative tale that narrates the adventures of Mama Bear and her Little Bear. 4‐7 yrs.
*** Monjo, F. N. La Osa Menor, Una historia del ferrocarril subterraneo, (Minor Bear Constellation, A story about the underground railroad), translated by Teresa Mlawer, illustrated by Fred Brenner, 1997. The Constellation Minor Bear guide a family of fugitive slaves to the home of the deacon Fuller, one of the stops of the railroad underworld. Will Tommy Fuller elude those searching for slaves or will the slaves be caught, ending their any hope of freedom? 7‐9 yrs.
*** Moroney, Lynn. Viborita de Cascabel, (The Little Rattlesnake), illustrated by Mira Reisberg, translated by Francisco X. Alarcon from the oral tradition of a Chickasaw native American, Te Ata, Children’s Book Press, San Francisco, California, 1996. This is what happens when someone gets something before they are prepared to receive it. The Baby Rattlesnake cried and cried because she does not have any rattler like all the other snakes. She would shake and shake her tail, but still no sound. The elders decide to test her to see how she would use a rattler. The Baby Rattlesnake is overjoyed with her new rattler but all the other snakes would chide her for behaving in such a silly manner. She is warned not to scare the beautiful daughter of a great Indian Chief. The daughter steps to pieces the Rattlesnake’s rattler.
*** Norma, Carmen. Rosita y Juanito, Libro Primero, (Rosita and Juanito, First Grade Book), Editorial F. Trillas, S.A., Mexico, 1969. This is an introduction to reading for first grade students with graphic drawings for each sentence. 6‐7 yrs.
***
Numeroff, Laura Joffe. Si le Das una Galleta a un Ratón, (If you give a Mouse a cookie), translated by Teresa Mlawer, illustrated by Felicia Bond, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1985. Should a small hungry traveler knock on your door, perhaps you may offer him a cookie. If you give a cookie, he will ask for a glass of milk. Moreover, he will want to look in the mirror to make sure that no milk remains on his moustache. And so begins the difficulties the boy encounters upon giving a lively mouse a cookie. 3‐7 yrs.
*** Palau, Antonio. Sistema Palau, Método Foftosilábico, 2a cartilla, Ediciones Anaya, S.A., Madrid, Spain 1970. The Palau method introduces syllabic phonemes to acquire reading and writing skills and habits for beginners. 6 yrs.
*** de Paola, Tomie. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, (Our Lady of Guadalupe), illustrated by Tomie de Paola, translated by Pura Belpré, Holiday House, New York, 1980. Traditional Mexican account of Juan Diego who in 1531 witnesses the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe as he leaves one morning for the Church of Santiago. He climbs a hill. He hears of flight of a flock of birds and sees a cloud of radiant colors. He then sees a lady dressed an Aztec princess who says she is the mother of God. Here begins the trials and tribulations of Juan Diego. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Peñaloza, Miguel. Alfa 3, Fichas de Trabajo, (Work Index), Editorial Universitario de América Ltd., Bogotá, Columbia, 1976. Workbook of writing exercises beginning with “Mi nombre completoes__________.” 7‐8 yrs.
***
Perkinson, Kathryn, ed. Como ayudar a sus hijos a usar la biblioteca, (How to Help Your Children Use the Library), illustrated by Brian Griffin, U.S. Dep. of Education, Washington, D.C. This book is directed for parents and teachers as a library guide for children 7‐8 yrs.
*** Pfister, Marcus. Destello, El Dinosaurio, (Destello, The Dinosaur), translated by Jose Moreno, Ediciones Norte‐Sur, New York, 1995. A brilliant egg hatches to reveal Destello, a dinosaur born with a magnificent crest. Born at the same time is Maia, the Maiasaurus, Destello’s playmate. They enter into a world of adventures and danger among the trees and rocks. Here they discover a giant but pleasant Stegosaurus, a hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex, and frightening Dragonsaurus. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Rey, H. A. Jorge el Curioso, (Curious George), translated by Pedro Villa Fernandez, Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, 1961. This is a bilingual book especially for children who want to learn Spanish as they enjoy the many amusing antics of Curious George. A complete vocabulary is located at the end of the book and Spanish phrases and expressions that may be unknown to the beginner are translated at the foot of each page.
*** Reyes, Alfonso. Alfonso Reyes para Niños, El cocinero de mi niñez, Semblanza Biográfica, De Varia Invención, Las Hijas del Rey de Amor, C.C.N.L., Nuevo Leon, Mexico, 1999. Stories with drawing by children of miniature castles, green lizards, and enchanted princesses are like colorful dreams and with many surprises. 4‐7 yrs.
*** del Rosario, Ruben and Freire de Matos, Isabel. ABC of Puerto Rico, illustrated by Antonio Martorell, Troutman Press, Sharon, Conn., 1968.
Each letter of the alphabet emphasizes in poetic form the cultural values and spirit of the people of Porto Rico. 6 yrs.
*** Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter y la Camara Secreta, (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), translated by Adolfo Munoz Garcia and Nieves Martin Azofra, Emece Editores Espana, S.A., Barcelona, Spain, 1998. After defeating Lord Voldemort, his sinister enemy, he waits impatiently at the house of his relatives until the second new school year begins at Hogwarts and is warned by an elf that a mortal threat is over the school. Not hesitating a second he flies off with his best friend Ron to Hogwarts to ward off the evil creatures set to destroy it. Without realizing that someone leaves open the Chamber of Secrets and lets out a series of dangerous monsters, Harry, Ron, and Hermione will have to confront giant spiders, enchanted serpents, furious ghosts, and above all, the very reincarnation of their most fearful adversary. 10‐15 yrs.
*** Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal, (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), translated by Alicia Dellepiane, Emece Editores Espana, S.A., Barcelona, Spain, 1997. Harry Potter, an orphan, lives with his abominable aunt, uncle, and Cousin Dudley until he learns he is accepted as a live‐in student at the Hogwarts School of magic and witchery. We follow the trials and tribulations of Harry as he learns he also is an authentic magician. 10‐ 15 yrs.
*** Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter y el Prisonero de Azkaban (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, translated by Adolfo Munoz Garcia and Nieves Martin Azofra, Emece Editores Espana, S.A., Barcelona, Spain, 1999. Due to the scar on his forehead, we learn that Harry Potter is not just any boy, but the hero who defeated Lord Voldemort, the fiercest magician of all time who caused the death of his parents, and destined to live with his awful relatives, each of them ‘muggles’…therefore, not magicians who despise Harry for his power of magic. Now
thirteen years old, alone and far from his Hogwarts friends, he argues with his mustached aunt Marge and turns her into a globe and flees in a magic bus. Meanwhile, and the prison of Azkaban, a terrible villain has escaped, Sirius Black, a serial killer with magic powers and an accomplice of Lord Voldemort and disposed to get rid of Harry from the face of the earth. And as if this were not enough, Harry also has to confront some terrible monsters, the “dementors” who are capable of robbing all happiness and memory from those who dare to look at them. What they do not realize is that Harry, with the help his faithful friends Ron and Hermione, is capable of everything and even more. 10‐15 yrs.
*** Sancho, Anthony. Mi Libro, with Teacher’s Edition, illustrated by Shirley Bean, publ. by San Bernardino County Schools, San Bernardino, CA. 1972. This is a reading primer in Spanish with pre‐reading practice workbook and with emphasis on motor skills as well as understanding concepts such as color, size, shapes, numbers and emotions. Muscular coordination is stressed practiced in the workbook for cursive writing as an integral part of the reading program. 6‐7 yrs.
***
Santilla, Everado Zapata. Silabario Disney, Basado en el Método “Coquito” del Profesor Everardo Zapata Santillana, Coleccion Disney Ensena, Ediciones Susaeta, S.A., Madrid, Spain, 1971. A beginning reader to learn the alphabet, illustrated with Walt Disney characters. 6 yrs.
*** Sarduy, Servero. Gatico‐Gatico, (Tiny, Tiny Kitten), illustrated by Patricio Gomez, Direccion General de Publicaciones del Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, Coyoacan, Mexico, 1994. The most delightful illustrations about a tiny cat, Gatico, who ventures into a world of wonders and adventures. 6‐10 yrs.
***
Selden, George. Un Grillo en Times Square, (A Cricket in Times Square), translated by Robin Longshaw, illustrated by Garth Williams, Mirasol/libros juveniles, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York, 1996. Chester Cricket comes to the bustle of Times Square in New York City as a tourist from the countryside of Connecticut and is fortunate to have as a guide Harry Cat and Tucker the Mouse. All three enjoy many adventures from the bright lights of Broadway to a dangerous fire. Chester’s other friend, Mario, rescues him from a filthy subway station and brings him to live in a newspaper stand. Mario discovers that Chester is more than just a cricket and mascot. Chester has a secret talent which enable even harden New Yorkers to learn from him. 8‐10 yrs.
*** Selsam, Millicent E. Teresita y las Orugas, (Terry and the Caterpillars), translated by Pura Belpre, illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Harper & Row, Pub., 1969. Terry learns to take care of caterpillars throughout the cycle of a moth from caterpillar to cocoon to moth to eggs. 5‐8 yrs.
***
Sexton, Colleen A. Arnold Schwarzenegger en Español, translated by Joela Quintana,, Lerner Publishing Co. Minneapolis, MN, 2005. This is a biography of Arnold Schwarzenegger, from his birth and life in Austria, his life and work in California, to becoming governor of the State. 12‐14 yrs.
*** Shulevitz, Uri. El Tesoro (The Treasure), translated by Maria Negroni, Mirasol/libros juveniles, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1991. Three times in a row, Isaac hears a voice in his dreams telling him to travel to the capital of the kingdom and search for a treasure under the bridge by the Royal Palace. Feeling somewhat foolish and ready to learn whether what he dreamt was really true, Isaac begins his journey at the end of which there is a surprise ending...that one does not have to travel far to find what we already have close to us. 6‐8 yrs.
***
Silva, Jose Ma. Sanchez. Marcelino, Pan y Vino (Marcelino, Bread and Wine), illustrated by Aguilar, Santan, Sinovas, Medrano y Aguirre, Editorial Minon, S.A., Valladolid, Spain, 1973. Marcelino, adopted by monks in a Spanish monastery, finds a figure of the crucified Christ in the attic and comes to have a dialogue with Him. He brings Him food and drink in the attic without the monks noticing. 12‐13 yrs.
*** Slobodkina, Esphyr. Se Venden Gorras, La historia de un vendedor ambulante, unos monos y sus travesuras, (Hats for Sale, the story of a traveling saleman, monkeys and their pranks), illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina, translated by Teresa Mlawer, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995. “Hats for sale! Hats for sale!” shout the sidewalk hat salesman as he balances a pile of hats on his head. He then takes a stroll along the countryside and has a nap under a tree after carefully making sure that the hats do not fall down. While asleep, some naughty monkeys steal all except one of his hats. When awake he struggles to get back all his hats. 6‐7 yrs.
*** Snyder, Carol. Una Arriba, Uno Abajo, (One up, One down), translated by Alma Flor Ada, Illustrated by Maxie Chambliss, Libros Colibrí, Athenaeum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1995. Since the arrival of Katie’s twin brothers, life has been topsy‐turvy. When one twin is up, the other is down, if one is wet, the other is dry. As she tries to help her parents with the care of the twins, she becomes more tired as they get into everything and notices as they grow, she becomes more and more like them. She eventually discovers her self in the midst of all the chaos. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Souci, Robert San. Los Peregrinos de N. C. Wyeth, (The Pilgrims of N. C. Wyeth), translated by Alberto Romo, illustrated by Met. Life Ins. Co., Lectorum Pub. Inc., New York, 1992.
The story describes the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, their settlement at Plymouth Rock, and life and customs as well as dealings with the Wampanoag Indian natives. All the illustrations are from fourteen murals executed by the artist N. C. Wyeth commissioned by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Spiegel, Alejandro, and Sergio Saposnic. Los Chicos y el Quijote, (Children and Don Quixote) Aventuras para Leer y Pensar sobre el original “El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha,” illustrated by Horacio Sánchez Fantino, Homo Sapiens Ediciones, Rosario, Argentina, 2000. The authors share with children and adolescents the delightful trials, tribulations, and adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in eight chapters with questions related to each chapter. Fragments of text written by Borges, Shakespeare, Kipling and Neruda who refer to this classic masterpiece are included. 12 and up.
*** Steig, William. Amos y Boris (Amos and Boris), translated by Maria Negroni, Mirasol/libros juveniles, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1992. Amos the mouse and Boris the whale are a pair of loyal friends with absolutely nothing in common except a good heart and desire to help each other. Amos fabricates a little boat called the Roedor, launches out to sea and shortly finds he needs to be rescued. Boris comes to the rescue. The day will come, well after Boris and Amos both return to the respective mode of living, when Amos the mouse has to find a way to rescue the enormous whale. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Steptoe, John. Stevie, translated by Teresa Mlavwer, illustrations by author, Harper Arco Iris, 1996. A little boy resents his younger foster brother but then misses him. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Swamp, Jake Cacique (Chief). Gracias Te Damos, (We Give you Thanks), illustrated by Edwin Printup, Jr., Lee & Low Books, Inc., 1996.
Native American Iroquois or Six Nations ceremony offered each morning to give thanks to Mother Earth and all living beings and to appreciate the great diversity of the marvels of Nature. 6‐10 yrs.
*** Terán, Sergio Suárez. Lírica Infantil Mexicana, (Mexican Lyrics for Youngsters), illustrated by I.N.B.A.L., Artes de Mexico, 1973. This book offers insights into a lovely collection of the folklore of Mexican children expressed in poetry and prose in Spanish, English, and French as well as many extraordinary drawings by children. 5‐12 yrs.
*** Torres, Leyla. Gorrión del Metro, (The Subway Sparrow), illustrated by Martha Rago, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1993. A sparrow is trapped in a New York City subway car. Who can help the frightened bird? Of the four people in the subway car, two speak Spanish, a gentleman with a hat who speaks English, and a lady knitting away who speaks Polish. Together they join forces to capture the swallow before the train arrives at the next station where a crow of people are waiting. 6‐7 yrs.
*** Torres, Leyla. Gorrion del Metro (The Subway Sparrow), Mirasol/libros juveniles, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1997. People, from different cultures and speaking in different languages, work together to rescue a frightened sparrow in a New York City subway car. 6‐8 yrs.
*** Udry, Janice May. Un Arbol es Hermoso, (A Tree is Beautiful), translated by Maria A. Fiol, illustrated by Marc Simont, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub., 1995. In an amusing fashion we see the beauty and poetry of a tree. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Vigil, Constancio C. Cartas a Gente Menuda (Letters for Small People), illustrated by Federico Ribs, Editorial Atlantida, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1941. A series of letters reveal situations of moral value such as respect and obedience towards parents, how to conduct yourself in school, how to make assumptions from the behavior of your classmates, when to talk and when to be silent, to help fellow classmates in their tasks, to return in good condition what is borrowed, etc. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Vigil, Constancio C. La Dientuda y Otros Cuentos, (The Bucktoothed Mouse and Other Stories), illustrated by Federico Ribas, Editorial Atlantida, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1942 The Bucktoothed Mouse and six other stories present a variety situations that captures the reader’s imagination, stories such as The Eggseller Frog, The Masked Men, The Little Hat, Mistress Simona, Strength in Union, If only we had a Goat! 6‐10 yrs.
*** Viorst, Judith. Alexander, Que era Rico el Domingo Pasado, (Alexander, who was Rich Last Sunday), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Ray Cruz, Athenaeum, Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1989. Poor Alexander! The only things he continues to have are bus passes until one Sunday his grandparents give Nick, Anthony and Alexander each a dollar. Alexander is determined to save it for a radio transmitter, but he finds himself in a quandary because he is tempted to buy so many other things. What should he do? 6‐12 yrs.
*** Viorst, Judith. Alexander y el Día Terrible, Horrible, Espantoso, Horroroso, (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Frightening Day), translated by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Ray Cruz, Athenaeum, Macmillan Publ. Co., 1989. Alexander realizes that it is going to be a terrible, horrible, frightening, and horrid day. He falls asleep with chewing gum still in his mouth. He wakes up with gum on his hair. His best friend leaves him alone and he does not have any dessert in his lunch box.
What can the boy do when this happens? Move to Australia? He then learns that there are days just like this, even in Australia. 6‐7 yrs.
*** Williams, Vera B. Algo Especial Para Mama, (Something Special for Mom), translated by Aida E. Marcase, Greenwillow Books, William Morrow & Co., New York 1994 Rosa has difficulty choosing a special birthday present to buy with the coins her mother and grandmother have saved, until she hears a man playing beautiful music on an accordion. 6‐12 yrs.
*** Zemach, Margot. Los Tres Deseos, un Viejo cuento, (The Three Wishes), translated by Aida E. Marcuse, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1993. A poor woodcutter and his wife rescues an elf trapped by a fallen tree. The elf grants them three wishes and shortly the wishes become a problem when a string of sausages stuck on the woodcutter noses. 4‐7 yrs.
*** Zemach, Margot. Siempre Puede Ser Peor, (It Can Always be Worst), from Yiddish folklore illustrated by Margot Zemach, translated by Aida E. Marcuse, Mirasol, libros juveniles, Farrar‐Straus‐Giroux, New York, 1991. A poor unfortunate man lives with his mother, wife, and six children in a small one room cabin. Given they live is such crowded quarters, the married couple argue a lot and their children shout and fight all the time, so much so the poor man can not stand it any longer and asks help of the local rabbi. As he follow the advice of the rabbi, life goes from bad to worst, from calamities to catastrophes, each one sillier and crazier than the other. 4‐8yrs.
*** Zion, Gene. Harry, el Perrito Sucio, (Harry the Dirty Dog), translated by Maria a. Fiol, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins, Pub., 1996.
Harry, a white dog with black spots, did not like to be bathed and would run away when he heard the water running in the bathtub. Harry would rather enjoy playing in dirty places, so dirty he would become all black with dirt. No one at home could recognize him because he was so dirty. The story reveals how he demonstrates who he truly is to his family. 5‐8 yrs.
*** Zion Gene. ¡Harry No Quiere Rosas!, translated by Maria A. Fiol, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham, Harper Arco Iris, HarperCollins Pub. Inc., 1997. Harry, a dog, receives a sweater with embroidered roses as a birthday present from Grandma. He does not like it at all, especially when children laugh at him when he wears it. He tries time and again to get rid of it but everyone would return it to him. A bit of yarn comes loose from the sweater as a bird takes hold of it and as he flies away the whole sweater unravels. As Harry, Grandma, and the children take stroll through the park, Harry barks at a tree to find several nests made from the yarn of his sweater. 4‐8 yrs.
*** Zolotow, Charlotte. El Señor Conejo y el Hermoso Regalo, (Mr. Rabbit and the Beautiful Present), translated by Maria A. Fiol, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Harper Arco Iris, Harper Collins Pub., 1995. A little girl, with the aid of Mr. Rabbit, tries to find the perfect gift for her mother’s birthday and is sure that her mother loves the color red, yellow, green, and blue. 4‐7 yrs. Spanish and Quechua (Inca Language) Carrion, Benjamin. Anocheció a la Mitad del Día, Cuento de la leyenda Saraguro, translated from the Quechua, Manuel Dia, illustrated by Eduardo Kingman, Ediciones del Sol Cia, Ltda., Editora Mantilla Hurtado S.A., Quito, Ecuador, 1984. Mana Panchita sings an Inca lullaby, after taking the heart out of a newborn vicuna, as she reads the future for Intip. She describes in detail the arrival and events of the Spanish conquistadors. 8‐12 yrs.
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Torres, Cesar Davila. El Brujo y el Diablo, Leyenda Otavaleña (The Witch and the Devil), illustrated by Gilberto Almeida E., Quicha trans. Manuel Diaz, Ediciones del Sol Cia., Ltda.., Quito, Ecuador. Each page offers two columns, one in Spanish with its equivalent translation in the Quechua language. A fusion of Spanish and Inca customs and traditions are narrated. A much esteemed and respected witch lives among the people. He is a healer and very charitable. He knows how to invoke prayers to the Inca god, Taita Imbabura and to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Although he is a poor witch, he never takes advantage of the fact that he knows where Inca treasures are to be found. He is especially cautious because the Supay, the Devil, guards the buried treasures. Everything changes once the drought takes over. 6‐12 yrs.