Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Every Day Is Grandparents' Day!
Whether they call them Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Pop Pop, or Abuelita and Abuelito, kids love their grandparents. By whatever name, grandparents are special to children, always ready with a hug. They often provide a link to a family's cultural heritage and native language, and they have lots of great stories to tell! These books about grandparents from around the world celebrate all that grandparents have to offer — and what their grandchildren offer them in return.
For more suggestions, take a look at the Great Books About Grandparents booklist from Reading Rockets!
A Perfect Season for Dreaming/Un tiempo perfecto para soñar
"Summer arrived gently, carrying a blue and cloudless sky, making it a perfect season for dreaming." So begins the story of Octavio Rivera's strange dreams of falling guitars and turtles that he shares only with his granddaughter. The compelling paintings of Esau Andrade Valencia, said to follow in Diego Rivera's footsteps, capture the fantastic nature of the dreams. Bilingual text.
A Walk With Grandpa/Un paseo con abuelo
As Daniela walks in the woods with her grandfather, they play a game in which they express how much they love each other. Children may wish to continue the game on their own with their family members after finishing the story! Colorful illustrations bring Daniela and her grandpa — as well as the surrounding forest, wildlife, and nearby wetlands — to life. Bilingual text.
Abuela
Rosalba imagines flying over New York City with her much loved abuela. The young girl uses a lovely mix of English and Spanish to describe their journey, moving from the busy streets of Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty. Brightly colored illustrations detail what Rosalba and her grandmother glimpse as they fly, and the rich tales of Abuela's memories. (Available in both English and Spanish).
Abuela's Weave / El Tapiz de Abuela
Esperanza is nervous as she and her grandmother weave tapestries with intricate designs to sell in the market. Will the people in the market still want to buy something handmade? Will they be scared by grandmother's birthmark? On market day, Esperanza feels alone, but soon realizes she has nothing to worry about after all. Gentle acrylic illustrations capture the Guatemalan countryside and busy market, as well as the beautiful fabrics central to the story. Spanish version available.
Braids / Trencitas
Meet Abuela and Isabela, who tell each other stories while Abuela braids and unbraids Isabela's hair every day. When Isabela discovers Abuela can't read, she finds a wonderful way to help her grandmother. Lovely illustrations bring Isabela and Abuela to life in this heartwarming book about the importance of passing down traditions across generations.
Going Home, Coming Home/ Ve Nha, Tham Que Huong
American born Ami Chi travels to her parents' native Vietnam, to visit her grandmother. There she finds that some things don't change — like friendship — even in a strange, new land. Bilingually told and illustrated by richly colored paintings, Ami's story has resonance.
Grandfather Counts
Helen has trouble communicating with her grandfather who has just moved to the United States from China. She speaks no Chinese, Gong Gong speaks no English. Nonetheless, they begin to learn from the other as they watch and count trains together.
Grandma Calls Me Beautiful
Beautiful asks Grandma to tell her their story, a story of bright eyes, swaying seaweed, and soft kapa cloth. No matter what, Grandma tells her granddaughter, she will be "Forever and for always, Beautiful." The lyrical text celebrates Hawaiian traditions and language, and watercolor illustrations evoke the lush hues of the Hawaiian islands.
I Love Saturdays y domingos
A girl visits both sets of grandparents on weekends. On Saturdays, she speaks English with Grandpa and Grandma, while on Sundays, los domingos, she speaks Spanish with Abeulito and Abeulita. The format provides a glimpse at the subtle differences between cultures and highlights their similarities, one of which is each set of grandparents' love for their granddaughter. Spanish words are interspersed in the fluid text.
Indian Shoes
Ray is a Seminole-Cherokee who lives with his grandfather in contemporary Chicago. In each of six short stories, Ray meets universally recognizable challenges though remains cognizant of his Indian heritage. Short stories are told with humor and compassion.
My Grandma/Mi Abuelita
It is time to visit Grandma! First a taxi, then an airplane, one more bus — and there she is! This book for young readers uses very simple bilingual text to follow the journey from home to Grandma’s front yard, telling the story with colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy poring over the detailed artwork, and readers will feel a glow when everyone is finally juntos — together.
My Tata's Guitar / La guitarra de mi tata
When a little boy explores his grandfather's garage, he finds a treasure — his grandfather's old guitar. He learns that the guitar has provided the music for Christmas posadas, love songs, and campfires. Nothing is more exciting for the boy, however, than the moment that his grandfather offers to teach him how to play his guitar. The story and illustrations offer a lovely tribute to Latino families and traditions. Bilingual text.
Nana's Big Surprise/Nana, ¡Qué sorpresa!
Nana has come to visit, but she is still so sad after the death of her beloved Tata. What can be done to make her feel better? Since Nana is an expert in raising chicks, perhaps a chicken coop filled with chicks will help! Amada Irma Pérez's story is based on her memories of the unforgettable time when her grandmother came to stay with her family after her grandfather's death. Maya Christina Gonzalez's vibrant illustrations combine acrylic paintings, photos, fabrics, beads, and paper into textured collages. Bilingual text.
The Day Gogo Went to Vote
Thembi lives in South Africa and spends a lot of time with her grandmother, Gogo. One day, Thembi's parents arrive at home excited because there will be elections for a new government. Gogo, who is one hundred years old and hasn't left the house for a long time, announces that she too will vote. This story of quiet determination pays tribute to the strength and wisdom of our elders, as well as the privilege of casting a ballot. Pastel sketches convey the joy and warmth of the bond between Thembi and Gogo.
The Most Beautiful Place in the World (El lugar más hermoso del mundo)
Now that Juan's mother has left him with his grandmother, he shines shoes to earn a living. More than anything else, though, 7-year old Juan wants to learn to read and go to school. Guatemala comes alive through the daily lives of Juan and his grandmother and the detailed black/white illustrations.
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Thank you for your resources and for making it easier for us to empower our students and their families...SI SE PUEDE!
~ Sylvia B.
